Plate 117 . 
HIPPEASTRUM HENDERSONII. 
The splendid bloom hei'e figured is selected from a magnificent group of seedlings, raised 
from Hippeastrum pardinum, by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, of the Wellington 
Nurseries, St. John’s Wood. H. pardinum was figured by us in our sixth volume, Plate 344; 
and on reference to this figure it will at once be seen what a grand improvement has been 
made upon the old plant by Messrs. Henderson, both in size, perfection of form, and rich 
coloration. The individual blossoms of this plant are remarkably large, finely expanded, and 
measure from six to nine inches in diameter ; the ground colour is creamy -white, sometimes 
showing a suggestion towards a very pale buff’, and handsomely banded and spotted for three- 
fourths of its length with rich velvety crimson on a whitish base, which base forms an elegant 
star in the centre of the flower. The flower scape, which rises from eighteen inches to two 
feet in height, is usually furnished with three of these grand blooms. Out of five or six 
varieties of H. pardinum the present one shows by far the most free-flowering habit; bulbs of 
the second year scarcely offer an exception wherein the bloom is not produced ; and its 
readiness to flower throughout the winter by a succession of bulbs is a most valuable feature 
in its habit, and makes the plant a valuable one for producing a fine effect in the conservatory 
and drawing-room, or for the centre of a bouquet of flowers in the vase or hanging basket. 
This fine bulb only requires the temperature of a warm greenhouse for its culture, where 
it soon forms a very vigorous growth ; the soil or compost suitable for it is two-thirds of rich 
good-bodied, friable, turfy loam, and one-third leaf-mould. After the bloom is past, the 
leaf-growth is best encouraged by a warm atmosphere until it shows symptoms of maturity 
and decay ; after which water is gradually withheld, and the bulbs allowed a perfect rest in 
a temperature of average summer heat, until it is again required to stimulate the plants for 
succession bloom. 
Plate 118 . 
HYACINTH— ANNA. 
For the first time since 1S61, when the Floral Magazine was established, we 
figure a Hyacinth of such noble proportions that even the present enlarged size of our Plates 
proves quite insufficient to show the spike in its entirety; we, therefore, give a supplemental 
woodcut to a small scale on page 16, from which a good idea may be gained of the habit 
of the magnificent single white variety here figured. Anna formed one of the collection 
of Hyacinths which carried off the first prizes, and was shown by Messrs. Veitch and Son, of 
Chelsea, at the Exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society on March the ISth last. The 
entire Horticultural press spoke in the highest terms of this hyacinth, and our figure 
of it is in no way exaggerated. The Journal of Horticulture (March 19), in reporting 
on this plant, says: — “ Anna is a grand advance in colour — an enormous single 
white — immense spike — bells fully tioo and one-half inches across — a grand flower 
and Messrs. Veitch themselves, who have succeeded in carrying off the first prizes for the last 
four seasons, consider it the best new hyacinth which has been yet introduced. Little 
description of this grand plant is necessary, as our figure speaks for itself ; the individual 
bells, which were of ivory whiteness, looked almost like white lilies ; this white colour had 
the faintest possible blush of pale buff (as is seen in some varieties of ivory), whilst the firm 
substance of the petals was all that could be desired in a thoroughly perfect flower. 
