264 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 22, 1892. 
of South London. There is a charm about the whole place quite its 
own. Bedding in the generally accepted term is not a strong feature 
so far as quantity is concerned, but what there is is well done. Many 
of the beds, moreover, are models of judicious contrasts and pleasing 
harmonies. 
Mixed beds are particularly good. Near the entrance from Dulwich 
village there is a singularly effective bed. This is planted with crimson 
tuberous Begonias and white Violas, amongst which are fine specimens 
® variegated Maize. A ring of Iresine Lindeni and another of 
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum complete the arrangement. 
It is one of the most beautiful beds I have seen this season. Near 
to the last named a mass of variegated Abutilons, with which Fuchsias 
an i b i U ?7 10 i aS are mixed > “ake a fine display. This bed is edged 
w ith (xolden Treasure Fuchsia, an attractive yellow-leaved dwarf growing 
variety, admirably adapted for edging purposes, and it seems to be a 
favourite, in the parks. Another bed filled with pink Ivy-leaved 
Pelargoniums and yellow Violas, around which rows of Iresine Lindeni 
and Cineraria maritima are planted, is most effective, and the same may 
be said of a mixture of Fuchsias, Petunias, and Liliums. The Fuchsias 
in the latter instance are full of flower and in harmony with the 
Petunias. Rows of Iresine and Golden Treasure Fuchsia complete the 
In addition to those mentioned there are the usual masses of; Pelar¬ 
goniums, and amongst these Violas are planted with good effect. As an 
example, a bed of white variegated Pelargoniums and blue Violas shows up 
well, and so do the white Violas with pink and scarlet Pelargoniums. 
These mixtures are worthy of imitation. The few examples of carpet 
bedding are also deserving of notice. They are simple in design—a 
good feature, by the way—and charmingly arranged, the foliage being 
particularly bright and effective. Clumps of foliage plants, such as 
Acacm lophantha, Cannas, and Eucalyptus planted on the grass are 
likewise effective and a distinct feature. 
The borders in this park are very fine. There are not merely two or 
three, but a large numoer of them, such as may generally be found on 
the margins of newly formed clumps of shrubs, and all of them are now 
™ tb autu “ n fl ° wcrs - The hu ge masses of perennial Sunflowers 
\\ith their bright yellow flowers are most effective, while scarcely less 
can be said of the fine clumps of Nicotiana affinis. Some groups of 
Hyacinthus candicans planted among dwarf Rhododendrons are particu¬ 
larly effective, as also are colonies of Gladioli amidst Roses. In some 
borders there are many fine China Roses, and the whole of these are at 
l p ; e “ 6 fl f °T r A n ? mo , st Profusely. They are very effective, and 
S, a ”P' e Pf oof of their adaptability for general decorative purposes. 
Would that there were many such similar clumps of these beautiful 
Roses in every private as well as public flower garden. They are among 
the first to bloom, and certainly the last, often in mild autumns 
nn«i' I w ing P r ° duce their brilliant crimson, pink, and white flowers 
until November has set in. It is almost impossible to over-estimate the 
p, , e " f these Ros f® f °r garden decoration, and as seen now in Dulwich 
Park they are worthy of all that can be said in their favour. 
two* 1 ! , another feature remains to be noticed—namely, the rockeries. 
These are numerous, and are well arranged. The second week in 
beptember is not, as a rule, the best time to see alpine and other rock 
T"/* a8 majority of them bloom in spring, but it is 
t0 rn from the glare of the plants in the other beds to the 
een masses of Sedums and Saxifragas on the rockeries. For developing 
A * r - ^° oman > the able superintendent, deserves the con¬ 
gratulations of all lovers of hardy flowers. It is gratifying to see such 
nWffl’ aDd ? i3 t0 be ho P ed that even greater progress in this 
phase of flower gardening will be made in public parks and gardens. 
p .° eye - S °° n U J eS - the glare of colour produced by masses of 
Pelargoniums and similar flowers, as well as of the stereotyped carpet 
patterns ; but as regards the delightful greenery of the ever charming 
rockery one never grows wearied.—C. C. s 
BEGONIAS AT FOREST HILL. 
Devoid of all capacity to appreciate beauty must be the man who 
could gaze, not merely for the first but for the fiftieth time upon the 
tru y grand show of Begonias now to be seen in full bloom’at P Forest 
Hill without admiration. If Messrs. J. Laing & Sons hav“ obtained 
aw ° r . ld ™ lde reputation for these flowers, at least they have worked 
hard to deserve it. Where else .in the kingdom can be seen ^ more 
beautiful sight than is presented in some probably quarter of a million 
of seedling plants m rich bloom, covering fully 2 acres of ground aDd 
growing just as freely and luxuriantly as Cabbages? Greft as is the 
area of ground, still is it needful to crowd the plants, for they are in 
rows about 12 inches apart, and are about 7 inches asundeJ in the 
ro .7, S, p E7e ° ln mentioning that there are 2 acres of ground planted 
, 1 f ? e f°? ias ia bard to convey an adequate conception of the 
^* lfal sho Y. made - R eally it is one of those sights which should be 
!v,1pf t0 tu reall ® ed - From the main road the beds run parallel with the 
chief pathway for a length of 180 yards. There are twenty-two of these 
beds, each containing seven rows of plants. The one near the nursery 
patb 18 a “ lxture i then comes one of rose tints, then two of oran<re 
scarlet, next one of golden bronze, then come two yellows following are 
veflow* jS two 1 7 hlte ’ then sin gle beds of crimson, salmon or aprfcot • 
ufnifu’ • d P i I l k ’,j ind seven other beds Panted half of one colour 
fiWtp W1Se u n f ba f i° £ another- Reyond these run a large number of 
short cross beds, including myriads of fine doubles. 
