JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 29, 1882. ] 
585 
Taxodium sempervirens alba spica, the Golden Ivy (Hedera arborea 
aurea), and the dwarf small-leaved Euonymus microphylla were espe¬ 
cially noteworthy amongst the plants employed, a band of the last- 
named forming a pretty margin. Messrs. Osborn & Sons, Fulham, 
staged a small but choice collection of hardy plants, comprising many 
beautiful rarities and novelties, the large purple-flowered Geranium 
platypelatum, the blue Phyteuma Halleri, the variegated Hedera Helix 
madeirensis, with several Campanulas, being particularly noteworthy. 
Mr. H. Howell had a novel group, consisting chiefly of bronze and 
tricolor Pelargoniums in panels, edged with Selaginella and having 
a background of Palms and Crotons. Extra prizes were also accorded 
to Mr. J. Roberts of Gunnersbury Park for a tasteful group of Crotons, 
Dracaenas, Caladiums, and Gloxinias ; to Mr. J. R. Starling for a 
collection of well-coloured Coleuses ; and to Mr. May, The Gardens, 
Chiswick House, for a small but neat group of flowering plants. 
Stove and greenhouse and fine-foliage plants were not largely 
represented, the leading awards being gained by C. Bown, Esq., 
Gunnersbury, Messrs. Hooper, Brown, and Fromow, who had speci¬ 
mens of moderate size but healthy, and in some cases very well 
flowered; a large globular specimen of Hoya carnosa from Mr. 
Bown, and a fine example of Phyllotsenium Lindeni from Messrs. 
Hoopers, being the most noteworthy. Ferns were admirably shown 
as regards fresh healthy condition, and it is far more satisfactory to 
see small vigorous plants than huge specimens in doubtful health. 
Messrs. G. Stevens were the prizewinners in that order with six 
exotic Ferns, the first-named having Thamnopteris nidus, Adiantum 
concinnum, and Dicksonia antarctica well represented, the second- 
prize collection including a good specimen of the distinct Adiantum 
caidiochlsena. In the corresponding amateurs’ class Messrs. J. 
Coombes, The Gardens, Sheen House, Watts, and Bown were the 
successful competitors, taking the awards in the order named. Mr. 
Watts also had the best collection of Selaginellas—conical specimens 
2 feet or more in height. Some smaller classes for Gloxinias, Tuberous 
Begonias, and cut flowers were also fairly filled. 
Bouquets and stands of flowers were very numerous, some in each 
class possessing great merit. For three bouquets in the open class 
Mr. W. Brown secured the chief prize for well-arranged combinations 
of Tuberoses, Stephanotis, Gardenias, and Bouvardias, with sufficient 
Fern fronds to lighten the effect agreeably. Mr. J. Prewett, Ham¬ 
mersmith, was second with neat bouquets, but rather spoiled by large 
Eucharis blooms in the centre, and the same defect prevailed in the 
third-prize bouquets from Mr. J. Curtis of Richmond, the Eucharises 
and blooms of Gladiolus Colvillei albus forming the greater portion 
of the design, and imparted a rather rough and heavy appearance to 
them. In the class for a stand or vase of flowers from lady sub¬ 
scribers only Miss E. S. Lawrence, Hammersmith, secured the chief 
position with a simple but charmingly filled trumpet-shaped vase 
having three branches, the centre and side tubes being occupied with 
pink Zonal Pelargonium blooms, white Marguerites, Fern fronds, and 
Grasses most tastefully and freely arranged. The base was filled 
with Water Lilies and white Cactus blooms. Second honours were 
gained by Miss M. E. Bown, who also had a pretty design but not 
quite so simple as the other ; Tuberous Begonias, Rhodanthes, Mar¬ 
guerites, Gladiolus, Begonia weltoniensis, and Lilies were the prin¬ 
cipal flowers employed. In the open class for a vase of flowers Mr. 
W. Brown won the premier award for an effective and bright arrange¬ 
ment of numerous flowers, such as Rhodanthes, Centaureas, Bougain¬ 
villeas, and Begonias, with Passifloras and Water Lilies at the base. 
Pendent blooms of Lapagerias from the side branches of the stand 
added greatly to the beauty of the design. Mr. Sutton Abbott, 
Wanstead, was a close second, and Mr. J. Curtis took the third posi¬ 
tion, both having praiseworthy stands. Though not in competition, 
two of the most tasteful contributions were three stands of miscel¬ 
laneous flowers and one of hardy flowers from Mrs. Barron of Chiswick, 
which were deservedly highly commended by the Judges. The one 
containing the hardy flowers was particularly pretty, with tall spikes 
of a white Digitalis in the centre, and Campanulas, yellow Aquilegias, 
Sweet Sultan, and Yiolas at the side and base. The three stands 
were also extremely beautiful, the side ones having each a small 
central Cocos Weddelliana surrounded at the base by Roses, white 
Marguerites, and Gloxinias, the central stand having a trumpet tube 
filled with white and yellow Marguerites, with a base of Begonias, 
Stephanotises, Fern fronds, and Mignonette. 
