526 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
June 13, 1896, 
considered as important, such, for example, as the shape of the garden, 
the situation, the manner in which it ii laid out, the principal object 
for which the plants are to be grown—whether for cutting or other- 
wise—and last, but not least, the amount of money at disposal. In this 
latter respect, at any rate, hardy perennials are certainly unrivalled, as 
they can be had to suit all purses ; indeed, they can readily be adapted 
for each of the purposes enumerated. With the idea of seeing what is 
now in flower a journey was made to these nurseries, and notes of a few 
out of the many attractive flowers are subjoined. The seleccion made 
is good from the writer’s point of view, but not necessarily the best. 
Individual taste must play an important part in looking at hardy 
flowers, and it would be little short of arrogance for one to say, “ These 
are absolutely the best that can be procured,” as it is practically 
certain that the next person would make a different choice, and would 
have an equal right to use the same expression if he felt so disposed. 
The stately beauty of the Eremuri must be the excuse, if such be 
needed, for placing these in the foremost position in the notes. To extol 
their beauties and their merits requires the pen of an expert, and 
readers who desire more information will do well to read the admirable 
article dealing with them that appeared in the Journal of Horticulture 
for February 26th, over the well-known signature of “ S. Arnott.” 
There they were dealt with fully, as they deserve to be ; here they can 
only be accorded a brief paragraph. They are amongst the most hand¬ 
some of the hardy perennials, but their beauty is not such as would 
appeal to everyone, and perhaps this is as well, for they are scarcely the 
sort of plant one would recommend for the garden of very limited extent. 
The enormous spikes rise to a height of several feet, the flowering portion 
of such sorts as robustus, which was “ held up ” by Mr. Page Roberts in 
the Journal for September 20th, 1894, and himalaicus being upwards of 
3 feet in length. Quite as good as the two already named is Aitchinsoni, 
which has yellow flowers shaded with buff, while others worthy of 
mention are Elwesi and Bungayi. It is unfortunate that these plants 
are not more extensively grown, as when seen in good condition their 
ornate beauty commands admiration from everyone. 
Passing naturally from the long to the short we have the charming 
Veronica rupestris, which in large clumps is a perfect sheet of blue. 
This is a well-known and highly appreciated little plant, but it is 
worthy of mention here, and of more extended culture in small gardens. 
Equally attractive, and as general a favourite, is Heuchera sanguinea, 
which seen at a distance of a few yards, with the sun glistening on it, 
is at once a striking and a singularly beautiful sight. It is an exceed¬ 
ingly useful plant for cutting, providing red flowers of a distinct shade 
and form. Achillea millefolium is a plant too seldom grown, and as 
seen at Tottenham one of the most beautiful on the place. A large bed 
was noticed, in which the plants were smothered with their pearly 
white blossoms, that are valuable for cutting purposes. This is a 
plant that almost anyone would place in a prominent situation, despite 
which it is seldom seen. Perhaps some reader can suggest the reason 
for this. A dwarf Aster next attracts attention by its mauve-coloured 
flowers, produced on a plant only a few inches high. It is called 
A. alpinus, of which there is a very beautiful variety named speciosus, 
with larger and more richly coloured flowers. Both of these plants 
possess several good points that wdll insure them a goodly number of 
admirers. 
For brilliance the Poppies are unrivalled, and many sorts are well 
worth growing. Foremost amongst them must be placed Papaver 
bracteatum, probably the finest of the oriental varieties. Everyone 
knows the massive, richly hued flowers with the dark blotch at the base 
of each petal, and there are not many people who do not admire them. 
Other handsome varieties are Silver Queen, Royal Scarlet, and Little 
Prince, each of which possesses undoubted merits. In addition to these 
there were the dwarf growing P. miniatum and the Iceland Poppies, both 
very charming and useful for cutting. Aquilegias have not made the 
growth that is usually one of their characteristics here, doubtless owing 
to the very dry weather, but the plants are smothered with flowers. 
Hybrids are numerous, while the well-known Skinneri, californica, and 
chrysantha are seen in profusion. Beyond these are Inulas glandulosa 
and grandiflora, each distinct from the other. Of the two perhaps the 
latter is preferable. Two other plants not seen so frequently as their 
merits deserve are Lathyrus Sibthorpi and Orobus lathyroides, both, of 
course, belonging to the pod-bearers. Boldly conspicuous was a clump 
of Spiraea aruncus, about 8 feet high and as far through. 
The collection of Nymphmas is very extensive, though at the present 
time there are not many kinds in flower. Amongst those noticed 
N. Laydekeri rosea, N. Candida, and N. odorata rosea were perhaps the 
best. These plants are grown in tubs plunged into the ground close 
to the large rockery, and greatly enhance the appearance thereof. In 
a frame adjacent to this rockery there is a number of Brodiseas thriving 
in a most satisfactory manner. It is curious that these plants are not 
more extensively grown, but possibly they are not sufficiently showy for 
the generality of plant growers, though they cannot fail to add interest 
to the garden. Brodiasas coccinea and congesta are perhaps the best 
known, but Howelli ought to be grown, as it is quite distinct, and 
possessed of many good points. The climbing B. volubilis was also seen, 
but is not apparently of any particular merit. In the same frame large 
numbers of Sparaxis are growing and flowering, besides numerous other 
plants not at present in bloom. Irises are almost over, there still 
remaining, however, a few to bloon. The collection of these is very 
large, and the display when hundreds were in flower must have been 
very fine indeed. Phlox ovata, Veratrum album, Dictamnus Fraxinella 
(the Burning Bush), Geranium ibericum, and Hemerocallis Dumorteri, 
all add beauty and diversity to this floral feast. 
