14 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 6, 1882. 
should be so arranged that the rosettes are on the same plane as 
the soil. It commences to flower in May, and continues for two or 
three months. It is easily propagated by division or raised from 
seed, which it produces freely, especially in some counties. G. 
Loder, Esq., of Northampton, informed me that it ripened seed 
with him very freely. The side shoots taken off in a young state 
will root in sandy soil in a cold frame. It has been known and 
cultivated in this country for a very long period. Miller grew it 
at Chelsea in 1731 and much earlier. Parkinson describes it very 
minutely, having grown it in his garden, and he regarded it as an 
Auricula, for he calls it the “ Blew beares eares with borage leaves ” 
— (Park. Pat-ad., p. 237). Linnams named it Yerbascum Myconi, 
and it was figured under that name in the “ Bot. Mag./' pi. 236. 
CROYDON HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 
June 28 th. 
The fifteenth Show of this Society was held in the grounds of 
Wellesley House, the residence of J. Spencer Balfour, Esq., M.P., an 
open and pleasant position for an exhibition of this character. Three 
marquees were devoted to the exhibits, one of considerable dimen¬ 
sions containing the groups and miscellaneous plants ; the second, 
also very spacious, was devoted to the Roses and fruit, while in the 
third the cottagers’ productions and vegetables were staged. 
Groups .—One of the leading classes was that for a group of plants 
arranged for effect in a space of 100 square feet, the competition 
being confined to nurserymen. Mr. John H. Ley, Croydon, gained 
the first prize for a group consisting largely of fine-foliage plants, 
Dracaenas, Aralias, and Palms predominating; amongst the latter 
was a fine Stevensonia grandiflora. Ixoras were the most note¬ 
worthy amongst the flowering plants, and the margin consisted 
of Golden Selaginella. Mr. R. W. Beedell, Wallington, was second 
with a larger number of flowering plants, and his group was conse¬ 
quently brighter if a little less graceful. The margin of blue and 
white Lobelias, with Selaginellas and Isolepis, was very effective. 
Mr. C. Chaff, Park Hill Nursery, was a good third, Palms, Perns, and 
Pelargoniums being tastefully arranged with other plants. In the 
district class for gardeners and amateurs only Mr. Penfold, gardener 
to the Rev. Canon Bridges, Beddington, was adjudged the first prize 
for an extremely graceful arrangement of Cordylines, Crotons, Cocos, 
Casuarinas, with Begonias and other flowering plants, and an edge 
of Caladium argyrites and Isolepis gracilis. Mr. King, gardener to 
Phillip Crowley, Esq., Waddon House, was a very close second, a 
fine central plant of Phyllanthus nivosus being notable, Tuberoses, 
Diplacus, Begonias, and miscellaneous flowering and foliage plants 
being judiciously and tastefully employed ; Mr. Fewell, gardener to 
J. C. Lanyon, Esq., Birdhurst, taking the third position with a group 
including some good plants, but rather too formal in design. 
Fine-foliage Plants .—Some handsome specimens were staged in 
the classes for these and Perns. For nine plants in the open class 
Mr. Penfold won easily with extremely fine examples of Alocasia 
macrorhiza variegata, Phyllanthus nivosus, Dracaena Lindeni, An- 
thurium crystallinum, and Martinezia Lindeniana amongst others 
equally praiseworthy. Mr. King followed, his most noteworthy 
plant being a grandly coloured specimen of Croton Johannis, about 
5 feet high, in splendid health, and with the colour better developed 
than we have seen before. Mr. Fewell took the third position, 
having large examples of Areca lutescens, Stevensonia grandifolia, 
and Cycas revoluta. In the district gardeners’ class Mr. Penfold 
also won first with a most creditable collection, comprising grand 
specimens of Latania borbonica, Aralia monstrosa, Areca lutescens, 
Carludovica Drudei, and Davidsonia pruriens, the latter plant being 
extremely distinct and effective when shown in such fine condition. 
The same exhibitor had the best six exotic Ferns, Adiantum cardio- 
chlsena, Woodwardia radicans cristata, and Adiantum peruvianum 
being remarkably healthy and fresh. In the class for the same 
number of hardy Ferns Mr. G. W. Cummins, gardener to A. H. 
Smee, Esq., The Grange, Wallington, gained principal honours with 
a choice collection of Athyriums and Lastreas. Mr. Penfold fol¬ 
lowed with smaller but healthy plants. 
Orchids were shown by Messrs. King and Penfold, who were 
awarded equal first prizes for two good collections of six plants in 
the open class. Mr. King’s plants comprised Aerides Lobbi with 
three spikes, Dendrobium tbyrsiflorum with eleven spikes, Lmlia 
purpurata and Lycaste Deppei both well flowered. Mr. Penfold’s 
most striking plants were Galeandra Devoniana with twelve flowers, 
Dendrobium Cambridgeanum, and Cypripedium Yeitchii in first-rate 
condition. 
