1874 . ] 
NEW BEDDING VIOLAS.-OLEARIA HAA8TII. 
197 
being tossed about in a pot almost uncared for, and I fear, too, many times, but 
very poorly provided for. 
For some time the bush gave but little symptoms of growth, but towards the 
end of June I observed a general breaking into bud all over the plant. I could 
not at first at all satisfy myself whether they were flower-buds or leaf-buds. I 
had, however, not long to wait, for toward the second week in July, the plant 
showed decidedly that it meant to flower, and that liberally. We had now for 
about three weeks the pleasure of beholding 500 spikes of the most lovely pink 
infloresence, such as certainly must satisfy the most hypercritical. The flower- 
spikes varied in length from 4 in. to 12 in., and the number of florets on the 
flowering-spikes amounted collectively to 2,000. The plant altogether is only 
5 ft. high, by 4 ft. through. How it will comport itself after this severe flower¬ 
ing remains to be seen. Of one thing I feel satisfied, and that is, that the turning 
the plant out into its cool bed of soil was the means of inducing it to flower so 
abundantly, and to any one who may have a Lagerstromia in a pot I would say— 
by all means plant it out.—W m. Miller, Combe Abbey Gardens. 
NEW BEDDING VIOLAS.' 
HERE may be some amongst the readers of the Florist who may not 
have made a direct personal acquaintance with either of the new forms of 
Viola, which have originated from the V. cornuta. To such I heartily 
recommend the three forms named, Viola cornuta Sensation., Viola cornuta 
Admiration., Viola cornuta Purple Prince. The former is perhaps the earliest of 
these examples of “new blood,” the second and third, the former especially, being 
among the most telling of all summer bedding plants, especially when mixed with 
any of the white variegated-leaved Pelargoniums, such as Bijou, Flower of Spring, 
&c. As even a preferable companion to these, I may instance the old Mangles 
Variegated Pelargonium, amongst which I have some of these Violas growing, 
and the effect is certainly heightened, as the Violas seem to show up better from 
amidst the more procumbent stems and the smaller blooms of the latter kind. 
Then, again, as early spring plants, for blooming along with the Daisies, 
Yellow Cliveden Pansies, Silenes, Primroses, Polyanthuses, and Tulips, they are 
unapproachable. I have also seen them introduced in circular masses in front 
of young shrubberies, thus forming a continuous link in the chain of display, 
brilliant in their effect, of which similarly-coloured Crocuses give the foretaste, 
but which these Violas certainly beat, both in respect of colour and of distant 
effect.— William Earley, Valentines. 
OLEAHIA HAASTII. 
HIS New Zealand shrub proves to be hardy in the neighbourhood of 
London, having grown without injury for several years at Messrs. Veitch’s 
nursery at Coombe Wood, in Surrey. It belongs to the Composite order, 
and is most attractive as a flowering shrub, being literally covered with 
