August 9, 1868. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
113 
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j VIOLAS. j 
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F LOWER garden plants that will endure the continuous rain of 
a season like the present possess a value which all can appre¬ 
ciate that have large beds and borders under their charge, and which 
are expected to have a gay appearance at this time of year. The 
conventional bedding plants of the Zonal Pelargonium, Calceo¬ 
laria, Verbena, and Lobelia types, have had a bad time, the best 
arrangements and the best prepared plants having in the majority 
®f cases failed to give anything like satisfaction. It is now becom¬ 
ing too late for them to do much good, and many gardeners have 
quietly resolved not to depend another season exclusively upon one 
class of plants for garden decoration. Even Tuberous Begonias, 
which seem to be the most independent of weather conditions, are 
much retarded this season, and are only just commencing to reveal 
their true character. A few weeks’ bright sunny weather will 
however, suit these admirably and furnish the borders w r ith all the 
brilliant tints which the Pelargoniums have been struggling in "vain 
to produce. Some of the hardy herbaceous plants have resisted the 
torrents satisfactorily, but all with delicate soft-tinted flowers have 
been sadly damaged, while in our Rose gardens we have had td 
snatch a flower here and there amidst a melancholy array of unex¬ 
panded or decaying buds. 
Few plants can be compared with Violas and Pansies for rain- 
enduring constitution, and though we have had to lament the loss 
of scores of valued favourites amongst other plants, these have not 
only defied the weather, but have actually seemed to luxuriate in 
the abundant moisture. It is true growth has been a little di-awn 
and weakly in some instances, but the numbers and prolonged 
succession of the flowers have more than compensated for this in 
such a summer of floral dearth. Respecting the value of Violas 
more particularly we have been strongly reminded by the arrival of 
a varied collection of flowers from Mr. Wm. Dean of Solihull, most 
charmingly representing their astonishing range of colouring. 
Violas cannot be ranked amongst neglected plants in the same 
sense that many others can, but possessing such impox-tant qualities 
and so much variety, they ought unquestionably to be much more 
largely planted and more frequently seen in gardens. Why, for 
instance, as remarked by a correspondent, do we so seldom set them 
in the public parks or gardens ? Occasionally a mixed bed in which 
Viola cornuta is employed attracts attention, but no attempt has 
been made to adequately represent the beauty of these plants. In 
beds of one variety, mixed, or as margins to other plants, for which 
they are especially adapted, they have a delightful effect. 
It cannot be ui’ged that any difficulty is experienced in seeming 
distinct varieties, for there are now some scores of charming forms 
to select from, including the richest and the most delicate tints. 
Mr. Dean sends us about fifty varieties, of which the following may 
be mentioned as the best in the respective groups. Commencing 
with the purple seifs, or those in which rich velvety purple tints 
predominate, very notable is Sir Joseph Terry, a new variety 
that is not less remarkable for its depth of colour than for its 
compact habit and free flowering. Topsy also is good in colour and 
free, but being of more spreading habit is better for large beds. Two 
beautiful seedlings from the well known Cliveden Purple are 
named respectively Queen of Violets and Queen of Purples, both 
more compact in habit and more profuse than the parent variety. 
Amongst blue and lilac Violas True Blue is one of Mr. Dean’s 
No. 424 .—Vol. XVII., Thibd Sebies. 
raising, and a first-rate bedding variety, the colour a bright blue 
purple, of fine compact habit, sturdy constitution and exceptionally 
profuse. Navy Blue is one of the Blue Bell type but superior in 
habit and colour, Archie Grant being a favourite rich dark blue, 
and Queen of Lilacs a capital variety for lai’ge beds, the flowers of 
great size, lilac, with rich blue veins and a gold eye. Lilac and 
lavender tinted Violas, such as Duchess of Sutherland, Fairy 
Queen, and Elegans, are generally seen to better advantage when 
the weather is not quite so trying, but all are good, and especially 
the last-named, which should be freely employed in bedding. 
W T hite-flowered Violas are not very numerous, and they are 
usually rather disappointing, many so-called pure varieties coming 
splashed with colour, or of a dull dirty creamy hue. In Countess 
of Hopetoun we have, however, one of the best yet raised, the 
flowers of good shape, free from all markings, compact, and profuse 
in flowering. In contrast with some dark purples or velvety blues 
this variety is excellent. Mrs. Smith is another of the same type, 
but with larger flowers and a few fine rays in the centre. Mrs. 
Gray surpasses the other two in strength of habit; its flowers also 
are admirable in shape and size, possessing an agreeable fragrance, 
but in some seasons the flowers come tinted or streaked with pale 
purple. 
The yellow-flowered Violas afford some useful bedding varieties, 
a trio of deep yellow forms being Bullion, Golden Prince Imperia 1 , 
and Lutea pi-ofusa ; while of pale yellows Ardwell Gem, Golden 
Prince, Queen of Spring, and Golden Queen of Spring are equally 
good in all respects. The “ striped and clouded ” gioup is a large one, 
comprising some of the most handsome varieties in cultivation and 
the most telling in borders. Such, for instance, as the well known 
Countess of Ivintore, purple and white ; Rosebud, crimson and 
purple ; the Mearns, deep crimson and purplish mauve ; and Mrs. 
Baxter, rosy purple. Other beautiful varieties in the same group are 
Mrs. Henry Child, violet and blue, shaded light at the edges, a charm¬ 
ing novelty; Mrs. Tosh, Mrs. Brodie, Pytho, Spotted Gem, purple 
and white, and Ethel Baxter, rosy' purple with a lighter edge. The 
fancy Violas include several very peculiar and distinct varieties, Blue 
Cloud being a novelty of much promise, creamy white edged with 
deep blue ; Goldfinder, yellow edged mauve, is peculiar, but not so 
beautiful as the preceding ; Bronze Queen and Dawn of Day both 
deserving mention. 
Seven new varieties just to hand from Messrs. Debbie & Co., 
Rothesay, must also be noted here, as theyai-e of exceptional merit, 
having been l’aised by Mr. Baxter of Daldowie. In all the flowers 
are of good size and shape, the colours particularly rich. Gipsy 
Queen, lilac streaked, delicate and distinct; Hugh Ainslie, an 
improvement on Duchess of Albany ; Sunrise, the upper petals 
soft rose, the lower rich crimson streaked with purple, gold eye ; 
Queen of Scots an improvement on Countess of Kintore, deep 
violet centre, frding to nearly white at the edge, gold eye ; Lady 
Gertrude, of The Meari:s style and considered better, lower petals 
rich purplish crimson, upper pale blush or rose ; Lady Ashton, 
low r er petals creamy white, upper deeply bordered with rosy purple ; 
and Crown Jewel, deep maroon with a wire edge of creamy white, 
most effective, and extremely rich. 
Mr. W. Dean’s remarks on the culture of Violas may conclude 
this article, and are well worth consideration :— 
“ The Viola is easily propagated, either by cuttings during 
August, September, or October, and later, or by rooted offsets. 
Cuttings can be put in early on a shady border and kept damp 
in dry weather, no glass being necessary. In the southern, western, 
and more favoured districts Violas will stand well out of doors 
during the winter, but in cold wet districts and very exposed 
situations, and in the Black Country districts, it is best to keep 
young plants in cold frames, when they can be fully exposed to 
the weather, excepting in very severe weather or drenching rains. 
Use plenty of drainage, 6 inches to 8 inches of good soil, and the 
plants near Ihe glass, and from 2 inches to 3 inches apart, so that 
No. 2080. —Vol. LXXIX., Old Sebies. 
