518 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ j U n« 21,1883. 
is an' accurate description of this Pothos from his new plant 
catalogue :—“ This remarkably distinct Aroid, which is of climb¬ 
ing habit, has been imported from the Solomon Islands. The 
leaves are strikingly variegated, heart-shaped, and unequal-sided, 
of a dark green, boldly and irregularly marked by bands or 
fantastic-shaped blotches of creamy yellow, here and there 
suffused with pale yellowish green. Being of free growth, and 
having a boldly marked variegation, it wall be an ornamental 
object in the tropical plant stove, where it will find itself at home 
in clothing walls and artificial rockwork.” 
WASTE WATER—A PRETTY RIVULET. 
From a small terrace fountain provision had to be made several 
years ago to convey the waste water away through a small pipe 
not more than an inch in diameter ; and though the quantity was 
no more than could readily pass through such a pipe, yet in the 
aggregate it was so considerable as to give rise to the thought that 
it could be turned to some account after it had passed through 
the fountain. There was not enough of it to excite an ambitious 
wish for a cascade, or even the musical ripple of a running stream, 
so it was turned into a little hollow below which the soil was 
excavated for a pool, and thrown up into a long gently sloping 
bank. After the pool was filled the water was made to trickle 
over some masses of sandstone downwards to another hollow 
which was gradually extended into a little dell, beyond which 
the water trickled onwards and-was lost to sight under the over¬ 
hanging fronds of Ferns and spreading branches of Rhododen¬ 
drons. But even then the waste water was still required to fill 
another excavation which had been made for a Watercress bed, 
and still lower it was again in requisition to impart a swamp-like 
moisture to some beds of American Cranberry, whence it passed 
out of the boundaries of the garden, and was turned to account by 
the gamekeeper to fill yet another pool for a ducklings’ nursery, 
where they could safely enjoy their favourite element till old 
enough for a more adventurous existence upon larger ponds. 
It may be thought that because so much use was made of a 
mere trickle that water was scarce and hard to obtain ; but such 
was not the case, for in a valley close by, or rather two valleys, 
springs abound, and there are ponds by the dozen with cascades 
streams, and waterfalls, making the valleys resonant with sounds 
most pleasant and replete with sights most agreeable. Yet there 
was no water upon the plateau by the house, so that without the 
waste water of the fountain there would have been only the 
ordinary repetition of lawns, flower bed-', and shrubbery in the 
dressed grounds, but with it features were added that at once im¬ 
parted much striking variety, and which have grown in beauty 
with the years that have passed since they were made. Let me 
describe them, for sure I am that something similar to them 
might advantageously be added to many a garden, and thus help 
to brighten a scene which is so often little more than a tame 
repetition of dozens of others. 
In the hollow above the pool a bed of Iris pseud-acorus was 
planted in ordinary soil, or rather mud ; the plants soon spread 
into dense mass, which is just now quite gay with yellow flowers 
springing up among the bold dark green foliage. At the head of 
the hollow a Pampas Grass has grown into a veritable giant; and 
fringing the Iris where the hollow joins the pool is a flourishing 
bed of Calla palustris spreading freely in the mud and shallow 
water, which suits it admirably. On one side of the pool the 
lawn slopes gently downwards to the water’s edge; but on the 
opposite side, where the excavated soil was thrown, a single layer 
of rocks was made in imitation of natural strata close to the 
water, and beyond the rocks a bold mass of many varieties of 
hardy Heaths was arranged, almost all of which have grown 
freely and become blended together very much as one sees the 
wild Heaths. The Cornish, Irish, and Mediterranean varieties are 
among the most vigorous, the latter kind forming an admirable 
background, while an occasional specimen of Erica codonoides 
imparts relief to the sorts of more spreading growth. In the 
pool a selection of the best aquatic plants are thriving, our 
greatest novelties being a couple of pink Nymphmas, both now 
growing freely, and the larger of which had several rich-coloured 
flowers last year. With few exceptions aquatic plants become 
established quickly, and spread so freely that some care is re¬ 
quired to keep them within bounds, Aponogeton distachyon being 
the greatest offender, sending its seedlings out in such profusion 
as to crowd out everything else, and yet its flowers are so lovely 
and so fragrant that one destroys it with regret. Clumps of the 
bright rosy Lythrum roseum superbum and the yellow Ranunculus 
lingua spring high out of the water close by the rocky margin, 
over which at other places soft green cushions of Silene maritima 
spread downwards to the water. 
