THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 
ivy-leaf varieties we have yet seen, and we hope to 
figure it shortly. The same award was made to Spirea 
aruncus astilboides, a beautiful, hardy, Japanese plant 
from the alpine province of Nambu, in the north of 
Nippon. It grows about two feet high, and has 
ternately bipinnate-toothed leaves, the terminal leaflets 
of which are larger, ovate-accuminate, the lateral ones 
smaller and rounder ; the plumy-white iniloresence 
forms a twice-branched spicate panicle, and is very 
showy and attractive. This new spirea may be de- 
scribed as a dwarfer and more refined form of S. 
Aruncus. This came from Mr. William Bull, Chelsea. 
A new Ismene, named Sulphur Queen, shown by 
Colonel Trevor-Clarke, received a similar award. It 
was bred between I. Aurancies and I. Calathina, and 
is a showy, bulbous plant, of rather tall growth, re- 
markable for the prettily-fringed, pale, lemon-coloured 
cup of its showy blossoms. Decorative Pelargonium 
Eclipse was similarly distinguished. It is one of some 
fine seedlings raised by Mr. W. Brown, Hendon, a 
good free-blooming variety, with bright, crimson- 
coloured flowers of good form, bearing a black spot on 
each petal ; those on the upper larger, and those on 
the lower petals of smaller size. The same award was 
made to variegated tricolor Pelargonium Mrs. G. 
Garraway, a bright- coloured variety, the leaves marked 
with a broad, well-defined crimson zone, here and 
there splashed with dark, and a creamy yellow edge, 
the habit free and short-jointed. It was shown by 
Mr. G. Garraway, Lower Swainswick, Bath. 
One or two interesting new forms of Japanese 
maples were shown by Messrs. Veitch and Sons; but 
they were not sufficiently developed to judge accurately 
of their character. The same exhibition had a prettily- 
variegated Japanese oak, named Quercus cuspidata 
argenteo-variegata, in the form of small plants, with 
neat ovate cuspidate leaves, freely edged with creamy- 
white ; this also was too miniature, to judge accurately 
of its merits. A coleus, with fringed leaves, came from 
Mr. King, Wray Park, Reigate, named Adelaide 
Baxter, a very pretty sort, with the mid-rib and veins 
crimson on a maroon ground, and the marginal teeth 
edged with green ; and though not certificated, it was 
much admired. 
Aubrietias. — It would be difficult to name a more 
useful class of hardy spring flowering plants than the 
aubrietias ; and as some successful attempts to improve 
them have been made of late, it is well to refer to 
them, so that in the pages of a journal like the Floral 
Magazine, whose leading aim it is to keep its readers 
informed as to the novelties constantly being intro- 
duced, the homely aubrietia may not be overlooked. 
Up to recently A. Grseca was the newest and finest 
form of the purple-flowered aubrietias. Then came A. 
Eyrei, larger and deeper in colour, and being a vigorous 
grower, produces large and striking trusses of flowers. 
The latest new type is A. Yiolacea, very rich in colour, 
which is clear violet purple, showing a much greater 
depth of hue than any which has preceded it, and being 
of a close and compact habit of growth, is well adapted 
for culture in pots under glass in a cold house in early 
spring. 
While efforts are being made to obtain greater depths 
of colour in the aubrietias, Mr. William Ingram, of 
Bel voir Castle Gardens, and others, have been endea- 
vouring to obtain flowers of pink shades, and have been 
fairly well successful. It only remains for them to 
improve on what they have already done, and then we 
may look for pink as well as for violet-coloured 
aubrietias in our gardens. We have this season grown 
in pots a few seedlings of pink shades, and were much 
pleased with them. 
Aubrietias will grow well in cool, moist, shady spots 
where other things do not flourish. Unless the posi- 
tion be an open and sunny one to some extent, 
aubrietias do not bloom so well, though they will grow 
luxuriantly. On sunny slopes, and on rockwork, the 
aubrietias flower surprisingly free, but the plants must 
not be allowed to suffer from drought. But, in all 
cases the plants need strengthening soil, or they cannot 
be expected to thrive thoroughly well, and they should 
be freely watered in dry weather. 
Now is a good time to propagate aubrietias, by 
pulling the plants to pieces, and planting them in store 
beds, using a nice light, free, gritty soil, and treading 
the soil firmly about them. It is not material that the 
divided pieces be rooted. They will soon put forth 
roots, and grow into nice compact clumps, and be fit 
to plant out anywhere. At Belvoir Castle Mr. Ingram 
uses the aubrietia largely in his spring gardening ar- 
rangements, and with great success and charming 
effects. 
Then the aubrietia is a thoroughly hardy plant. The 
keenest frost does not in any way impair its beauty 
and usefulness ; in the dead of winter it forms green 
tufts, clothing rockwork with grace, and giving a 
cheerful appearance to otherwise barren spots. 
