June 11, 1835. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
481 
entries in this clas3, Messrs. G. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, contributing very 
largely, to the extent and beauty of the display, and well won the premier 
award in the class for the best groups. Their Roses in pots were extremely 
Vood, compact bushes in admirable health, and loaded with large bright 
glooms. Very rarely indeed are Roses seen so handsome thus early. Juno, 
Edouard Morren, Ulrich Brunner, Centifolia rosea, Anna Olivier. Souvenir 
d un Ami, Madame Victor Verdier, and the charming miniature white Rose. 
Parqueritte were especially noteworthy amongst many others of great merit 
m the entrance tent some beautiful groups of dwarf and standard Rhodo¬ 
dendrons were arranged by the same firm, and included all the best of the 
varieties, some exceedingly bright in colour, and all bearing large dense 
heads of blooms. The second prize in this class was adjudged to Messrs. 
J. & J. Hayes, Edmonton, for groups of Pelargoniums, Cinerarias, Calceo¬ 
larias, Ageratums, and Fuchsias. The Pelargoniums, however, of the Zonal 
and decorative show types ware uncommonly handsome, and formed one of 
the finest groups of the kind that we have seen. Particularly notable 
amongst the first named was a variety nam°d Robert Hayes, of an extremely 
rich bright rose pink, the flowers large, well formed, and the truss very full; 
the habit is compact and free. It will prove a most useful variety for 
ornamental, purposes, and well deserved a certificate. One variety amongst 
the decorative show forms was named Fanny, and was both distinct and 
beautiful. The flowers are pale delicate pink with a deep red blotch in the 
sapper petals, the margin undulated, and the trusses large. Extra prizes 
were awarded to Mr. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, for a large collection of 
Pelargoniums, hardy plants, Roses, and Palms, and to Messrs. Cutbush and 
Son, Highgate, for a handsome group of stove and greenhouse plants, the 
Ericas being uncommonly well grown and freely flowered. A class was also 
provided for groups of fiftv plants in pots, in which the first prize was 
won by Mr. Rochford with fine examples of Rhodanthes, Fuchsias, Calceo¬ 
larias, and Mignonette. In the gardeners’ class Messrs. Turk, Keers, and 
Green were the prizewinners with tasteful groups. 
Stove and Greenhouse Plants. —The principal class in this section 
of the schedule was that for twelve specimens, and though there were only 
two competitors the plants entered by both were very healthy, and those 
with which Mr. Donald, gardener to J. G. Barclay, Esq., Leyton, gained the 
leading prize were especially so. They are very much in the style of Messrs. 
Cypher’s plants, not so large, but equally fresh, even, and well flowered, and 
exactly what such plants ought to be. The best of the plants were Erica 
temula globular in form, about 3 feet in diameter, and covered with flowers. 
Stephanotis floribunda was similarly fine ; Aphelexis purpurea, globular, 
very even, and beautiful; Statice profusa, Boronia pinnata, Ixora Fraseri, 
all good; and Rhododendron odoratum, 4 feet in diameter and splendidly 
flowered. Mr. Donald is well known as a careful gardener and skilful 
plantsman, but he has never given better examples of his abilities in plant 
culture than the plants at the Waltham Abbey Show, and it is regretable 
that such specimens are not more fr quently seen at exhibitions instead of 
huge plants in poor condition. Mr. James was placed second with plants 
that have gained him several honours this year and which still appear but 
little the worse for their travel. 
Fine-foliage Plants. —Repeating his success in the preceding class, 
Mr. Donald secured first honours with twelve specimen fine-foliage plants, 
well grown healthy examples of the following :—Croton variegatus, Latania 
borbouica, Phyllotaenium Lindeni, Anthurium crystallinum, Dracaena 
Baptisti, Croton angustifolius, Cycas revoluta, Chamaerops humilis, Croton 
pictus, and Dasylirion acrotrichum ; the Cycas and the Dasylirion were 
wery handsome and of considerable size. Mr. C. Rann, gardener to J. 
Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, lost the premier prize by a few 
points only, for his plants were of great merit, and in much better condition 
than such large plants are usually seen. Particularly good were Cyca3 
circinalis, Croton albicans, Beaucarnea recurvata, Alocasia metallica, 
Dieffenbachia illustris, Bonapartea ptricta, and Kentia Belmoreana. Mr. 
Turk, gardener to W. Melles, Esq., Sewardstone Lodge, Chingford, took the 
third place with large handsome plants, amongst them being an example of 
Beaucarnea recurvata 8 feet high. An extra prize was awarded to Mr. H. 
-James, whose principal plant was Stevensonia grandifolia. A class was 
provided for five foliage plants in which several local gardeners competed. 
Mr. Turk was the most successful, taking the first place with well-grown 
Palms and a fine Yucca aloifolia variegata. Mr. Riding, gardener to R. 
Edwards, Esq., Beech Hill, Langton,and Mr. Gilks, gardener to A. Borwick, 
Esq , Higham Hill, Walthamstow, were second and third respectively, 
showing large healthy plants. 
Ferns were represented by several notable collections, especially in the 
class for ten plants, the best of which were from Mr. Rann, and included 
■the la r gs specimens that are so well known at exhibitions, and which have 
gained him so many honours. Davallia Mooreana, Gleichemas flibellata, 
rupestris, and Mendeli, were the principal, though Lomaria Yroomi and 
Dicksonia squarrosa were also fine plants. The second place was taken by 
Mr. Donald, whose plant*, like those already noted, were remarkable for 
thffr vigorous health. Mr. Turk gained the third prize, and Mr. Green, 
gardener to J. Warren, Esq., Capel House, an extra prize. With four 
Ferns Mr. Riding was the leading exhibitor, having Adiantum formosum in 
capital condition. 
Caladiums were admirably shown by several gardeners, but those from 
Mr. Turk were of exceptional merit, large with well-developed foliage, and 
richly coloured. They easily won the first prize in the class for ten plants, 
the best varieties being Pyrrhus, red and green ; Herold, white and green ; 
Lnddemanni, white, green, and red ; Mr. A. Hardy, similar colours ; Can- 
didum, white and green ; Sirius, red and green ; Mithridate, red and green ; 
Arcemise and CooUesse de Maille. These were the best plants we have 
ee “n this season, and very rarely are such well-grown samples staged at 
exhibitions. The same exhibitor was also first with three Caladiums, and 
was followed in each class by Mr. Ridding, with smaller, but brightly 
coloured plants. Mr. Keers, gardener to F. Cater, Esq., Durrants, Enfield, 
being third with the triplet. Mr. Rann had a very pretty half-dozen Crotons, 
dwarf and brightly coloured examples of volutus, Henryanus, Morti, varie¬ 
gatus, and Cooperi. 
Orchids. —There was not a large display of these plants, but those 
shown were well-flowered, and several good varieties were represented. 
Mr. Gilks was the leading exhibitor, taking first with ten and six plants, 
having the following — Cymbidium Lowianum, two spikes of thirty-two 
flowers each; Odontoglossum Halli, three spikes ; Lycaste Skinneri, a 
pretty variety ; Masdevallia Veitchiana ; Cymbidium eburneum ; Lmlia purpu- 
rata, a good variety ; Odontoglossum Alexandras, Dendrobium nobile, Mas¬ 
devallia Lindeni, flowering freely ; Cattleya lobata. Mr. Rann was the 
only exhibitor of five Orchids, and was awarded the first prize, his best 
plants being Cypripediums barbatum giganteum and nigrum, Aerides 
odoratum, and Cattleya Mossiae. 
An excellent collection of hardy alpine plants gained Messrs. Paul and 
Son the premier prize in that class, a large number of choice and beautiful 
species and varieties being included, similar to those which have been so 
much admired at Kensington recently. Mr. Gilks also had a good selection 
in his second-prize group. 