Along the dell below the pool the small Typha is mingled with 
Lythrum and various bog plants in the slowly trickling water, 
and along the damp margin some Sarracenias and Cypripediums 
are now well established, Cypripedium spectabile bearing flowers 
so lovely as to be no unworthy rivals of any of the more delicate 
species. Onoclea sensibilis is thriving well and spreading into 
large tufts, the handsome fronds being larger this year than they 
have ever been before. Lomaria magellanica also answers well, 
and its large curious fronds are very effective among Osmundas 
and various other Ferns with which it is mingled. Many other 
plants might be mentioned, but it is hoped that my description 
has been extended sufficiently to show how much may be added 
to render a garden additionally attractive without any great out¬ 
lay, and to induce something being done in many a garden where 
hitherto a plant or two in a fountain basin has done little, if any¬ 
thing, to illustrate the real beauty of water plants; and a few 
plants of Heaths arranged in formal rows in a bed have shown 
nothing of the beauty of bold masses of these universal favourites 
growing in a state of semi-wildness, and with a freedom and 
vigour that has much of grace and beauty without an iota of 
stiffness or formality.— Edward Luckhurst. 
COMING FLOWER SHOWS. 
Thh following are the dates upon which the principal horticultural 
exhibitions and meetings of June and July will be held, of which we 
have received schedules, and Secretaries of other Societies will oblige 
bj forwarding schedules to us of any shows not noticed in this 
list :—■ 
JUNE. 
Tuesday, 25th. —Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
11 A.it., and Pelargonium Show, South Kensington ; Diss. 
Wednesday, 27th, —Cardiff Rose Show ; Croydon (Roses) ; Royal Botanic 
Society’s Brening Fife. 
Thursday, 28th. —National Rose Society’s Show, Southampton ; Richmond. 
Friday, 2 9th. —Canterbury (Roses). 
Saturday, 3 Oth. —Reigate (Roses) ; West Kent; Bromley. 
JULY. 
Tuesday, 3rd. —National Rose Society’s Show, South Kensington. 
Wednesday, 4th .—Wimbledon ; Teddington ; Norwood. 
Thursday, 5 th. —Bath (Roses) ; Kingston ; Farningham ; Highgate; Hitchin 
(Roses) ; Romford. 
Friday, 6 th. —Sutton (Roses). 
Saturday, 7th. —Chiswick, Crystal Palace (Roses) ; Brockham (Roses). 
Tuesday, 10 th .—Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
11 A.if. Oxford, Wirral, and Hereford Rose Shows. 
Wednesday. 11 (A—Royal Caledonian Society’s Shew, Edinburgh. Hull Show 
(three days); Ealing. 
Thursday, 1 2th. —National Rose Society’s Show, Sheffield ; Nuneaton ; Brain¬ 
tree. 
Friday, 13th.— Ludlow (Roses). 
Tuesday, 17 th .—Leek (Roses). 
Wednesday, 13th. —Nottingham Floral Fftte (two days). Darlington (Roses). 
Thursday, 19 th. —Evening Fete at Chiswick ; Aberdeen ; Helensburgh (Roses). 
Tuesday, 24 th. —Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
11 A.M. ; Carnation and Picotee Show, South Kensington. 
Wednesday, 25th. —Colnbrook. 
Thursday, 2 ith. —Eastbourne. 
AUGUST. 
Saturday, 4th. —Southampton (two days, or three including Sunday) ; Liver¬ 
pool (two days, or three including Sunday). 
Thursday, 9th. —Beverley. 
Wednesday, 15 th. —Sutton. 
Friday, 31$f.—Crystal Palace National Dahlia Show and Fruit (two days). 
CHOICE HARDY FLOWERS. 
It is interesting to note the position these begin to occupy in 
flower shows, and particularly so to observe the keen interest 
evinced in them by the majority of visitors. Stove and green¬ 
house plants certainly attract, while Orchids captivate ; but there 
is something peculiarly homely in many of the old-fashioned 
garden denizens, while the newer kinds of hardy flowers awaken 
a keen desire to know more about them. Several fine groups were 
exhibited at Manchester last month, and I noted a few of the 
most showy and interesting plants there brought together. 
Chief amongst the amateurs’ collection was that belonging to 
Joseph Broome, Esq., of Didsbury, carefully grown and staged by 
his excellent gardener and good botanist Mr. T. Entwistle, whose 
knowledge and love of hardy plants is well known. Among the 
alpines was a grand pan of Sempervivum arachnoideum,most prettily 
grown—this is one of the prettiest Houseleeks. Anemone alpina 
and sulphurea, the latter being undoubtedly a varietal form of 
the former, having white and clear sulphur-coloured flowers 
respectively. These are both charming alpines and well worth 
having. Phyteumacomosum, a very rare species, forming a dwarf 
tuft, with small globose heads of deep blue flowers about 3 inches 
high. This is a difficult plant to establish. Secure the crown 
firmly between two small pieces of limestone, and let the soil be 
composed of leaf soil, good loam, and grit, and never allow it to 
