May 8,'1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
877 
gardener to Count Henckel Von Donnersmarck, Upper Silesia, 
■which attracted much attention from the English visitors. The 
plants ■were over 6 feet high, 3 feet in diameter, and ■were loaded 
with flowers. 
MEGASEAS. 
In gardens where diversity and general picturesque beauty is 
■sought Jlegaseas or Giant Rockfoils should always hold a promi¬ 
nent position, since we have few plants so distinctly beautiful for 
the greater part of the year, and at the same time so well suited 
to a variety of uses. We sometimes find really handsome estab¬ 
lished tufts of the commoner species, such as JI. cordifolia and M. 
crassifolia, but it is only in isolated cases, and I only know of a 
solitary instance where they are grown extensively, and where also 
they are put to elaborate use, with such excellent results year by 
year. _ That solitary instance is in the charming spring gardens at 
Belvoir, and there it is one of the grandest hardy plants one could 
ever wish to behold, the species so extensively employed being 
M. ligulata, one of the best of the whole group ; and if the excep¬ 
tional luxuriance of this plant could be produced under ordinary 
circumstances, there is no doubt that it would soon become famous. 
The gardens of Belvoir Castle are, however, wonderfully favour¬ 
able for the growth of these and many other hardy plants, for 
although I have grown this species by the hundred, I have never 
been able to obtain the noble foliage and the giant spikes of flowers 
which it produces in the gardens referred to above. Nearly or 
•quite 2 feet high, with only ordinary care in somewhat stiff soil, 
and a sheltered spot, it is annually a charming picture of rosy white 
flowers in spring, while its foliage, carrying tints of bronzy hue j 
in summer and autumn, renders it a welcome addition for associa- ' 
tion with other plants of more sombre hue. i 
From a cultural standpoint these Megaseas require a deep rich | 
soil, rather stiff than otherwise, and which is all the better for j 
the plants when fairly moist throughout the year; then in a ' 
position sheltered from cold and cutting winds, M. ligulata is a 
truly noble plant. One thing, however, has surprised me from 
time to time, and it is the extreme variability to be found in 
their adaptability to soils and positions. For example, M. ligulata I 
in warm well drained light soil loses every vestige of foliage j 
annually, but this is always retained in sheltered positions. I • 
have side by side in the open ground that above named, also ' 
]\I. crassifolia, M. cordifolia, and M. cordifolia purpurea ; the j 
three latter are evergreen, and the last, notwithstanding that it has j 
been propagated rather hard, outstrips all the rest in vigorous I 
-constitution, perfect hardiness in all winters, endures drought [ 
with impunity, and produces grand spikes of its pendulous bell- i 
shaped reddish purple annually nearly or quite 2 feet high. But i 
while this does so remarkably well in drier soils, I incline to the 
belief that it would be even more massive and luxuriant in a 
stiffen moister soil, and whether in flower or not the red bronzy 
shaded are always pleasing and effective. It is of garden origin 
•and only of recent introduction. The type species M. cordifolia 
is a native of Siberia : M. crassifolia is also very distinct and 
attractive, forming close tufts of erect reddish leaves and spikes 
of rosy red flowers. Then there are M. purpurascens somewhat 
resembling the last named in growth, having deep purple flowers. 
A native of the Himalayas. 
There are others again, the hardiness of which is by no means 
certain, and which must receive frame protection in winter, or, better 
still, if they could be accorded positions in the cool conservatory, 
planted out. Those requiring protection are M. ciliata, a hand¬ 
some plant almost deciduous in winter, and producing hairy leaves, 
and white and rose flowers in spring time. On a level with this as i 
to hardiness stands M. Stracheyi, an Himalayan species, of which j 
^llso there is a white variety, the flowers of the type being pinkish 
-externally, and is now in flower (P’ebruary 27th). Another nearly 
allied kind is M. Milesi, also somewhat tender and inclined to 
deciduous. This last has rose and white flowers, and being some¬ 
what dwarfer than the rest should be grown in pots. These 
deciduous, or semi-deciduous kinds—which, by the way, behave in 
a greater or less degree according to the circumstances under which 
they are grown, are, so far as the individual flowers are concerned, 
exceedingly handsome, and well deserving a place in all gardens 
where good hardy plants receive the attention they deserve. The 
more robust species are specially suited for the large rockery in bold 
masses, so placed that their stout leathery leaves may clothe the 
sides of projecting ledges of the rock. 
Those named above, while including the leading species and 
varieties as generally known to cultivators, by no means exhaust 
the list of these valuable spring flowers, for already the hybridist 
has been at work, and his patience and perseverance rewarded by a 
rich and varied series of these plants ; and although I am not as yet 
able to speak of their merits from personal observation, I have 
reason to believe they include some very decided improvement in 
both colour and size of truss, colours too wo do not possess in the 
older kinds. For these new and improved forms we are indebted 
to Mr. Thos. Smith of Newry, who no doubt will continue to im¬ 
prove this charming group. Happily, too, Mr. Smith is to be con¬ 
gratulated upon his choice of the parents of these hybrids—viz., 
il. cordifolia and M. purpurascens, both being of perfect hardiness 
and of vigorous constitution generally, a fact which may tend to 
render their offspring invaluable to the future generations of the 
gardening community.—J. H. E. 
IRIS SINDJARENSIS. 
A N addition to the early flowering Irises of dwarf habit attracted 
some attention at a recent meeting of the Koyal Horticultural Society, 
FIG. 57.— IRIS SINDJARENSIS. 
when the Floral Committee granted Messrs. Barr Sc Son an award of 
merit for the plant. The flowers are of moderate size, and though less 
showy than the favourite early Iris reticulata, the delicate lavender blue 
tint is very pleasing. A most distinct character is afforded by the 
leaves, which are broad, closely set on the stem, recurving, and of a 
glaucous tint. The moderate size of the plant adapts it for culture in 
pots, and out of doors it would need a somewhat warm and sheltered 
situation to ensure its success. 
CYPERUS DISTANS. 
The plant known in the market by this name is the most 
useful of all the Cyperus, and for various decorative purposes is 
surpassed by few plants. It is suitable either for the table, group- 