Cut flowers were shown by Mr. Green, Mr. Gilks, and Mr. Cornish, 
gardener to J. Downing, Esq., The Shrubbery, Enfield. Grapes were not of 
remarkable merit. Mr. Green had the only white Grapes, being first with 
Buckland Sweetwater, and Mr. Herrington, gardener to Mrs. Chisenhall 
Marsh, Stanstead House, Stanstead, was first with Black Hamburghs in the 
other class. Extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Rochford for good Melons 
and Cucumbers, and to Mr. Hamilton for some handsome Tomatoes and 
Cucumbers. Vegetables were not abundant, Messrs. Stratford, Green, and 
Herrington taking the prizes for collections with clean well-grown speci¬ 
mens. 
Miscellaneous exhibits comprised a handsome group of stove and green¬ 
house plants from Mr. B. S. Williams, which occupied considerable space 
in the second marquee from the entrance, and was greatly admired each day 
by the numerous visitors. An extra prize was awarded to Messrs. T. Rivers 
and Son, Sawbridgeworth, for a most interesting group of fruit trees in pots, 
comprising Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Pears, and Apples, mostly well loaded 
with fruits. Black Biggareau Cherries were uncommonly fine. Rivers’ 
Early Favourite Plums, Hale’s Early Peach, Belle Dubois Apple, Pitmaston 
Duchesse Pear, and White Marseilles Fig were also evidently well suited for 
culture in pots. 
THE HERBACEOUS PLANT BORDER. 
Seeing that the old-fashioned flowers are again occupying the 
positions in gardens as they did in days of yore, when nought else 
could vie with them, it is only fair to assume that hardy herbaceous 
perennials to a very great extent are indispensable in gardens where 
beauty and grace combined with a lengthened period of blooming are 
to be had. Fashion, which has played her part in sweeping hardy 
perennials from her sight, seems now to be exerting similar force in 
favour of their more extended cultivation. It is now some years since 
the revival of hardy plants set inland one of the greatest proofs that 
can be adduced in support of them is to be gleaned from the number of 
nurserymen who are either making their cultivation a leading feature 
or devoting their whole time to them. Perhaps some will remark that 
this is only one department out of the many in gardening ; true, but 
it is one also from which a maximum amount of pleasure may be 
derived, and that at a minimum cost. It is the class of gardening for 
the million of persons who, having a love of gardening at heart, 
cannot afford the expense of greenhouses or heated structures wherein 
to grow the flowers of their choice. 
But I must not longer dwell on preliminaries such as these, for 
my intent when I tool$. pen in hand was to say a few words, and if 
possible to give a few hints, to any who may be interested in hardy 
plant culture. First, then, with respect to planting, on which many 
opinions exist. From years of practical experience among these 
plants I am convinced that no time is better suited for planting the 
great majority of hardy perennials than a showery April or the early 
part oc May. At this time new roots are being formed freely ; and 
this, coupled with the warm showers and sunshine which are in¬ 
variably experienced at this season, soon promotes new and active 
growth above and below. Spring-planted perennials, too, have the 
additional advantage of making fine plants ere the autumn arrives, 
and these having become thoroughly established in their respective 
places, are calculated to endure far greater hardships with impunity 
than those planted in autumn, which have to lie dormant for several 
months. Not only this, but the soil itself is naturally in a better con¬ 
dition for planting. Still, there are many for which autumn planting 
is very essential, as e.g. herbaceous Pieonies, which may be planted 
any time from October to February, and there are many others whose 
constitutions are so extremely robust and hardy that they may be 
planted on any showery day in the year. 
It is surprising that few know anything of a collection of herba¬ 
ceous plants beyond the ordinary border plants such as Phloxes, 
Irises, Delphiniums, and Pseonies. Still, this very point— i.c., an 
insufficient knowledge of the plants themselves, has debarred many 
from enjoying them ; year by year they are, however, becoming more 
generally known and appreciated. The grand collections of hardy plants 
which are brought together at our leading exhibitions afford visitors 
an excellent opportunity of extending their knowledge and likewise in 
making a selection. The conferences are assisting in the same 
direction. Daffodils have received much attention, the Primulas are to 
be treated in the same way, and later on the genus Lilium might 
form another fit subject for thought and discussion. 
The extent to which a garden may be beautified for a great part of 
the year when planted exclusively with hardy plants is only known to 
the few that have for years made them their special study, for we 