Fruit and vegetables were not shown by many exhibitors, but the 
latter were better represented than the former. Mr. B. Hardy won in 
the class for two bunches of black Grapes with fine examples of black 
Hamburgh, the berries large and well coloured. For white Grapes 
Mr. Coombe obtained a similar position with excellently ripened 
bunches of Muscat of Alexandria of moderate size. The principal 
vegetable class was for nine dishes, Mr. Coombe securing chief honours 
for a fine even collection. In the class for six dishes Messrs. Richard¬ 
son of Lincoln, Donaldson, and Hardy were the prizetakers, all show¬ 
ing well. Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, offered prizes for the best 
collection of vegetables (six dishes), the leading prize being awarded 
to Mr. Coombe for well-grown clean samples of Telegraph Peas, White 
Spine Cucumbers, Myatt’s Ashleaf Potatoes, and Artichokes amongst 
others. Messrs. J. Carter & Co., Holborn, also offered prizes for the 
best collection of Peas, comprising fifty pods each of their Stratagem, 
Telephone, Telegraph, and Pride of the Market. Mr. Richardson 
gained the chief award for very fine pods ; Mr. G. "Williams, Sussex, 
securing the second prize for a collection nearly equal to the other in 
quality. 
Of the miscellaneous exhibits in addition to those already noted the 
following are especially worthy of attention. Mr. C. Turner, Slough, 
had a superb collection of Rose blooms, surprisingly bright, fresh, and 
substantial, Marquise de Castellane, Countess of Rosebery, A. K. Wil¬ 
liams, Marie Baumann, and Senateur Vaisse being grandly shown. 
Messrs. Osborn & Sons also had a fine collection of Rose blooms ; 
Mr. J. Pestridge a large collection of tricolor Pelargoniums ; Messrs. 
Fromow &, Sons a group of shrubs ; Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, a collection 
of Mimulus ; Mr. C. Riley, Kew Bridge, rustic summer-houses ; and 
Mr. Wells, Red Hill, samples of his spray-diffuser. 
HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN FLOWER. 
Of late much attention has been directed to the yalue of her¬ 
baceous plants, and I am happy to see that they are becoming 
more popular and appreciated by horticulturists. Your corre¬ 
spondent, Mr. Brotherston, has given some sound advice on this 
subject, and I am sure if other correspondents were to contribute 
a little of their experience many readers of the Journal would be 
greatly benefited. Now that the herbaceous borders abound with 
plants in flower, perhaps a few words will not be inappropriate 
with regard to some of the best. 
First on my notes come the Armerias. A. vulgaris (common 
Thrift) is the most extensively cultivated. Many of the country 
people edge their flower borders with it, and when in flower it 
is extremely pretty. The flower scapes grow nearly a foot high, 
and vary in colour from red, rose, pink, and lilac to white. A. 
plantaginea is one of the showiest, producing tall scapes of soft 
pink flowers ; and A. cephalotes, a taller species, produces scapes 
from 12 to 18 inches high. Large tufts are well adapted for the 
front of the borders. Even when not in flower the plants are always 
pretty. 
Several Euphorbias are now in flower. The flowers individually 
are not very conspicuous, but when seen in clusters they are by 
no means to be despised, good-sized bushes 4 feet high and as 
much in diameter look very well in large mixed borders. E. 
palustris, E. salicifolia, and E. lucida are all worth growing, 
whilst E. myrsinites is well adapted for the front of the borders. 
There are many species of Polygonum that should be grown 
more extensively than they are, some of which are well worth a 
little attention, if only for the large ornamental foliage. P. 
alpinum is now fine, the flowers so much remind one of Spiraea 
japonica. Large bushes of P. molle are also flowering well, and 
P. polystachyum has large bold foliage; the flowers, however, are 
not so showy as the two preceding species. P. cuspidatum is a 
remarkably handsome plant, and in rich soil grows nearly 8 feet 
high, the drooping racemes of white flowers being succeeded by 
scarlet fruits. 
Phlomis fruticosa, or Jerusalem Sage, makes a useful border 
plant; the leaves are lanceolate ovate, and covered with a yellowish 
down. The flowers are produced in large whorls in the axils of 
the upper leaves. P. Russelliana has also large whorls of yellow 
flowers ; the foliage is covered with a whitish down. Both are 
very showy when in flower, and should be planted in open posi¬ 
tions where sufficient space is allowed for their full development. 
P. fruticosa is well adapted for planting as single specimens. I 
lately saw a fine piece 8 feet through, and between 5 and 6 feet 
high, loaded with blooms. 
Three or four species of Salvia are flowering profusely. S. 
pratensis flore-roseo is a desirable plant. S. sylvestris and S. 
lusitanica are also worth growing, and S. sclarea is a very hand¬ 
some-foliage plant and well deserves a place. 
The genus Veronica is a very large one, including more than 
150 species, several of which are well suited for the herbaceous 
borders. V. Teucrium and V. T. var. prostrata is a little gem ; it 
is invaluable for planting near the edge of the border, being of 
dwarf spreading habit, not exceeding 8 inches in height. V. gen- 
tianoides has been in flower for some time, and will always be a 
favourite ; with us it grows about 18 inches high. This is a 
common plant in cottage gardens. V. austriaca and the variety 
pinnatifida is a valuable plant; it has larger flowers than any of 
the preceding, and what increases its value is the way in which 
the foliage is so finely cut. 
|. Symphytums are noble plants when in flower, and some are 
well suited for the back of the borders. S. officinale var. purpurea 
grows about 5 feet, with good large flowers and bold foliage. 
S. officinale var. bohemicum is useful, and closely approaches the 
common Comfrey, excepting that it has bright reddish-purple 
flowers. S. asperrimum is one of the tallest-growing, and being 
remarkable for the bristles with which it is armed. 
Anchusa italica is lovely when in flower, and remains long in 
perfection ; it grows from 3 to 4 feet high, has shining foliage and 
bright blue flowers, which are very pleasing. Polemonium coeru- 
leum, or Jacob’s Ladder, is one of the oldest herbaceous plants 
