1874. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
233 
the famous Astrlbe {Hoteia) japonica, while its handsome tripinnato foliage completes the 
picture of one of the most elegant hardy perennials grown in our gardens. For cutting, it is 
quite equal to the plant just named; while in the growing state, under favourable circum¬ 
stances, since it reaches at least a height of 3 ft. to 4 ft., it maybe employed to occupy 
positions where that would be altogether ineffective. 
- ®HE charming Begonia ]\lartiana^ with some other species, are bloom¬ 
ing freely out-doors on Mr. Wilson’s rootery at Weybridge. This is a plant to be 
much recommended for a similar purpose in other gardens; and being tuberous- 
rooted, it may be a useful subject for intercrossing with the new race which has sprung up 
from B. boliviensis—which, by-the-by, is likely to be of some importance in out-door decora¬ 
tive gardening. One of these, B. Sedeni, which has been blooming most charmingly at 
Weybridge, has been in the same position on the rootery for a couple of years, the tops being 
reduced to pulp by the first frost, but the root springing up again in spring. The brilliant 
Begonia Veitchii, which has also stood out for two or three winters, is growing in the finest 
health, and blooms successionally through the summer and autumn months. All these are 
planted in a somewhat sunny situation. We learn that these tuberous-rooted Begonias are also 
flowering beautifully on the rockwork at Kew, and are a great attraction. The finest there 
are B. Sedeni, B. carminata, B. intermedia, B. Anacreon, and B. Stella. 
- ®^iiE Blue Daisy {Beilis rotundifolia^ var. ccerulescens\ now flowering on 
the rockwork at Kew, is one of the valuable additions to our collections brought 
home three years ago by the expedition to Morocco of Dr. Hooker, Messrs. Maw 
and Ball. It was figured in the Botanical Magazine last year, where we are informed that 
‘‘the Blue Daisy is one of the commonest spring flowers in various parts of Morocco, abounding 
in fields with a rich soil on the hills near Tangier, and occurring in great profusion by the 
w'atercourses of the valleys of the Greater Atlas in latitude 31°, at elevations of 4,000 ft. to 
11,000 ft.” It flowers very profusely, and continues for a considerable time. The colour is 
rather pale, but with some of the few who possess it the colour has been bright. It does the 
best when planted on rockwork, and is increased by careful division, preferably of plants in pots. 
- ®HE southern Nertera depressa^ with its tiny stems and leaves forming 
a dense cushion, and covered with orange-red berries about the size of Sweet 
Peas, is one of the prettiest plants that can be used for rock\Vork. If placed in a 
warm house in spring, it will grow freely, and can be divided at will. Lange, supposing it 
distinct, in 1838 gave it the name N. scapanioides. There is, however, no sufficient charac¬ 
ter by which it can be distinguished. It has a wide geographical distribution, and appears to 
vary. It grows on the mountains of New Zealand and Tasmania, on the Island of Tristan 
d’Acunha, and on the Andos from Capo Horn to Now Grenada. 
- ^ PURE white variety of Campanula isophylla^ a very choice species, is 
flowering on the rockwork at Kew. It was raised from seed some time ago in the 
Royal Gardens, and is a welcome addition for rockwork cultivation with the 
original. It may be increased from cuttings. 0. isophyllais “ native of the ancient Liguria,” 
and is extremely limited as a wild plant; it has boon said to grow only on one rocky promon¬ 
tory in the whole world, in this respect somewhat resembling its ally Campanula Vidalii. 
- 3In the Journal of Botany^ Dr. Ilance records, in a list of plants found 
at Kinkang, a city of China, in lat. 29° 54' N., and long. 116° E., on the south 
bank of the river Yangtze, a district hitherto unknown to botanists, the dis¬ 
covery there of Lilium speriostun, var. Kcempferi, of which ho remarks:—‘‘ I am not aware 
that this beautiful plant, which Siebold believed to have been introduced into Japan from 
Korea, has heretofore been met with wild in China. It is a great favourite in Europe.” 
- Amongst the Orchard-house Trees.^ in Mr. Wilson’s garden, is a pot-tree 
of Coe’s Golden Drop Plum which is quite remarkable. The entire crop brought 
to maturity was 212 fruits. It should bo added that these are not dry, starveling 
fruits, but full-sized, succulent, high-flavoured examples of the variety, which is 
well known to be one of the best Plums in cultivation. • , 
w 
