822 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August 25 , 1888. 
GardeningNotes from Ireland. 
Stradbrooke Hall. 
This place is situated in one of the southern suburbs of 
the city of Dublin, being the residence of R. Pirn, 
Esq. Apart from the well-deserved name the place 
has obtained through the meritorious management of 
its exhibition plants, it is very neatly and well kept. 
On entering, two remarkable objects of tree growth 
strike the eye. These are a pendulous Elm and a 
purple Beech. They are planted on the lawn, and 
growing right and left of the avenue. They stand 
quite apart, and cover a large space, the Elm occupying 
a circumference of at least 150 ft., the drooping 
branches giving it a very fine appearance at the present 
time. 
The Vineries. 
There are a good many sorts of Grapes grown here. 
Some are of the well-known and reliable cropping 
kinds, such as the Black Hamburgh, Alicante, &c., 
while others, although not so much to be depended on, 
are grown for flavour, and perhaps for the feeling of not 
wishing to discard them when once established. 
Be that as it may, I found some good samples 
of that much-abused Grape, the Duke of Buccleuch. 
Xo doubt, speaking in a general way, this variety has 
not given satisfaction as a setting Grape, but it is hard 
to think so fine a fruit should be discarded for such a 
fault ; surely means ought to be found by grafting on 
other 1 ine stocks to try and eradicate such a tendencv. 
The bunches here, although somewhat irregular in 
shape, were of fair size, and the berries were very large ; 
they gave evidence of being extremely well-handled, 
and given good shapely well-set bunches, it ought to 
be one of our finest Grapes for the exhibition table. 
Madresfield Court is fairly good as to size of bunches 
and berries, and is not showing any indication of the 
cracking propensity that gives such trouble in some 
places. Alicante is good in bunch and fine in 
berry, and these two characteristics, which in general 
belong to it, has influenced growers largely in their 
preference for it, notwithstanding its deficiency in 
point of flavour. 
The Peach House. 
The whole front of this house is covered with two fine 
old trees, one of Noblesse and the other Prince of 
"iTales. The latter had some remarkably fine fruits 
still remaining on it. 
Plant Culture. 
It is not, however, altogether as a fruit-grower that 
Mr. Coughlan, the thoroughly able gardener here, is so 
well-known among horticulturists or those who admire 
well-grown garden products ; it is as a plant grower for 
exhibition that his abilities are chiefly recognised. 
His well-earned honours in this department show that 
he has succeeded in working himself, as an exhibitor, 
into the front rank of his fellow professionals, and 
judging from the preparations now in progress he means 
to keep himself there. Two classes of Pelargoniums 
are grown for exhibition— namely, fancy and show 
kinds. I saw the immense-sized plants undergoing the 
process of “drying off,” preparatory to being started 
again for next year's contests. In like manner 
Pot Roses, 
Although still showing some blooms, are receiving at 
the present time full exposure to the sun, in order to 
give a hard well-ripened constitution to the young 
wood. These are the lot that were awarded the first 
prize at the spring show of the Royal Horticultural 
Society of Ireland, and though not then at their best 
as to numbers of blooms, they were perfect in health 
and style of growth. 
Stove Plants. 
In- this department there is a variety of very useful 
plants grown, both for show purposes and house deco¬ 
ration. There is a small but choice collection of 
Caladiums and Crotons, the varied colours of which, 
in the absence of flowers just now, afford a very 
pleasing contrast to subjects carrying green foliage. 