Roses .—These were largely represented, and the marquee devoted 
to them, the miscellaneous cut flowers, table decorations, and fruit 
was a highly attractive one. In the nurserymen’s classes for Roses 
excellent collections were staged, especially by Messrs. B. R. Cant of 
Colchester, W. Rumsey of Waltham Cross, and Laing & Co., Forest 
Hill, who secured the leading prizes in the first two classes for forty- 
eight and twenty-four varieties. Messrs. Cant, G. W. Piper (Uck- 
field), and Coppin were the winners with stands of twelve Tea or 
Noisette Roses, the two first having very fair samples. In the 
amateurs’ classes Mr. J. Ridout, gardener to J. B. Haywood, Esq., 
Woodhatch Lodge, Reigate ; H. Slaughter, Esq., Jarvis Yilla, Stey- 
ning; Mr. J. Bridges, gardener to G. Baker, Esq., Holmfels, Reigate ; 
and the Rev. Alan Cheales, Brockham Vicarage, Reigate, were lead¬ 
ing exhibitors, all having blooms of good quality, the Reigate speci¬ 
mens being remarkably good. 
Table decorations, fruits, and vegetables were largely shown, and, 
like the other exhibits, were of admirable quality. The general arrange¬ 
ments were good ; but although the weather was fine the attendance 
of visitors was not so large as might have been expected. 
HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 
The Aquilegias have been very showy for some time. The 
great number of varieties of A. vulgaris and A. glandulosa, some 
of which are remarkably fine, have now become great favourites. 
A. jucunda is one of the most handsome of the genus, producing 
unusually large flowers, the calyx of which is bright blue, the 
corolla being blue and white with short curved spurs. I am afraid 
space will not permit much to be said regarding the Delphiniums, 
for they are too well known and appreciated, the Larkspurs being 
special favourites with most people. The same may be said re¬ 
specting the Paeonies. They are found in nearly every cottage 
garden and well deserve the space allotted them. They have been 
exceptionally fine this season. P. officinalis is one of the most 
useful, and from this species the varieties with red, crimson, and 
white flowers have originated. The flowers last several weeks in 
perfection, and when the plants are not in bloom the foliage is 
very ornamental. 
Violas are fine. There are so many varieties of these now used as 
bedders that they appear almost indispensable, and for the front of 
the herbaceous border associated with various other flowers of a 
dwarf character they are really valuable. There are also two or three 
species that deserve a word of praise. V. gracilis, a very dark 
blue, is flowering profusely, so also is V. lutea and V. cornuta. 
1 lately saw a splendid tuft of V. cornuta alba. The flowers, as 
the name implies, are of the purest white and very freely pro¬ 
duced. It is a good plant for edging some of the flower beds. 
The Dianthuses are aglow with their pleasing colours and 
sweetly scented flowers. What herbaceous border would be com¬ 
plete without a few plants of the favourite Pinks P. plumarius 
with its numerous varieties ? D. caesius is a very dwarf dense- 
growing species and well deserves a place; and D. barbatus 
(Sweet William) is so familiar to most people that little need be 
said regarding it. Gypsophila acutifolia is completely covered 
with its trusses of small pinkish white flowers ; so also is Silene 
colorata, and S. alpestris, pure white, being dwarf and very free 
and admirably adapted for the front of the border. Several 
Lychnises are in flower, and amongst the most showy of the genus 
is L. Flos-Jovis, which has large dark pink flowers produced on 
footstalks a foot or IS inches high, contrasting favourably with 
the soft silvery foliage. Linums and Cer.istiums will remain in 
beauty for some time. Geraniums are both numerous and showy. 
G. sanguineum is a very handsome species and one of the best. 
G. striatum is a common species in cultivation, growing about a 
foot high in compact tufts, and flowers profusely throughout the 
summer. Other species that are well worth growing are G. En- 
dressii. G. macrorhizum, G. eriostemon, G. gymnocaulon, G. iberi- 
cum, G. pratense, and G. tuberosum. Dictamnus giganteus and 
D. albus with its numerous varieties having rose, bright red, and 
white flowers are very handsome and are well worth cultivating. 
Some species of Erigeron are well worth a little attention. 
This is rather an extensive genus, nearly a hundred species being 
known to botanists : they come from temperate and cold regions. 
Amongst the most showy are E. philadelphicum with small pink 
Aster-like flowers, E. glabellum with blue flowers, and E. speci- 
osum lilac blue. The Pentstemons are well known to most people. 
Their pleasing colours and showy flowers entitle them to a place 
in every garden. P. confertus and P. speciosus are now very 
showy. A good purple flower that is often met with in gardens 
is the Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginica. This is a very pretty 
and interesting plant, growing about 1^- foot high. There are 
several varieties in cultivation—one with white petals, another 
with rose-coloured petals, and a double-flowered variety. Poten- 
tillas are now in great variety, and are well suited for the borders 
or rockery. There are many shades of colour, of which crimson, 
yellow, and white predominate. 
The Lupins have been very showy and useful for some time. 
Amongst the most noteworthy are Lupinus poiyphyllus. There 
are several very distinct varieties of this species, which is the 
commonest and at the same time one of the best species in culti¬ 
vation. L. arboreus is another good species. The foliage is very 
handsome, being deeply cut or divided. The young flowers are a 
fine sulphur yellow, changing to light purple with age. L. nanus 
is the dwarf annual Lupine. This may also be planted near the 
