October 15, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
101 
the beds are never empty all the year round, except 
when pulled to pieces in spring to be done up or re¬ 
modelled. Alternantheras, which are so conspicuous a 
feature in carpet-bedding designs in the south, are 
notable by their absence, as, indeed, they are from 
most of the gardens in Scotland. The centre of a 
round bed was occupied with Agave -Americana 
variegata, and this stood out prominently from a batch 
of Arabis albida variegata, bordered with a line of 
Ajuga reptans rubra, then another of Mesembryan- 
themum cordifolium variegatum. Patchwork of 
Antennaria dioica hyperborea and Thymus Serpyllum 
lanuginosus succeeded, bounded by lines 
of Arabis lucida variegata ; and three 
lines of Arabis lucida variegata, Anten¬ 
naria dioica hyperborea and Sedum lydium ; 
the latter being outermost, completed 
the picture. It will thus be seen that 
the only subjects requiring attention in 
winter were the American Aloe and the 
variegated Mesembryanthemum ; and if 
naked beds in winter are objectionable, 
we have in this design a means of avoiding 
it. Some very effective oblong figures 
were also occupied in a similar way, with 
subjects for the most part hardy and able 
to withstand the winter. Scroll-work of 
Antennaria dioica hyperborea and Ajuga 
reptans rubra occupied the centre of one 
bed, and patches of Sedum lydium 
occupied either end ; and the whole of 
these were outlined with the handsome 
golden Fern or Selaginella-leaved Matri¬ 
caria Parthenium selaginoides. Then 
came an outer groundwork of Thymus 
Serpyllum lanuginosus outlined by Coty¬ 
ledon secundum glaucum, the only plant 
in the bed unable to withstand the winter. 
Patches of Sedum lydium were inserted at 
intervals just within the boundary margin, 
which consisted of Matricaria Parthenium 
selaginoides. Besides the above enumer¬ 
ated plants, there are numerous others, 
such as the Sempervivums ; other species 
of Sedum, such as S. glaucum and S. 
rupestre; Saxifragas of the mossy and 
rosette - leaved kinds, Herniaria glabra, 
Mentha pulegium gibraltarica, Veronica 
incana, V. i. Candida, and others that 
might most profitably be employed for the 
purpose of carpet-bedding, without the 
aid of Coleus and Alternantheras, in the 
northern climate of Scotland. 
Herbaceous plants succeed admirably, 
and the collection is continually being in¬ 
creased by the perseverance of Mr. Whitton, 
who is very fond of this class of useful 
and inexpensive plants, their decorative 
value far exceeding what many people who 
appreciate in-door plants would imagine. 
Erodium Manescavii, Gentiana asclepiadea, 
Lychnis chalcedonica, Malva Morreni, 
Eryngium amethystinum, Campanula 
punrila alba, Telekia speciosa, Inula 
glandulosa, Hemerocallis Kwanso (a double 
variety of H. fulva), Crucianella stylosa, 
and Morina longifolia, give an idea of the 
kind and variety of subjects cultivated. 
Most ornamental in the autumn months 
are Fuchsia Riecartoni, Galtonia (Hya- 
cinthus) candicans, Achillea Ptarmica 
fl. pi., Helianthus decapetalus, Liatris 
spicata, Phloxes of the P. decussata and 
P. paniculata types, and Lobelia splendens 
Queen Victories. Although a weed in its 
native Corn-fields, Chrysanthemum segetum 
grandiflorum, in cultivation, furnishes a 
great quantity of useful golden yellow flowers. The 
spotted foliageof Pulmonaria saccharata—usually known 
as P. sibirica in gardens—is really handsome when it 
throws up vigorously after flowering. Here, as else¬ 
where, Gypsophila paniculata is in great repute for 
decorative work amongst other cut flowers, and Anemone 
japonica alba is a favourite everywhere in autumn. 
A collection of Alpines, or plants suitable for rock- 
work, is being got together, amongst which we noted 
Heuchera sanguinea, Silene maritima fl. pi., Saxifraga 
oppositifolia alba, Cardamine pratense fl. pi., and 
Cerastium alpinum. The hoary leaves and the pigmy 
character of Geranium cinereum are uncommon features 
in the genus, while the pink and striped flowers are, 
indeed, pretty. Polygonum affinis, better known as 
P. Brunonis, should be in every garden. A line of 
Anemone (Hepatica) triloba exhibited with what 
freedom this plant grows in the moister climate of 
Scotland. __ 
GOLDEN ACRE NURSERY, 
EDINBURGH. 
