JUNE. 
121 
DIADEM PELARGONIUM. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
The marvellous beauty of the huge masses of Pelargoniums we meet with 
at our horticultural exhibitions, is hardly more attributable to the improve¬ 
ments which have been brought about in respect to their cultivation, than to 
the improvements which have been—slowly, perhaps, but surely—effected in 
regard to the quality of the flowers. The advance has been progressive; but 
never, perhaps, has the progress been so decided, or the step so unmistakeable, 
as in the past and the preceding year, thanks to the efforts of Messrs. Hoyle, 
Foster, Beck, and others.. May success continue to reward their labours ! 
The variety called Diadem, which is represented in our plate, is one of the 
best and most characteristic of the flowers of 1363, and for it we are indebted 
to Mr. Hoyle, of Reading, whose name is a household word amongst all lovers 
of the Pelargonium. It gained a first-class certificate at the May Show at 
South Kensington, and is described in the report of that meeting as “ a large 
showy variety, of free habit; the flowers of excellent form, and of a very 
distinct and pleasing rosy purple colour on the lower petals, where it is some¬ 
what spotted; the upper petals being dark maroon, with a rosy purple edge, , 
and the throat clear. It is quite an acquisition.” We can add but little to 
this description, but we can fully endorse all that is said in respect to the 
merits of the flower, and bear our testimony to its great beauty. We may 
mention that the variety also obtained a first-class certificate at the Exhibition 
of the Royal Botanic Society, as well as the first prize at the Crystal Palace, 
and at Reading. It is in the hands of Mr. Turner, of Slough. 
There are several prominent last year’s flowers in addition to that we have 
figured. As far as our own observations have gone, those named below are 
amongst the most desirable :— 
Achilles ( Hoyle ).—A dark rich flower, of beautiful form, and a profuse 
and constant bloomer; crimson clouded with maroon on the lower petals, 
almost entirely maroon on the upper petals, the throat white. 
Artist {Hoyle). —A large flower of the finest form ; colour deep rose 
slightly spotted on the lower petals, dark maroon passing to red at the margin 
of the upper ones, the throat white. 
Aimee {Beck). —A handsome flower new in colour, the top petals being 
nearly black with maroon crimson edge, the lower ones dark purple painted 
with maroon. 
Belle of the Ball {Foster). — A very fine variety in every respect; 
light crimson marbled with maroon crimson, the upper petals very dark 
maroon, and the throat pure white. 
Lord Eversley {Hoyle). —A free, rich-looking, constant flower of ex¬ 
cellent quality ; colour a warm tinted rose on the lower petals; the upper, rich 
maroon with crimson margin. 
Jewess {Foster). —A free and very fine variety, rose with richly-painted 
lower petals, and black upper petals edged with crimson ; it is deeper and richer 
than Bacchus, with more white in the eye. 
Maid of Honour {Beck). —A distinct and pleasing variety contrasting 
well with other sorts; colour purplish lilac, with maroon top petals; an im¬ 
provement on 
Peerless {Hoyle). —A rich, dark-coloured, spotted variety, and a very 
free bloomer; colour rose heavily marked with red and orange and maroon 
spot, the upper petals dark with narrow margin. 
Princess of Wales {Beck).—A. very striking flower; colour crimson 
TOL. III. G 
