April 17, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
809 
it flowers regularly and freely every year if moderately sheltered. 
Though less conspicuous than many of its taller relatives, yet as a margin 
to large beds of Rhododendrons or other shrubs it is most valuable ; and 
when in good condition in such situations is invariably admired. 
The species is a native of the Sikkim Himalayas, where it was found 
by Dr. Hooker in 1850 growing, as he has stated, on “ rocky depressed 
ridges in Sikkim and Bhotan, 10,000 to 12,000 feet above the level of the 
sea.” Seeds were sent to Kew in 1850, and the first plants flowered 
there in a cool greenhouse in March, 1853. Plants were also tried out of 
doors, but did not flower until some time after, though specimens near 
the cool fernery now flower readily every season. There has thus been 
abundant time for it to become known in gardens, 'but it is yet far 
from being common, though its near relation, R. ciliatum, is a familiar 
plant. 
R. glaucum is dwarf in habit, rarely exceeding 3 feet in height, and 
is usually much less ; it is compact, branching freely, and the bright 
brown branches are well clothed with neat glaucous green lanceolate 
leaves 3 to 4 inches long. The corollas are bell-shaped, 1J inch across, 
shallow, with rounded lobes, and are of bright reddish-rose’ tint in the 
ud, but lighter when expanded, sometimes having quite a purplish hue. 
The flowers are borne in heads of five to eight at the apex of the branches, 
and are slightly nodding. In a synopsis of the species of Rhododendrons 
Fig. 76.—Rhododendron glaucum. 
found in Sikkim by Dr. Hooker, and published in the Horticultural 
Society’s Transactions for 1852, this species is associated with R. Dal- 
housise, R. Edgeworthi, R. barbatum, R. ciliatum, and R. pumilum in a 
group which forms the third of a series of eight under which the twenty- 
eight species from that district are arranged. These are distinguished 
by the following characters :—“ Calyx of five leaves, or deeply five- 
lobed ; corolla, funnel or bell-shaped ; stamens, ten or eighteen ; ovary, 
five or six-celled. Trees or shrubs ; sometimes epiphyte, with the leaves 
often covered with small scales.” 
PRIMULAS. 
This is without doubt one of the most interesting and at the 
same time highly decorative groups of spring-flowering plants, 
being alike valuable for the rock garden, the border, or for the 
embellishment of the cool greenhouse or conservatory; and being 
in the majority of instances of comparatively easy culture is at 
once a strong recommendation, favouring their more extended 
cultivation. It has upon more than one occasion been contended 
that some soil or combination of soils must be had for the suc¬ 
cessful culture of many species; but to lay down any hard-and- 
fast rule as to soil (which, by the way, only plays one part in 
connection with the cultivation of a plant) without having regard 
to situation, altitude, and so on, is an error of not unfrequent 
occurrence. Still the vast importance attaching to these seem¬ 
ingly minor particulars should receive due consideration in the 
planting, not only of the various species of Primula, but of all 
alpine plants which are fastidious as to soil or situation. Take, 
for example, that lovely species P. sikkimensis, which under 
cultivation in this country is rarely seen in good condition. In 
its mountain home it inhabits wet boggy situations and attains 
a height of 2 feet and upwards. Take it without considering 
the conditions under which it luxuriates in its Indian home, and 
plant it in an exposed dry position on the rockery, and failure 
or perhaps death will ensue. Here, then, is a case in point 
where a plant, being deprived of one of the conditions in which 
it delights, fails; whereas if the soil was the all-important point 
this might be supplied it in any position we may choose to place 
it, but it is not so. Other conditions must harmonise with the 
soil to insure success. We cannot, it is true, imitate the great 
elevations at which many plants are found; but this seems the 
least important condition, inasmuch that the great majority of 
plants found growing at such great elevations readily submit to 
lower altitudes, and consequently temperatures equally variable ; 
yet the conditions of sun, shade, or moist-loving should be duly 
considered, and next to these that of soil. Taken as a whole 
the genus Primula delights in and requires a deep soil, and to 
this may be added, at least for the strong-growing species, a 
fairly rich compost. I will not longer dwell on j reliminaries 
such as these, but which, by the way, must not be overlooked, 
but will give a brief account of some of the most noteworthy 
species and also the conditions under which they best succeed. 
Primula, capitata. —A rare and handsome 
species from the Himalayas and one of the most 
distinct, having numerous heads of rich indigo- 
blue flowers borne on mealy stems a foot in 
height. A profuse bloomer, succeeding in a> 
mixture of loam and peat. The latter should be 
rough and fibrous, and should be added at about 
one-sixth to that of loam, avoiding manure un¬ 
less thoroughly decomposed. In some localities 
this species thrives and seeds freely in retentive 
soils. This, however, is the exception rather 
tipiipilfcg- than the rule, for a partially shady position on 
yUKSw the rock, where it will enjoy the cool side of a 
jjjjjlr stone, it will invariably thrive, 
jjp^ P. cortusoides. —This distinct species hails 
from Siberia, and is at once distinguished by its 
soft somewhat downy leaves, which strongly 
resemble the Cortusa, and hence its specific name. 
Its deep rosy clusters of flowers are borne on 
^ stalks from 6 inches to a foot in height, and 
j|k among the earliest of spring-flowering plants. 
Illk Care should be taken in planting to fix it in a 
jjjjjglj, somewhat sheltered nook in the rock garden 
Hill where it is safe from biting winds, for though 
perfectly hardy it is often disfigured by being 
planted in a position too exposed. It succeeds 
well in a mixture of equal parts of loam, leaf 
soil, and peat made fairly rich, and with a liberal 
addition of good sharp grit. 
P. cortusoides AMfflXA. —For some time this was believed 
to be only a variety of the preceding, though a very distinct 
one; but now it is generally recognised as P. Sieboldi, and was 
originally introduced as P. amcena, a Caucasian species, winch, 
so far as I know has not yet found its way into English gardens. 
Be this as it may, there is no doubt but that P. feieboldi is 
destined to become one of the most popular plants for either 
greenhouse or border decoration. It seems to thrive in almost 
any situation, and prefers a comparatively rich soil in a moist 
well-drained situation. While the plant is yet dormant a iop- 
dressing of thoroughly well-rotted manure, leaf soil, or spent 
hops will be found highly beneficial. This method is prefeiable 
to any other for this individual species on account of its spiead- 
ing habit of growth. It makes a most magnificent bed if allowed 
to remain undisturbed: its light magenta flowers produced on 
stems a foot in height have a telling effect. The varieties ot 
this plant are already numerous, and are equally hardy and 
vigorous as the type. Among the best are grandiflora alba, ot 
the purest white ; lilacina, lilac suffused with white ; intermedia, 
similar in colour to the type; and Ruby, deep red. This oi all 
Primulas is of the easiest culture, and should find a place m 
every garden large or small. . 
P. denticulata. — That this well-marked and vigorous species 
should not receive the attention it deserves at the hands of all 
lovers of gardening remains a mystery. In it we have a tho¬ 
roughly hardy and decorative plant of high standing, and those 
whose attention is so much turned to spring gardening are 
annually losing a golden opportunity by shutting out a p.ant so 
admirably adapted in every respect for that purpose. It may 
