276 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 24, 1888. 
at first, and after I was fully convinced they were no better than our 
common wild variety I gave a few more varieties a trial, which I have 
done in a liberal way in every respect, and with no better results. The 
plants were put into the best position in the garden in the spring of 1884. 
They made capital growth last year and this one as well, but the fruits 
have been only moderate in numbers and no better in size or quality than 
bushels which we could gather in the woods about here just now. The 
Kittatiny variety was the first to deceive me, and now that the Lawton, 
Philadelphia, and others have proved equally useless nothing will induce 
me either to retain them or try them further. We might expect to find 
them plentiful in many gardens and at shows, but although I have 
visited many of both in England and Wales this season I have not once 
been able to find a dish of them in any way superior to our hedgerow 
kind. Indeed, I believe if this hedge one was taken into our gardens and 
fed, trained, and cultivated like those American kinds, that it would turn 
out superior to any variety ever imported.—J. Muir, Margam. 
THE LONDON PARKS. 
HYDE PARK. 
This is by many considered the most important of the London parks ; 
more, perhaps, because it is the recognised resort of what is known as the 
fashionable world than for its superior attractiveness or extent. 
Hyde Park covers some 400 acres of ground, so that, if second only in 
point of size, it is still of considerable extent. The land has been the pro¬ 
perty of the Crown for upwards of three centuries, in fact since the 
Reformation, when it was wrested from the monks of the Abbey of 
Westminster by the wily and unscrupulous Henry VIII. The manor of 
Hyde had been held by the monks for several centuries previous to the 
disestab’ishment, which reduced them from power and affluence to 
impotence and poverty, the Court and its satellites being only too eager to 
despoil the monasteries of their broad and fertile acres, on which their 
eyes had long been greedily fixed. The manor of Hyde was extensive 
and well stocked with game, hence it was soon seized upon by the king, to 
whose hunting preserves it made a welcome addition. It is not known 
with certainty when the park was first enclosed. The Serpentine, the 
broad piece of water which now intersects it, was formed about a century 
ago. 
The floral arrangements are not conducted here, there, and everywhere 
in Hyde Park. Little will be found except in the splendid stretch of beds 
between Hyde Park Corner and the Marble Arch, and in the Dell and 
its surroundings, which will be subsequently alluded to. But in the beds 
referred to there is extent and variety enough to please the enthusiast. 
Scores of beds, of countless styles and designs, evoke admiration, and are 
alone worth a long iourney to see. We will describe a few of the most 
effective of them. Starting from the Piccadilly end, a circular bed first 
attracts our notice. The centre is occupied by Pelargonium Princess 
Alexandra and Viola lilacina, the silvery-edged green foliage of the 
former contrasting nicely with the lilac-blue flowers of the Viola. A 
ring of the purple-lea7ed Iresine Lindeni surrounds the mass, and the bed 
is margined with blue Violas. It is exceedingly pretty. The next 
arrangement is a somewhat novel one, but is highly effective : the grace¬ 
ful foliage of Jacaranda mimostefolia, which grows about 2 feet high, is 
contrasted with that of Fuchsia Sunray. Iresine Lindeni is planted here 
and there amongst them, and the bed is carpeted with the green 
Herniaria glabra. A line of Coleus splendens is planted along the front, 
and the whole is margined with a band of the silvery-grey Santolina 
incana. Equally novel and little less effective is an arrangement of 
Lobelia cardinalis, scarlet, 2 feet high ; Celosia pyramidalis coccinea, 
crimson plumes, 2 feet high ; and white Stocks. The bed is carpeted with 
Giant Musk, edged with Iresine, and margined with the pretty mauve- 
coloured Lobelia Omen. 
One or two beds of Begonias are an interesting feature of the bedding 
here, and these plants might be more generally employed for bedding 
purposes, for which their adaptability has been pointed out many times. 
They grow to a convenient height, 1 to 1J foot, and are very bright and 
varied in colour, besides being floriferous and hardy. The first of these 
beds we noticed was planted with Begonias in variety, with a ring of 
Pelargonium Mrs. Quilter, and a marginal ring of Lobelia Emperor 
William. It was very atttractive, although the Begonias were not at 
their best. The next bed was attractive in a double sense ; it was 
planted with Heliotrope Jean d’Amour—a broad mass of dark blue, 
powerfully fragrant, and edged with Golden Feather and Lobelia 
speciosa. 
Begonias in variety formed the most conspicuous occupants of another 
large bed. It was carpeted with Pilea muscosa, commonly known as the 
Artillery Plant. An edging of the slender-leaved variegated Grass, Poa 
trivialis variegata, heightened its effect, and it was margined with Lobelias. 
With the exception of the last-named, none of the plants mentioned is 
widely used for bedding purposes, though they look admirable thus 
arranged together. A good contrast is secured by the very simple arrange¬ 
ment of the pink Pelargonium Lady Bailey, Iresine Lindeni, and the 
large orange flowers and pretty leafage of Gazania splendens. These 
occupy another large bed, the Pelargoniums, of course, being in the 
centre. There are many large beds of Pelargoniums of different varieties 
generally arranged with Iresines and Ageratums ; they should be very 
effective when at their best, but the heavy rains last week dashed away 
many of the flowers. Nevertheless, in others that are somewhat sheltered 
the flowers are as plentiful and brilliant as ever. 
