1872. ] 
HOW TO MANAGE ALTERNANTHERAS. 
265 
NEW VARIETIES OF CLEMATIS VITICELLA. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
’HE immense and deserved popularity which the Clematis has obtained as a 
hardy flower, has resulted mainly from the success which has attended the 
crossing of C. lanuginosa with certain forms of C. Viticella , the species 
represented in the accompanying illustration by two novel varieties. It 
is from this species that the remarkably floriferous habit of such sorts as C. 
Jachnanni and C. rubella has been derived; and though the varieties we now figure 
fall short of these latter in gorgeousness of inflorescence, they bring us not only 
novelty of colouring, but the same profuseness of bloom as we have just referred 
to. We cannot do better than quote from the new Clematis work, by Messrs. 
Moore and Jackman, recently referred to in our pages, the descriptions given of 
these new introductions :— 
“C. Viticella rubra grandiflora (fig. 1).—This is one of the most beautiful of the 
Viticella forms, and gained a First-class Certificate when exhibited at South Kensington in 
July, 1868. The leaves are pinnately-divided, or sometimes biternate, the leaflets being 
sometimes entire and ovate, sometimes divided into three segments, which fully equal the 
simpler leaflets in size. The flowers, which are abundant and successional, measure about 
three inches across, and are composed of from four to six sepals of a rich bright claret-crim¬ 
son, with green stamens. This charming variety, which has much the habit of C. Viticella 
venosa, and like it is a most valuable acquisition—the profusion of blossoms and the distinct¬ 
ness of colour rendering it exceedingly effective—is the nearest approach to a crimson 
Clematis yet obtained. It was raised in the Woking Nursery. 
“ C. marmorata (fig. 2). —This pretty variety has the habit of C. Viticella venosa, and 
flowers both profusely and successively. The leaves are pinnatisect, the basal pinnae being 
ternate. The flower-buds are drooping, and the flowers nearly the size of those of venosa, 
composed of four remarkably broad sepalp, of a light mauve-colour, marked with a three- 
ribbed bar, the whole surface of the flowers being speckled with white, in such a manner as 
to give it a veiny or marbled appearance. It is a very distinct and desirable variety.” 
Both these varieties were raised by Messrs. G. Jackman and Son, of the Woking 
Nursery, to whom we are indebted for the opportunity of figuring them.—M. 
HOW TO MANAGE ALTERNANTHERAS. 
HE effectiveness of the designs in which Alternantheras form so important 
a feature in summer bedding, and the many communications received, 
describing the difficulties experienced in cultivating them, induce me to 
pen these instructions, which, I believe, if followed out, will remove any 
difficulty which may have been experienced in their management. 
First, then, choose only strong healthy cuttings , and depend upon them solely 
for producing a sufficient supply of plants in spring. The less colour and tendency 
to flower in stock plants the better; therefore, endeavour to banish it from them 
by inducing vigour of growth, and for that purpose discard all summer surplus 
stock plants, and keep up cutting renewals of the more tender and weakly grow¬ 
ing varieties, such as A. amcena, versicolor , and spathulata, once or twice during 
the interval between May and August, again discarding the parent plants as soon 
as their progeny are rooted. From A. paronychioides, and its sports or varia¬ 
tions, paronychioides major , magnifica , amabilis , and amabilis latifolia , strong 
3rd series.— v. N 