Formerly in the hands of the Lawson Seed Com¬ 
pany, this nursery is now carried on by Messrs. Ireland 
and Thomson, Edinburgh. It consists chiefly of a 
fine range of comparatively new glass houses, filled 
with Crotons Dracfenas, Ferns, and other stove stuff, 
Nepenthes cincta (See p. 105). 
together with Araucarias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, 
Begonias, Pelargoniums, and other occupants of the 
greenhouse. A new span-roofed house has just been 
completed and filled with Crotons, of which there is 
a very large collection of a convenient size for table 
decoration, and a collection of Orchids, amongst which 
we noted Odontoglossum Harryanum, Ltelia Schilleriana 
superba, and the beautiful Cypripedium Godefroyne. 
It remains to be stated that everything is kept in 
excellent order, and in perfect keeping with the fine 
range of houses. 
Amongst the Crotons, C. interruptum aureum was 
conspicuous by its narrow linear leaves, which are 
almost entirely of a golden yellow colour. It has been 
several years in commerce. C. Archibaldi has also fine 
yellow linear leaves, splashed with green. As is the 
experience of most cultivators, Anthurium splendidum, 
which exhibited an excellent growth, does best in a 
case, and refuses to grow satisfactorily when accorded 
similar treatment to the general occupants of the stove. 
Dieffenbachia Jenmani is a very distinct plant with its 
leaves conspicuously striped horizontally with white. 
The broad, silvery veins and lobed leaves of Alocasia 
Sanderi also constitute this plant an admirable subject 
for the decoration of the stove. Other useful Aroids 
are Anthurium Scherzerianum Wardi with broad 
channelled leaves and a large spathe, and the magnifi¬ 
cent Alocasia Thibautiana with its massive 
shield-like leaves, shining metallic lustre 
and characteristic silvery venation. A 
showy and distinct-looking Caladium, 
named C. Yerdii, has brilliant red foliage 
with a green margin. 
The collection of Dracaenas was both 
numerously represented with different 
varieties, and in excellent size and con¬ 
dition for decorative purposes. D. Nor- 
woodiensis is a variety of D. terminalis, 
with bronzy red and green leaves, striped 
with rose and cream in a very effective 
way. The terminal leaves of D. Alexandra 
were nearly all creamy white ; and D. 
pendula is a gracefully drooping form of 
D. terminalis. The bronzy red foliage of 
D. Frederici is most effectively margined 
with a rosy red colour ; while D. Leopoldi 
is wholly of a deep bronzy red. These 
colours, sufficiently varied in themselves 
to warrant the cultivation of the kinds 
mentioned, are further diversified by the 
length and breadth of the leaves of the 
respective kinds, and the three following 
are markedly distinct in this respect, so 
that the characters of each are vividly 
brought out by contrast. The leaves of 
D. superha are narrowly linear, bronzy 
green, margined with crimson ; those of 
Mrs. Robert Turner are elliptic, and bronzy 
purple with a broad red margin ; while 
those of D. fragrans Lindeni are now so 
well known in gardens that description is 
unnecessary. 
Other foliage plants are grown in great 
variety, some of which may also be classed 
as flowering subjects, such as Aphelandra 
fascinator, Begonia gogoensis, Sarracenia 
purpurea, with huge pitchers ; and Ophio- 
pogon Jaburan aureus variegatus. The 
slender and conspicuously white varie¬ 
gated leaves of Eulalia japonica variegata 
contrast strongly with such as Calathea 
Makoyana, and Ficus elastica variegata. 
Another form of the latter differs from it 
and the type in having deep bronzy leaves 
with a purple midrib and stem—characters 
retained by them till they become very 
old. A fine thing is Calathea vittata rosea 
picta, with rosy red instead of creamy 
white stripes ; and the same might be 
said of Tillandsia hieroglyphica, the leaves 
of which are densely covered with singular 
brown hieroglyphical markings. Chloro- 
pliytum elatum medio-pictum, known here 
as Anthericum latifolium medio-pictum, is 
a great improvement on the old variegated 
form, with broader leaves, having a broad 
medium creamy white centre. Flowering 
plants were represented by Impatiens 
episcopi, Amasonia calycina (A. punicea 
of gardens), Ixora salicifolia, with linear 
glaucous leaves and orange-scarlet flowers ; 
Reinwardtia tetragyna, quite distinct from 
R. trigyna, generally known as Linum ; and 
Rondeletia anomala, with terminal trusses of crimson 
flowers. Nepenthes Mastersiana and N. Yeitchii were 
in fine form, and good-sized pitchers were borne by 
N. Northiana. 
A good collection of Ferns of the popular decorative 
class were in a clean and healthy condition. Adiantum 
rhodophyllum and A. roseum have the young fronds of 
a beautiful rose colour. The bipinnatifid, light green 
fronds of Nephrolepis acuta Bausei are very graceful; 
and the tasselled leafage of Pteris tremula grandiceps 
characterise it as a useful subject for decorative purposes. 
P. tricolor, usually a difficult Fern to keep for any 
length of time in a satisfactory condition, had fine 
highly-coloured fronds. Cocos Weddelliana and 