There are fine plants of Clerodendron squamatum, 
Medinella magnifica, Alocasia m.acrorhiza variegata, 
Acalyphamusaica, Anthurium Andreanum ; and among 
Ferns there were fine plants of Neottopteris nidus (Bird’s 
E est), Adiantum polyphyllum (known here under its 
old synonym of Cardiochlaena), A. glaucophyllum, 
A. Farleyense, and other varieties of this much-admired 
and well-known genus of Ferns. These were all 
specimen plants, and have before now obtained the 
favourable notice of judges when forming part of a 
group. A few good Orchids are kept, as well as some 
small plants of kinds not often met with. Among the 
former I saw two fine plants of Dendrobium fimbriatum 
and D. nobilis. There is also a good plant of Ficus 
Parcellii, having very handsome ornamental foliage, 
and bearing a profusion of fruit. In a 
Cool House, 
"With a northern aspect, if I do not mistake, were a 
couple of good pot specimens of Lapageria rosea and 
L. alba, as also some rare good healthy plants of 
Ericas, such as one very seldom meets with in these 
times. Of course nearly all the plants in stove and 
greenhouse are grown to a certain extent with a view 
to exhibition purposes ; but this is not the sole reason, 
as independent of such a consideration Mr. Pirn is a 
gentleman whose horticultural tastes lead him to have 
things neatly and well done, and for seconding his 
desires in this direction I believe he has, in Mr. 
Coughlan, a very capable assistant. This is another of 
those places where the growth of large specimen plants 
cannot be indulged in, as all the plant structures will 
only permit of plants attaining a moderate size as to 
height, but what they lack in that respect is made up 
for in making them acquire a low, stout habit of growth. 
I think it will be admitted that successful cultiva¬ 
tion on these lines for private garden establishments is 
more desirable than the production of specimen plants 
that prove unwieldy and troublesome in their manage¬ 
ment, and very expensive when required to move them 
to an exhibition. 
Chrysanthemums. 
There is a very large collection of Chrysanthemums, 
all of which are looking remarkably stout and healthy 
at the present time. Besides cut blooms, groups in 
pots are usually shown from this place with success, 
and the appearance of the plants just now bids fair to 
score more honours next November. 
A Showy Pentstemon. 
Along a mixed border of herbaceous flowering plants 
there were planted out here, at regular intervals, some 
of the most attractive Pentstemons I have ever seen. 
The colour of the flowers is light pink, with the throat 
white, the whole appearance somewhat resembling the 
old Cobsea, but much finer in growth, and most profuse 
in flowering. I could not learn whether it was a seed¬ 
ling or otherwise ; at all events, it has no specific name 
attached to it. It makes a splendid border plant, and 
I have seen nothing this season in the way of herbaceous 
subjects to equal it. It simply eclipsed all other plants 
growing alongside of it. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Pears and Apples are a light crop generally, a few 
standard sorts only having been fairly productive, and 
the wall trees may be said to have a light crop indeed. 
On the whole, a visit to Stradbrooke Hall will well 
repay the time spent in doing so, especially if seen for 
the first time, which was the case with me. As your 
correspondent, I have to express my acknowledgment 
of the courteous manner in which I was shown round 
the place ; indeed, I am happy to say that the obser¬ 
vation applies to every establishment I have visited 
lately, for when once it was known that I represented 
The Gardening "World, the utmost readiness was 
displayed to facilitate my inspection.— TV. D. 
- -->X<-- 
HARDY PLANTS IN FLOWER. 
Delphinium grandiflorum. 
A very old species, but one that is in every way the 
equal of any of the modern improved varieties. The 
flowers are large, of a pleasing deep blue shade, in 
spreading racemes, each flower standing out in a distinct 
manner, and is not crowded like some of the hybrid 
varieties. The foliage has a very distinct appearance, 
the leaves being divided into very narrow lobes, some¬ 
what similar to the leaves of Paeonia tenuifolia, but 
a little more spreading than this latter plant. 
SlLENE SCHAFTA. 
One of the brightest objects on rockwork just now is 
some good patches of this Alpine Catchfly. It is a 
neat and dwarf species, seldom exceeding more than 
6 ins. in height. The flowers are produced in branched 
elongated cymes of a rose-pink colour, set off very 
effectively by the light green foliage. It succeeds best 
in light sandy soil, fully exposed to the sun; in such a 
position it will form large masses of foliage and flowers. 
Catananche ccerulea. 
Although one of the oldest garden plants, having been 
in cultivation in 1596, this still holds its place as a 
handsome border plant, and is well worthy of a place in 
every herbaceous collection. The flowers are useful for 
cutting, and having long stiff stalks, are a valuable 
aid for decorative purposss. The colour is a soft 
blue, which is a useful tint just now when the yellow 
composites are in the majority. C. c. bicolor is also a 
good plant, and is a pleasing associate for the former 
subject. IVe have one variety with a light straw shade 
in place of the dark centres of the typical bicolor. 