In several houses there is a splendid show of plants, so gloriously 
beautiful and of such rich and varied colours, the flowers, too, in many 
cases of such enormous size, that one realises after all how poorly even 
may the finest of gold medal groups convey what a visit to Forest Hill 
displays. 
One of the most remarkable features of the myriads of seedlings is 
tound in the high average of constancy to colour they show. Some 
beds seem hardly to have a diverse colour in them. There is more 
variety in the golden, bronze, and yellow hues, but still all pertain to 
the section. In the matter of show the richest or most striking effects 
are got from the white, pink, or rose, scarlet, and crimson hues, especially 
ie singles; indeed the doubles seem better fitted for house or pot 
culture than for exposure to rough weather ; still, they are beautiful 
apparently in all weathers. These have this season given a fine lot of 
yellows. Seedlings of doubles reproduce about 50 per cent, doubles, 
and all singles are thrown away. In both sections second year tubers 
make the best bedding plants, and give fine sturdy plants, but are still 
better the third year. 
R Must not be concluded that if Messrs. Laing can thus raise 
hundreds of thousands of seedlings anyone can raise even a few. All 
nmy try, but all are wiser if they will also purchase selected tubers, 
fu Pe< irh ^ R tbsy wish to bed them in colours. Those who wish to see 
this Forest Hill feast of Begonias should lose no time in carrying out 
their intention.—A. D. 
\\ e had anticipated the advice given in our correspondent’s 
communication by visiting Forest Hill before it reached us, and 
agree with him that a more brilliant and wonderful display of floral 
beauty cannot be found than is now to be seen at Messrs, Laing’s 
nursery, which, it may be mentioned, is best reached from Catford 
Bridge station, though it is not more than a mile from Forest Hill. 
In the article, “ Progress in Begonias,” a few weeks ago, the latest 
developments in quality of flower and habit of plant were so fully dealt 
with that it only remains to make a brief study of the plants as turned 
to bedding purposes, and see how their points of merit tell in the open 
a ir.. Beyond doubt there is much ground for admiration. Apart from 
their intrinsic beauty, it cannot but be noted with pleasure how well 
qualified the plants are to hold their own, and give fine effects, un¬ 
supported by companions of any other class. This is not a question of 
quantity. Were there but a fraction of the 400,000 plants now bedded 
out in the Stanstead Park nurseries, the quality indicated would be still 
observable. It is not suggested as desirable that this feature should be 
pushed to an extreme consummation and flower gardens adorned with 
Begonias alone, but they may always form a feature in beds to them¬ 
selves if so desired. There is a luxuriance of growth about them that in 
most plants would be accompanied by imperfect blooming, but they 
produce flowers both abundantly and of high-class quality, imparting 
rich, bold, and satisfying effects. 
That it would be unwise to rely on seedling plants altogether for a 
summer display in the flower garden has been well proved this season, 
tor they have been somewhat late in getting into the best condition, 
rossibly it has been somewhat too dry for them, and a little more 
moisture would have insured their coming into full bloom earlier. Now 
that they are at their best, however, there is no gainsaying their 
exceptional beauty. Their dwarf growth and abundant foliage prevent 
any suspicion of gaudiness, even in the brilliant scarlets, glowing 
crimsons, and bright yellows that abound. The close mantle of green 
acts as an admirable foil, and they are not so near the eye as to stare 
® ne c d countenance. The scarlets are undoubtedly the most effective. 
A. D. s remarks preclude the necessity of any indication of the range 
of colour observable, or of the method and scale of planting, but a 
varieties may be noticed. Of scarlets two of the best are Lord 
Hillingdon and J. W. Wilkinson, the former in particular, a light scarlet 
inclining to orange, being a most vivid and striking variety. As a 
Adding Begonia R would be very ba rd to excel it. Of the crimsons 
H. M. Stanley and Sir Thomas Paine are the best. The former is very 
conspicuous, the long lines of richly coloured flowers being quite 
imposing. Mrs. Milner, a carmine with white centre, is also effective. 
The rose and pink shades hardly tell so well, but they are very beautiful 
nevertheless, and will bear close individual inspection. Gigantea is very 
fine indeed. . Lady Pigott is of a distinct salmon shade, and Duchess of 
Leinster a light yellowish orange, both being excellent varieties. Of 
whites Lady Scott is perhaps the pick, the flowers being substantial, 
well thrown up, and very pure. 
When it is remembered that all the plants bedded out on this 
enormous scale are seedlings raised in January this year it will be per- 
ceived what an invaluable plant we have in the Tuberous Begonia as 
a bedding plant. It may be treated as annual, and what other annual 
is there to compare with it ? Beautiful as it is there is no doubt what¬ 
ever that it will be still further improved. Messrs. Laing & Son have 
men constantly at work amongst the plants marking the best varieties, 
and if these are examined it will be found that they have stouter flower 
stems than their fellows, and often larger, smoother, more rounded 
flowers as well. The latter points are desirable, but the first is the 
most important. After all that has been done there is still room for 
improvement in the direction of longer, stiffer, and stronger flower 
stems. We have no doubt that it will come. Messrs. Laing have so 
well proved their capacity that the fact of their being alive to a 
requirement may be taken as a sufficient assurance that sooner or later 
it will be provided. 
