August 24, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
no 
EPILOBIUM OBCORDATUM. 
Th?e dwarf-growing Epilobiums, many of which are suitable for 
growing on rockeries, are not so well known in gardens as some of the 
taller species and varieties. Amongst the former E. obcordatum 
(fig. 27) may be mentioned, for although by no means a new plant, it is 
worthy of extended cultivation. It is a native of the Rocky Mountains, 
where it is found at over 1000 feet above sea level. It is perfectly 
hardy in our gardens, standing any amount of drought, and the present 
season has suited this plant admirably, flowering as it has done 
incessantly from June until the present time. Dry sunny slopes are the 
places to be chosen on which to plant it. It soon covers the plaee 
allotted to it. The flowers vary from three to five on each stem, over 
an inch in diameter, and of a lovely dark rose colour. It is easily 
injured by damp during the winter season, and should be protected by 
a “ cloche ” or piece of glass raised above the plant, so as to allow free 
access of air. A difficulty is often experienced in propagating it, but 
in heat it roots readily at this season, when the cuttings have been 
thoroughly ripened. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
TAUNTON DEANE.— August 10th. 
This flourishing Society held its twenty-sixth annual Exhibition at 
Vivary Park on the above date under most favourable auspices; 
the weather, that most important element in success or failure of 
horticultural exhibitions, having been all that could be wished for; indeed 
the Society has been most fortunate in this respect, for it is stated 
that of the twenty-six exhibitions only one of them was marred 
by a thoroughly wet day. At these exhibitions it has been my 
happiness to have officiated as judge for the last twenty-one years 
uninteruptedly, during which time I need not say great changes have 
taken place. Secretaries, committee, judges, and exhibitors have alike 
changed, and perhaps I was almost the only one present at the meeting 
who could look back to an official connection with the Society for so long, 
and now having attained my majority I think that it is most probable 
that my connection also with it will cease. 
With regard to the Exhibition itself the same change has also taken 
place. The main features of it are indeed the same ; two large tents of 
plants and flowers, the fruit and vegetables, the cottagers’ productions 
(always most creditable here), are the same as heretofore. These were 
well filled, although there were some gaps owing to the earliness of the 
season, but on the whole it was remarkable what fine collections had 
been got together. The plan which has been adopted of late years of 
placing collections of large plants, which filled the middle of the tent 
on the ground instead of that on stages, is an excellent innovation. 
Formerly it was rather the pots than the plants which were seen, but 
now visitors can look down upon the plants and see them in their full 
beauty. 
On entering the first tent we are confronted by the splendid collec¬ 
tions of Mr. James Cypher of Cheltenham. In class. 1, for twelve stove 
and greenhouse plants, were Statice profusa (this is one of the most 
splendid plants of this kind ever exhibited). Erica obata purpurea. 
Erica Aitoniana Turnbulli, Bougainvillea glabra, Allamanda nobilis, 
Allamanda Hendersoni, Dipladenia amabilis (very good),Ixora Pilgrimi, 
Ixora Williamsi, and Anthurium Scherzerianum; this was a very 
fine specimen and well flowered. The same firm was first in class 2, 
for six stove and greenhouse plants, which consisted of the following:— 
Erica Irbyana, Erica Austiniana, Allamanda nobilis, Statice profusa, 
Ixora Pilgrimi, and Ixora Williamsi. For foliage plants Mr. Cypher was 
again first. He had grand specimens of Kentia Fosteriana, Kentia 
australis, Latania borbonica, Croton montefontainensis, Croton 
Thompsoni, Croton Chelsoni, Dasylirion acrotrichum, Cordyline indivisa ; 
these plants were all vigorous, clean, and well grown, Mr, Cypher’s 
collections were undoubtedly the cream of the Exhibition as far as 
plants were concerned, although some very excellent exhibits were staged 
by Mr. Brock of Exeter and Mr. Mould of Pewsey, Wilts ; in fact, 
there was a smaller gap between the first and second collections than on 
many previous occasions, showing that the excellence of culture was 
more widely diffused. 
