THE 
FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
NEW HARDY BEGOMIAS. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
S HE plate with which we introduce to our readers a New Series of .the 
i Florist and Pomologist, represents a highly popular family of plants, 
under a new phase. "VYe have hosts of Begonias familiar as stove 
plants ; w T e are not unacquainted with them as inhabitants of the 
greenhouse or the window garden ; we have acquired some experience 
with them as ornaments of the summer flower garden ; but until the fortunate 
acquisition by the Messrs. Veitcli & Sons of the subjects of our illustration, 
no one was sanguine enough to hope to meet with any form of this popular 
genus, taking its rank amongst the hardy subjects—the everybody’s plants— 
of our gardens. And yet we are assured from practical experience, that this 
character will be sustained by one at least of the beautiful novelties we 
now figure, B. Veitchii having withstood a winter temperature of 25° F. 
with absolute impunity ; while as B. rose flora comes from an equally 
elevated habitat, it may fairly be assumed that it will keep rank with its 
brilliant compeer in respect to endurance of cold. 
Both these species are, it will be observed, dwarf herbaceous plants ; 
and even if it should prove that, whilst enduring the cold, they require 
some slight protection against the vicissitudes of our variable climate, we 
must welcome them as amongst the most valuable and important of recent 
acquisitions, since they are not only remarkable for the size and beauty 
of their blossoms, but also for the facility with which they may be culti¬ 
vated. Both are natives of the Andes of Peru, and grow at an elevation 
of from 12,000 to 12,500 feet 
Though presenting a certain amount of similarity in their aspect, the 
two sorts are abundantly different both as to foliage and flowers. B. Veitchii 
has thick concave leaves of an obliquely ovate or roundish cordate outline, 
two-flowered scapes 8 to 10 inches high, and large flowers of a bright 
3rd Ser.— i. 
B 