Justice cannot be done in such brief notes as these, but they must 
not be concluded without a reference to the thousands of Liliums that 
are cultivated, and which are not yet of course in their full beauty. 
Comprised in this collection are probably all the best kinds in commerce, 
and it cannot be doubted that in a short time when the plants are in full 
flower the sight will be a truly glorious one. Of those now in bloom 
Szovitzianum and canadense are the most prominent, and indeed look 
very charming. Every day fresh beauties will be apparent in the newly 
opening blossoms, and visits at frequent intervals could not fail to be 
of interest and also prove very instructive. Deserving of congratulation 
are the firm and its grower, Mr. Johnson, for the efforts they have made 
and are making to popularise these plants, and for the good health of 
the stock, that prevails over the establishment.— NOMAD. 
Rose Show Fixtures for 1895. 
June 19th (Wednesday).—York.* 
„ 20th (Thursday).—Colchester and Ryde, 
„ 25th (Tuesday).—Isle of Wight (Cowes). 
„ 26th (Wednesday).—Richmond (Surrey). 
„ 27th (Thursday).—Gloucester (N.R.S.) and Canterbury. 
„ 28th (Friday).—Exeter. 
„ 29th (Saturday).—Windsor. 
July 2nd (Tuesday).—Diss, Maidstone, and Sutton. 
„ 3rd (Wednesday).—Brockham, Croydon, Ealing, Farningham, 
Lee,f and Sittingbourne 
„ 4th (Thursday).—Eltham and Norwich. 
„ 6th (Saturday).—Crystal Palace (N.R S.). 
„ 9th (Tuesday).—Ipswich, Westminster (R.H.S.), and Wolver¬ 
hampton. * 
„ 10th (Wednesday).—Chelmsford, Farnham, Hitcbin, and Redhill 
(Reigate). 
„ 11th (Thursday).—Bath, Great Malvern (Hereford Rose Society), 
Helensburgh, Woodbridge, and Worksop. 
„ 17th (Wednesday).—Derby (N.R S.). 
„ 18th (Thursday).—Canterbury (Kent Hospital FSte) and Halifax, 
„ 20th (Saturday).—Manchester. 
„ 23rd (Tuesday).—Tibshelf. 
„ 24th (Wednesday).—Chesterfield and Newcastle-on-Tyne.* 
„ 25th (Thursday).—Trentham. 
Aug. 3rd (Saturday) and 5th.—Liverpool.! 
* A show lasting three days. f A show lasting two days. 
I shall be glad to receive the dates of other Rose shows than those 
named above for publication in future lists. — Edward Mawley, 
Rosehanli, Berkhameted, Herts. 
Windsor Show. 
The Committee of the Windsor Rose Society are anxious to make 
the fact known that the show on the 29th inst. is to be held in the 
private grounds of Windsor Castle, by special permission of Her Majesty. 
The Court will be at Windsor at the time, so the show may possibly be 
visited by Royalty. 
Rose Marechal Niel under Glass. 
Had I questioned the soundness of “ W. R. Raillem’s ” system of 
growing this Rose there may have been some reason for Mr. Divers’' 
oracular statement in last week’s issue ; as I did not it calls for no com¬ 
ment, and I can only condole with Mr. Divers on his want of success 
with grafted plants. I have not infrequently had growths 20 feet from 
the grafts in one season, so that the objection on the score of weakly 
growth can hardly be maintained.—H. R. R. 
Roses Under Glass. 
At a meeting of the Royal Hoitiouitiir«l Society held at the Drill 
Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last, an exhaustive and instructive paper 
on “ Rose Culture Under Glass” was read by Mr Frank Cant, the well- 
known grower of Colchester. The essayist in his opening remarks said 
that several books had been published on the cultivation of Roses, but 
he considered the Rev. A. Foster-Melliar’s “ Book of the Rose ” was one 
of the best, and one he could safely recommend to all who contem¬ 
plated growing these charming flowers. Considering the popularity 
of Roses, and the ease with which they may be mown under glass, their 
culture under these conditions was not carried on so extensively as 
might be expected. 
He commenced by describing the kind of house required for them, and 
stated that though Roses can be and are grown in all kinds of structures, 
a light span-roofed house, with ends facing north and south, is the one 
most suitable, with side and top ventilators fitted to open the entire 
length. The house should be of sufficient width to allow for a bed in 
the centre, with a path round it, and a border on each side. The Roses 
may either be grown in pots or planted out, but in case of the latter the 
roof of the house should be so formed that it can be lifted off, this 