A mixed bed of Acacia lophantha and Dianthuses is attractive, the 
former having graceful foliage, the latter large flowers of diverse and 
brilliant hues. These Indian Pinks are well worth growing by ev ery 
one, being very gay ; they may be treated as annuals, for if the seed is 
sown early the plants will flower the same year. After flowering they 
may be pulled up to make room for other things, fresh seed being sown 
the following spring for the next year’s display. A broad mass of Lantana 
Ne Plus Ultra, lilac, forms the distinguishing feature of another bed, a 
line of Coleuses, and a margin of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium varie- 
gatum completing it. A very pretty bed is formed by planting white 
Begonias, carpeting the ground with Alternantheras, a ring of Coleuses 
round the Begonias, and a marginal ring of Echeveria secunda glauca 
outside. An arrangement not previously observed is that of mixing 
Verbena venosa and Abutilon Thompsoni ; each grows about 18 inches 
high, the former having light purple flowers, which are borne with great 
freedom, the latter broad, prettily mottled leaves. The effect is good. 
The front of the beds is occupied with Pelargonium Queen of Queens, 
Iresine Herbsti, and a margin of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium 
variegatum. 
The fine foliage of Solanum marginatum is shown to advantage in 
another example, while Nicotiana afiinis, Polymnia grandis, and Pelar¬ 
goniums in mixture are equally effective. Ficus elastica contrasts well 
with the slender leaves of Dracaena congesta, and the bed is attractively 
completed by a pretty carpet of Abutilon vexillarium, lines of Pelargo¬ 
niums and Coleuses, and a margin of Mesembryanthemum. It will not 
be necessary to give more examples of the different styles of bedding 
in Hyde Park, the beds described are but a few selected from dozens of 
others equally worthy of attention. There is variety enough to please all 
tastes, and the effect of the whole is superb. 
Leaving the flower beds, the Dell near Albert Gate must be visited. 
It is, perhaps, the most attractive corner of the Park. Mounds have 
been thrown up and planted with various shrubs and flowering plants, 
while a stream of water runs through the lower ground, on the banks of 
which Grasses, aquatic plants, Palms, Tree Ferns, and subtropical plants 
are arranged with excellent effect. The Dell can be seen to good advan¬ 
tage from the bridge above. There is also a pretty mixed border of 
annual and herbaceous plants, such as Carnations, Pentstemons, Marigolds, 
Campanulas in variety, Stocks, Liliurus, of which there is a large number, 
Antirrhinums, Gaillardias, Gladioli, and many other plants. 
There is an attractive group of beds on the right hand side of the walk 
parallel with Rotten Row, just before the Dell is reached. One is com¬ 
posed of single and double Dahlias, which are now flowering splendidly. 
The colours are very brilliant, and there is plenty of variety. A ring of 
scarlet Pelargoniums and a margin of white Lobelias surround them. 
The other beds, which were chiefly composed of subtropical plants, are 
also worthy of notice, as is the beautiful border of mixed plants near. 
From Hyde Park the visitor may pass into Kensington Gardens. A 
long border of mixed plants stretches on each side of the footpath, which 
starts from near the Albert Memorial and runs parallel with Kensington 
Gore almost to the end of the Gardens. This is not so attractive as it 
might easily be made, but the walk is a popular promenade. Some 
pretty flower beds may also be seen in front of the Ivy-covered cottage in 
the Gardens, which usually attract considerable attention. The beds in 
front of Kensington Palace should be visited ; they are prettily laid out. 
Pelargoniums in variety are employed very plentifully, and a long border 
composed of a row of Tagetes signata pumila at the back, then a row of 
scarlet Pelargoniums, next Ageratum, and white Lobelia in the front row, 
is particularly attractive.—P. 
REGENTS PARK. 
Although the recent heavy rains have considerably impaired the 
effect of the flower bedding in this fine park it is well worthy of inspec¬ 
tion, and a visit should be paid at the earliest opportunity. Bedding is 
not conducted on a very extensive scale, nor is it particularly varied in 
character. There are no elaborate designs in carpet or ordinary bedding, 
but there are some very pretty beds and borders to be seen, and the effect 
is not less pleasant because secured by simple means. Many of our 
readers are probably aware that the flower beds in this Park are situated 
in what is known as the Broad Avenue, through which visitors pass on 
their way to the Zoological Gardens. The majority of the beds are 
arranged in one large group. They are composed chiefly of Pelargoniums 
of sorts, banded with Coleus or Iresine, and edged with Lobelias.. The 
Pelargoniums have been very good indeed this year, but the rain, of 
course, has dashed many of the flowers to pieces, and much of the bloom 
has been removed in taking the cuttings required for next year’s display. 
Notwithstanding this they still present a brilliant appearance. 
Many of the mixed beds are noteworthy. We will describe a few of 
the most effective of them. A large bed. of Fuchsias and blue and 
yellow Pansies, with the handsome foliage of Chamaepeuce diacantha, had 
an admirable effect, which was enhanced by a band of scarlet Tropmolums 
and a margin of Echeveria secunda glauca. We have seen few more 
effective beds than this. Several circular beds of Acacia lophantha, 
graceful in foliage, with an outer ring of the Marigold-like Gazania 
splendens, were also good. 
In another large bed the gay flowers of the annual Chrysanthemums 
were contrasting with the broad handsome foliage and stately growth of 
Solanum marginatum, edgings of Zonal Pelargoniums and Pansies com¬ 
pleting the bed. The pure white drooping flowers of Abutilon Boule de 
Neige were attractive in another example, which was carpeted with a 
fragrant mass of Musk, surrounded by a ring of scarlet Pelargoniums, 
and edged with Golden Feather. The prettily mottled foliage of Abutilon 
niveum aureum maculatum was seen to good advantage in a bed carpetep 
