THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, June 9, 1857. 
151 
NEW OR RARE GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 
Collectors of plants residing at a distance from the 
metropolis are often at a loss to know what new plants 
are really worth buying; and as greenhouses are far 
more common than stoves, so plants suitable for such a 
garden structure are happily also more plentiful. The 
Cape of Good Hope was formerly the great storehouse 
from whence collectors drew largely various species of 
plants to ornament the temperate clime of the green¬ 
house. From that prolific region we have the large 
tribe of Heaths, also Pelargoniums and Mesembry- 
anthemums, and many others ; but, on the discovery of 
j the immense region now called Australia, the plants 
proper for the greenhouse have increased tenfold, and, 
with the exception of the Heaths, have almost superseded 
the Cape plants. Let the reader glance over a catalogue 
now, and compare it with Miller’s Dictionary, tie will 
find hundreds of Acacias, Blandfordias, Boronias, 
Bossiseas, Chorozemas, Daviesias, Dillwynias, Erioste- 
mons, Gastrolobiums, Gompholobiums, Pimeleas, &e., 
that good old Philip Miller knew nothing of. Supposing 
a modern gardener tolerably acquainted with green¬ 
house plants was suddenly compelled to cultivate only 
plants known in the middle of the last century, I 
imagine he would think his show of bloom would be 
meagre indeed. I am, however, rattling away on my 
hobby-horse, and must come to a stop, or my list of 
new plants will come in at the tail end of my paper 
instead of occupying, as I intended when I began, the 
entire page. The first plant I will notice is 
Andromeda phillyrevEfolia (Phillyrea-leaved Andro¬ 
meda).—This is a half-hardy, Myrtle-like, new shrub, with 
very dark-coloured leaves, and snow white blossoms, thus 
setting off each other by contrast to great advantage. It 
will live in a greenhouse without heat excepting in the 
severest frosts. 
Anopteris glandulosus. —Though not quite new, 
this handsome plant, with Fern-like leaves and white 
and pink flowers, is not so well known as it deserves. 
It has the desirable property of blooming in winter. 
Bejaria jEstuans. —Bejaria should be pronounced as 
if there was no j in it, Be-aria. JEstuans means glowing , 
from the blossoms being of a rich, bright, glossy rose 
colour. The genus may be said to be the Heaths of 
Peru. This species is the handsomest yet known. It 
requires, however, to be of some size before it flowers 
i freely. 
Boronia Drummondti. —Lovely as most of the species 
of this charming genus are, this comparatively new one 
surpasses them all. Every greenhouse, however small, 
ought to contain a plant of it. I cannot too strongly 
recommend it. The foliage is almost as lovely as the 
! finest Fern ; its branches are delicately slender; and its 
blossoms are very numerous, even on a small plant, and 
: of a bright rosy crimson colour. Unlike the B. serrulata, 
l it is of the easiest culture. 
Cyclamen Atkinsii. — Here is another charming 
plant well worthy of universal cultivation. It is a 
variety of O. Persicum, but comes true from seed. The 
: flowers are beautifully striped, and the foliage is pretty, 
though smaller than its prototype. It is said to be 
hardy, but is so lovely, and flowers so much more freely 
in a greenhouse, that I would recommend it to be kept 
| in the greenhouse always through the winter and 
! spring until the bloom is over. 
Daviesia Frazerii. —A charming plant of neat habit, 
producing most abundantly long racemes of orange 
yellow and crimson flowers. The leaves are of the 
unusual colour of a glaucous or milky hue. 
Daviesia Hookerii. —This is a very dwarf species, of 
a compact habit, with long racemes of rich-coloured, 
pea-shaped blossoms. It is quite new, and a worthy 
plant of easy culture. 
Desfontania spinosa. —As its name imports, this is a 
thorny-leaved plant, very like a species of Holly. It 
has been lately introduced by Messrs. Veitch, but from 
its easy propagation is now generally cultivated. In the 
south of Eugland no doubt it will live out of doors. 
The flowers are very distinct from the Holly, being of a 
tubular shape and crimson and yellow colour. Every 
way it is a very desirable plant, and should be in every 
collection. 
Dillwynia scabra (rough).—A great acquisition from 
Australia. The stems and leaves are studded with pro¬ 
tuberances; hence its specific name. Its flowers are of a 
rich scarlet, margined with yellow, produced in clusters 
of ten or twelve together. It is really a charming species, 
well worthy of cultivation. 
Gastrolobium Drummondii. —A good addition to a 
good genus. The Gastrolobiums are amongst the tallest 
shrubs of New South Wales. This species is one of 
the dwarfest. The flowers are of a deep orange colour, i 
with a pure white centre. They are produced in great 
profusion in short spikes. 
Gastrolobium Leekianum. —Distinct and beautiful. 
The flowers spring in bunches from the axils of the 
leaves, aud are of a dark, rich orange colour, veined 
with purple. 
Gastrolobium spectabile. —Beautiful as many of 
the plants are that now ornament our greenhouses from 
Australia, this species is equal, if not superior to them 
all. It is of a dwarf, compact habit. The flowers are 
rather large, produced in spikes at the ends of the 
shoots. They are of a rich orange scarlet, very showy, 
and last a considerable time in bloom. 
Genetyllis tulipifera (Tulip - bearing).—A very 
singular and strikingly beautiful plant, producing 
large flowers shaped like a Tulip, only they hang 
downwards bell-fashion. They are pure white, varie¬ 
gated with crimson. The plant requires frequent 
stopping to induce it to form a compact bush. With 
a little management in that respect it will be a 
great ornament either on the stage at home or in the 
exhibition tent. 
Gompholobium Lindleyanum. —This plant will be 
greatly valued as an exhibition plant when more gene¬ 
rally known. It has a more dwarf habit than G. bar- 
bigerum. The flowers are large, and of a rich yellow 
colour. 
Gompholobium venustum. —A distinct species, and 
beautiful both in foliage and bloom. It is a sort of hall 
climber, having slender, longish branches. The foliage 
has a Fern-like character, very neat and interesting. 
The flowers are produced in summer, and are of a 
shaded purple colour. 
Hemiandra pungens. —Dwarf and compact in habit, 
with small, neat foliage. Flowers in perfection for several 
months in the year. The flowers are of a bright lilac 
colour, with dark spots, useful for stage decoration and 
exhibition purposes. 
Lapageria rosea. —Mr. Beaton has described this 
plant and its culture so often and well that 1 need 
only say that I entirely agree with him. I may, 
however, add that it is decidedly the very best of all 
greenhouse climbers. The white variety is also equally 
beautiful. 
Lilium giganteum.— A noble-growing plant, with 
large heart-shaped foliage, and a flower-stem that l 
have seen ten leet high, with more than a dozen large, 
pendulous, long-tubed blossoms at the top. The colour 
white, sheathed in purple. A nobler and more striking 
plant I never saw. T. Appleby. 
(To be continued.) 
