THE COTTAGKE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 29, 1857. 
197 
colour beyond. Again, if the collection be grown in a 
long border on each side of a walk, the back row 
might be white ; the next, rose ; the next, blush; and 
next the walk, a low dark variety. This order might 
be continued part of the way, and then gradually re¬ 
versed. I have grown long borders of Phloxes, arranged 
in such a style, and they were much admired. I fear 
it will be difficult to persuade any gardener or amateur, 
to give up a small plot to the culture of Phloxes alone ; 
but let any one try a small corner, or retired nook, 
with these plants, and I will venture to say, he will 
not regret the time and space given to them, especially 
if he procure the improved varieties. T. Appleby. 
(To be continued .) 
NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 
Grevillea Alpesteis. Nat. ord., Proteacece .— 
Native of New Holland; and introduced to our gar¬ 
dens through the agency of Mr. Rollisson, Tooting. A 
very handsome and freely-branching shrub. Branches 
slender, pale green, and densely covered with foliage. 
Leaves small, ovate, but more frequently elliptical; 
dark green on the upper surface, pale on the under 
surface, and pubescent on both. Inflorescence um¬ 
bellate, with short, downy pedicels. Perianth mode¬ 
rate in length, dull scarlet in the lower half, becoming 
gradually yellow in the upper half; slightly hispid. 
This ranks among the best recently-introduced 
greenhouse plants ; and is decidedly superior to most 
of the species of Grevillea already in our collections. 
It blooms profusely, and lasts long ; and while in 
flower, the plant possesses such a happy contrast of 
green, scarlet, and yellow, that it cannot fail to please. 
The culture seems very simple. A compost of about 
equal parts of loam and peat, fibrous and light, with a 
good portion of sand, over a well-secured drainage, 
suits it remarkably well; and a cool pit, while the 
plant is young, is the best place to grow it in. Stop¬ 
ping is, of course, necessary in growing the plant for 
exhibition purposes; but the natural habit of the 
plant is very good. Increases easily by cuttings in 
very sandy peat in the usual temperature for cuttings 
of greenhouse plants. 
Polygonum Vacciniifolium. Nat. ord., Polygo- 
nacece .—Introduced into this country by Dr. lioyle, 
from the Himalaya. Perennial, with short, creeping, 
branching stems. Leaves alternate, smooth, acutely 
ovate, gliding suddenly into a short petiole. Stipules 
sheathing, very membraneous, cut very deeply and 
finely at the apex. Inflorescence, a spike about three 
inches long, terminal, and lateral; thickly crowded 
with bright, rosy florets. Calyx of five ovate, spread¬ 
ing sepals. A beautiful little hardy plant, if placed in 
the situation it favours ; but about this it is rather 
articular. It will bear plenty of shade and moisture; 
ut it so dislikes sunshine and dryness, that it dies of 
them. The northern and lower side of a rockery seems 
to be the most suitable place for it; as coolness, shade, 
and a degree of moisture are more easily secured in 
such a situation than if the plant were bedded out. 
It blooms in October and November ; and during 
these months nothing can surpass its liveliness ; im¬ 
parting, as it does, a glow to everything around it. 
Any common garden soil, if not too close, to be over- 
retentive of moisture, or so open as to become dried 
up, suits it well; and it may be propagated by division, 
cuttings, or seeds. 
Clematis Tubulosa. Nat. ord., Pcinuncidacece .— 
Native of northern China. Stems erect, two or three 
feet high; sparely branched, two or three inches at 
the base, woody ; the rest herbaceous. Leaves oppo¬ 
site, on long petioles; which latter are grooved above, 
and slightly swollen at the base, trifoliate, with the i 
leaflets between ovate and rhomboid; the two lateral 
ones rather unequal-sided; margins lobed, and furnished 
with mucronate toothings. Veins very prominently 
reticulated on both surfaces; somewhat downy. In¬ 
florescence corymbose, with downy peduncles, and ' 
pedicels. Calyx divided into four linear sepals, of 
rather fleshy substance ; at first erect, afterwards be¬ 
coming reflexed. A very distinct and curious species, 
and well worthy a place in a choice collection of her- j 
baceous plants. It blooms in August and September. 
A moderately light soil, and a good exposure, develope 
it well ; and, being quite hardy, these are easily 
secured. May be propagated by seeds or division. 
S. G. W. 
[We shall be much obliged by the monthly notes.— i 
Ed. C. G.] 
NOTES EOR JANUARY. 
Sow the double-blossomed Parly Frame Pea , in rows, five 
feet apart. It is an old sort, but good in quality, and pro¬ 
ductive. When the crop makes its appearance above ground, 
a good sprinkling of soot will promote its growth, and check 
the attacks of slugs. Sow the sword Long-pod Lean , four feet 
apart; it will produce an excellent succession. Towards the 
end of the month, sow small beds of Parly Horn Carrots , and 
short-top Radishes, on a warm border ; a row or two of 
Parsley , as an edging to borders; and a small bed or two of 
Onions will be as certain to vegetate as any of the other seeds 
at this early season, and are left untouched by the crawling 
enemies of early spring vegetables. 
Plant Ash-leaved Kidney Potatoes in any sheltered situa¬ 
tion, on a dry border, or at the foot of a wall, or fence; 
Shallots and Garlic in very shallow drills, being only pressed 
sufficiently to stand them firmly on the soil, which would be 
improved by the admixture of a little wood-ashes, or charred 
refuse, along the drills. Plant the smallest Onions —the two- 
bladed is the most preferable, not being so apt to run to seed 
as the other sorts. Early Peas and Leans , appearing above 
ground, to be protected from frost by chawing the earth from 
each sicte over them, or by covering them with sand or sawdust. 
If severe frosts set in, the Ccmlijlower and Lettuce plants, in 
pits or frames, or under hancllights, will require some pro¬ 
tection ; but if, through any neglect, they become frozen, the 
bad effects may bo obviated, by covering them up to the exclu¬ 
sion of sunlight until they are perfectly thawed; advantage 
to be also taken of such favourable weather for wheeling dung 
on to the ground, for throwing heavy ground into riclg«s, and 
for turning over manure heaps, which are then most effectually 
done both for the destruction of grubs, and to ameliorate the 
condition of the mass, by turning off the frozen or encrusted 
portion each morning until the whole is finished. 
The Gooseberry and Currant trees may now be pruned, and 
the best of the primings put in as cuttings. In some places, the 
buds are picked out by the birds when the winter is severe, 
and food scarce, where pruning is postponed to the latter part 
of February. Although the weather is remarkably mild, we 
should not be allured into a false security; but act with the 
impression strongly on our minds, that there “ are breakers 1 
ahead.” 
Dig and supply flower-beds with fresh soil, composed, if pos- : 
sible, of a large portion of leaf mould. When the weather will 
not permit out-door operations, such leisure time may be use¬ 
fully employed in making lots of flow r er-stakes of different sizes, 
and painting them; also labels, pegs, and brooms, where birch 
is at hand. Forethought is necessary to provide such things 
now; for, if postponed until they are wanted for use, the busy . 
time will have arrived when such tedious work will be con¬ 
sidered a bore. As many of the bulbs, and other florists’ 
flowers, are peeping out of the ground, and making an un¬ 
usually early growth on account of the very great mildness of ' 
the season, and are, consequently, more susceptible of injury 
from frost, it is advisable to be prepared with the means of 
protection when more severe weather, wldcli we think is 
inevitable, sets in. The Auricula , alpine hi its character, and 
protected by snow in its native place, is impatient of con- > 