Considerable changes have taken place in the character of the 
plants exhibited under what may be termed greenhouse plants. I can 
look back on the time when one whole side of the tent was occupied 
with various classes of Pelargoniums—Zonal, Nosegay, gold and silver 
variegated, and bronze, while neither Begonias or herbaceous plants 
were to be seen. Now this is changed, and the two latter classes have come 
prominently forward, although one of the best exhibitors of Begonias, the 
Mayor of Taunton, was unable to put in an appearance, as his plants had 
nearly all gone out of flower. This was a great disappointment to many, 
as his collections were always well grown, and comprised the best 
novelties. At the entrance to the tent a stand of Begonias and other 
flowers, exhibited by Mr. Davis of Yeovil, whose strain of Begonias, 
both single and double, is so well known. I had made a list of these, 
but unfortunately have mislaid it. There were several stands of the 
ever-attractive herbaceous plants. These were shown in large bunches 
of flowers, the most conspicuous of which came from Mr. Pritchard, 
the well-known nurseryman at Christchurch, Hants. At this end of 
the tent was a flne stand of Messrs, Kelway & Son’s seedling Gladioli, 
for two of which first-class certificates were awarded. This firm had 
also other hardy flowers, making altogether a grand display. The cut 
flowers were exhibited on the other side of the tent, and consisted of 
Roses, Gladioli, Asters, Dahlias, Verbenas, Hollyhocks, and Begonias, 
Many of these showed unmistakeably the effects of the weather. Holly¬ 
hocks and Verbenas being especially poor. 
I was surprised to see Roses so well shown as they were. Although 
few in number they were excellent in quality, being well exhibited by 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., and Mr. Budd of Bath. For thirty-six 
varieties the former obtained the first prize. The varieties were—Back 
row : Charles Lefebvre, Mrs. J. Laing, Capt. Christy, Comte Raimbaud, 
Hon. Edith Gifford, A. K, Williams, John Hopper, S(5nateur Vaisse, The 
Bride, Xavier Olibo, Paul Neyron, In second row : La France, Etienne 
Levet, Climbing Niphetos, Lady Arthur Hill, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, 
John S. Mill, Princess Vera, a very good Tea ; Jean Soupert, very rich 
FIG. 27.— EPILOBIUM OBCORDATUM. 
and dark ; Amazon, Charles Lamb, Perle des Jardins, Lady Sheffield. 
In the third row : Beauty of Waltham, Sunset, a good bloom; Grand 
Mogul, identical with Jean Soupert ; Madame Hoste, a very beautiful 
bloom of a good Tea; Comtesse d’Oxford, Mar^chal Niel, Souvenir de 
Madame Metral, Devoniensis, Ferdinand de Lesseps, May Rivers, a very 
pretty China Tea; Madame Cusin, Dupuy Jamain, Mr. S. P, Budd was 
a very good second. In the class for eighteen singles Messrs. Keynes, 
Williams & Co. were again first with the following varieties—La France, 
Madame Victor Verdier, Mrs. J. Laing, Marie Margot, Marquise de 
Castellane, Alfred Colomb, A. K. Williams, Edith Gifford, Countess of 
Rosebery, Perle des Jardins, Horace Vernet, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam, 
Princess of Wales, Duchess of Bedford, Comtesse de Nadaillac, very good 
in colour; Gustave Piganeau, Madame Hoste, and Charles Lefebvre. The 
same firm had some excellent stands of Dahlias in the various sections 
of show, fancy. Cactus, and single varieties. The Cactus Dahlias, 
especially, were fine ; two were certificated, and one of these, Gloriosa, 
was of a brilliant colour, and promises to be an effective addition to this 
cIrss 
The Mayor of Taunton’s (Mr. W. H. Fowler) Gladioli were as usual 
of surpassing excellence, but it may serve as an illustration of the 
extraordinary character of the season, for whereas in 1892 he had a 
difficulty in obtaining the requisite number of varieties because his 
flowers were not in bloom, this year he had the same difficulty from 
another cause, viz., that nearly all his flowers were over. His stand of 
twenty-four comprised the following fine varieties: Grand Rouge, 