Both C. ccerulea and C. c. bicolor grow well from seed, 
and a good stock can be obtained from a packet of seed 
sown now. 
Butomus ujibellatus. 
This plant should be in every garden where hardy 
plants are appreciated, and where a wet bog-bed is 
possible. The flowers are produced upon a tall scape 
in an umbellate manner, lienee the specific name. The 
perianth leaves (segments) are pinkish and spreading, 
and the leaves long and slender, with that soft brittle 
character so common to plants of the order Alismaceie. 
The rush-like character of the leaves has probably 
given rise to the English name Flowering Rush, another 
instance of the misleading tendency of popular nomen¬ 
clature, the plant having no relationship with the true 
Rush (Juncus). Our plants are growing in about 6 ins. 
of water, in company with Alisma Plantago and 
Sagittaria sagittifolia—a trio of British aquatic plants 
worthy of culture in any garden. 
Gypsophila paniculata. 
This fairy-like plant is again the favourite pet of the 
herbaceous border. As a cut flower it is almost 
unequalled for the airy and graceful effect it gives 
either bouquets or dinner-table arrangements. Among 
gay-flowering herbaceous plants a well-flowered bush of 
this plant gives a light and refined tone to its sur¬ 
roundings, similar to that produced by using Maiden¬ 
hair Fern in an arrangement of brilliant hothouse 
flowers. G. paniculata is not difficult to cultivate, as 
young plants put into a border with plenty of good 
loam and a little chalk quickly make handsome 
specimens. A stock of plants may be obtained from 
seeds by putting the seedlings into small pots for a 
month or six weeks before planting out, so as to ensure 
good fibrous roots for a start.— J. IF. 0., Pinner. 
Dianthus cinnabarinus. 
In this rather new and uncommon species we have 
something reminding us very strongly of D. cruentus, 
a Russian species that is very much admired as a 
rockery plant when well grown on account of the 
brilliancy of the flowers, which are produced in a 
dense fascicle or head, and appears very distinct. The 
species under notice, which has been flowering for a 
long time at Pendell Court, Ble.tchingley, has the same 
fascicles of flowers borne on slender, erect stems, and 
the same dark green, narrow, linear leaves mostly 
confined to the basal portion of the latter. The flowers 
individually are small, but seen in the mass are pretty. 
The wedge-shaped petals are toothed at the apex, and 
of a cinnabar-red colour. 
CODONORSIS CLEMATIDEA. 
In some collections this pretty Bellflower may be more 
familiar under the name of Glossocomia clematidea, 
but under whatever name it may be employed it is 
certainly an interesting plant that ought to find a 
place in every collection. The flowers, which are of 
large size compared with the plant, are bell-shaped, 
and suspended singly from the apex of the shoots that 
vary greatly according to soil, climate, and other 
matters, attaining a height of 1 ft., 2 ft., or 3 ft. In 
the dwarf state it is a very pretty plant for the Alpine 
garden. The corolla is white with sky-blue veins, and 
two pale purple transverse bands internally. At the 
very base is a very attractive five-raved black star 
elged with deep orange. It may be seen iu the 
Pendell Court collection at Bletchingley. 
The Maiden Pink. 
"When seen in a mass, there can be no doubt that this 
native wilding is not only interesting because British, 
but is really pretty and most effective when grown on 
a rockery or other conspicuous position. The deep 
green leaves are small, and mostly confined to the 
surface of the ground, forming a dark green carpet, 
from which numerous ascending flowering stems arise. 
The typical form (Dianthus deltoides) has rose-coloured 
flowers, with a darker ring surrounding the opening of 
the corolla ; but there is a dark variety in cultivation, 
generally named D. d. splendens, while there is also a 
white-flowered variety with a rosy ring surrounding 
the eye. The dark variety is grown in quantity in the 
collection of herbaceous plants at Chiswick House, 
