1874 . ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
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fulness and length in the flower-stalk, and a certain style of beauty about the 
buds and flowers not to be met with in any of the sunflowers. It was introduced from Chili 
many years ago, and is not a very robust plant, but has one or more stems a few inches high, 
from which four or five branches are protruded, each surmounted by a flower. These begin 
to open about the end of June, and frequently remain till September. It has a tendency to 
throw undergi'ound runners, and to come up at a distance from tho parent stem, which often 
leads to its accidental destruction; these young shoots make good flowering plants. 
- the International Show at Belfast, a new Double-flowered Pansy^ 
Lord Waveney^ which is highly spoken of, was shown by Messrs. Allan and Son, 
of Ballymena. It is a fine deep purple flower, perfectly globular in shape, and 
judging from the plant shown, a very abundant bloomer, the flowers large in size, and well 
thrown up above the foliage. Messrs. Allan state that they believe it came in a batch of 
seedlings some three years ago, and, finding it much superior in richness of colour, abundance 
of bloom, size of flower, doubleness, and duration of time in flower, to tho old double variety, 
they at once commenced to propagate it. 
- ^HE Variegated Pine-ag)ple {Ananassa sativa variegata) is a beautiful 
plant, not only for exhibition purposes, but also for the decoration of the dinner- 
table. Mr. Sage; at Ashridge, grows it rather largely for this purpose, the plants 
being especially handsome when in fruit, since, in addition to the fine white and green varie¬ 
gation, the bracts and all the central parts of the plant acquire a strong tint of bright red, 
which renders them exceedingly effective. 
- Amongst the free-flowering varieties of Canna^ one of .the best is that 
named M. Celler^ which has been flowering in great beauty with Messrs. Stan- 
dish and Oo. during the past summer. It appears to have been raised from 
C. Bihorelli by M. Chretien, and was sent out by M. Lemoine. It grows about 2 ft. high, 
has green leaves, and bears fine bold compact spikes of large deep crimson flowers of a very 
showy character. These two Gannas are most desirable varieties for general cultivation, 
either in beds or in the borders. 
- '^The Pyracaniha {Cratcegus Pyracanthd) is beyond question the most 
brilliant of all evergreen shrubs for a wall in winter, when covered with its rich 
clusters of orange-scarlet berries. Fire Thorn, the meaning of its specific name, 
very well expresses the glowing colour of its fruit. The ordinary South European form is, 
however, said to be far surpassed by the variety crenulata, from the mountains of India, which 
has larger glossy leaves and vermilion-coloured berries. It is quite hardy in Britain, as it 
grows at an altitude of between 5,000 and 7,000 ft. on the Himalayan Mountains. It was 
introduced in 1818, and may be found in most nurseries. 
- noticed lately, at Messrs. Lane’s Nursery at Berkhamstead, some 
of the Shrubby Ivies, grown in pots, both as dwarf bushes and as standards, and 
which formed exceedingly interesting objects, very useful for many decorative 
purposes, such as the furnishing of halls or corridors, or for mixing with other plants in cold 
conservatories and greenhouses. Neatly grown into compact symmetrical specimens, they 
have a much more tasteful and pictural appearance than might at first be supposed, and are, 
in fact, remarkably effective. 
- ^ FINE specimen of Arundo conspicua, one of the finest of ornamental 
grasses, the largest, and perhaps the most beautiful of the natives of New Zealand, 
has lately been flowering freely in the succulent house at Kew. Though suitable for 
planting in the open ground, it is also desirable in pots for the conservatory, as the graceful 
plumes last for months in the best condition. It would be a striking subject for exhibition. 
It seeds freely, and in this way plants may be produced in quantity. For its culture, rich 
loam is preferable ; and while growing, especially when the flower-stems are rising, a shallow 
pan of water in which to stand the pot is of great benefit. 
- ^IpHE Florence International Exhibition is said to haye proved a 
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