28 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 13, 1890. 
Pea, Triumph, 
This is the next best, but a white wrinkled marrow, 
consequently the haulm and foliage is not so deep a 
green as in the Queen. The pods are straight usually, 
but sometimes have a tendency to curve, and are more 
or less about 4 ins. long, and average when matured 
eight peas in thin slats, thickly set in pairs up the 
stems. It is certainly a good flavoured and fine 
cropping variety. It is said to be an improved Prince 
of Wales, but is more like an improved or select stock 
of the good old Yeitch’s Perfection.— B. L. 
The Chinese Kidney-bean Tree. 
The finest effect is produced by old specimens of Wistaria 
ehinensis in May and June, when the first opened 
flowers precede the leaves for a few days. If the 
weather he fine, the foliage, soon, however,. makes 
headway, and the combined effect of flowers and foliage 
then becomes gorgeous. On first opening, the flowers 
are of a dark lilac-blue, but a few days of sunshine 
soon change them to a pale shade. The long racemes 
of bloom on the front of a house make this plant one 
of the grandest of climbers in the spring. Very fre¬ 
quently, however, a second though smaller crop of 
bloom is produced in August when the season is 
favourable. This is most likely to happen on old 
plants, which in many instances looked fine in the 
August of 1887, and again last August, the cool 
weather causing the flowers to prolong their beauty 
into the present month. When planting this gigantic 
climber, cultivators should select a place where it may 
be allowed to ramble indefinitely, as the stems ulti¬ 
mately attain a length of hundreds of feet. 
Clematis Stanleyi. 
A batch of plants, varying from 12 ins. to 18 ins. in 
height, forming a bed in the open air at Kew, have 
now commenced flowering, and a fine thing the plant 
is evidently going to be. The flowers are of a pale 
pink, almost white, with four broadly ovate or oval 
sepals somewhat similar to those of C. montana, but of 
greater substance, and somewhat incurved, making the 
flower saucer-shaped. The stamens are yellow, ana 
very numerous. They are produced singly in the axils 
of the leaves, which are of a greyish green and pinnate 
with wedge-shaped, deeply divided leaflets. In this 
respect therefore the leaves differ widely from those of 
C. montana, and more resemble those of C. oethusoefolia, 
but the habit of the plant seems different. At present 
it is erect, and from the fact of its flowering in the 
present early stage, it would seem to be an erect and 
shrubby species. Should it prove "hardy, it will be an 
acquisition to the outdoor garden. 
Melon, Ely’s Favourite. 
The fruit of this variety is of good average size, oblong, 
and when mature greenish yellow, copiously reticulated, 
with raised grey lines. The flesh is of a deep green, 
of great thickness relatively to the size of the fruit, 
juicy, melting and sweet. It was shown at the Drill 
Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last by Mr. Ely, Joyce 
Grove, Henley-on-Thames. 
Lysimachia ephemerum. 
The flowers of this species are white, with a dusky 
pinkish centre, and produced in racemes 6 ins. to 8 ins. 
long, terminating stems that rise to a height of 2 ft. or 
3 ft. There are several species with white flowers ; 
but the general appearance of this plant is very distinct 
from other white kinds in cultivation. The Japanese 
L. clethroides has dense, heavy racemes, that droop at 
their tips, while the plant is more dwarf, with larger, 
differently shaped, and differently coloured leaves. L. 
barystachys, on the other hand, has short, dense spikes 
of small white flowers, and rather small lanceolate 
leaves. Those of L. ephemerum are linear-lanceolate, 
dark glaucous green, smooth, and 4 ins. to 6 ins. in 
length. The plant is a native of South-western 
Europe, and presents uo difficulty in its cultivation, 
provided the soil in which it is planted retains a fair 
amount of moisture during the summer months. The 
Lysimachias are all moisture-loving plants, although 
not, strictly speaking, bog plants. 
Gloriosa superba. 
The changeable nature of the flowers of this fine old 
Lilywort is very striking, especially when there are 
several flowers open at one time. The segments of the 
flowers stand erect, while the other parts are turned 
downwards ; or, in other words, it may be stated that 
the flowers hang face downwards, but the segments are 
sharply reflexed, which brings them into an upright 
position. The latter are strongly undulate and 
crisped, appearing at a short distance to be spirally 
twisted. The lower half of each is yellow when the 
flower first expands, and the upper half is scarlet or 
fiery red. After a time the lower halves "of the seg¬ 
ments change to a deep orange, so that a few flowers on 
a plant have a very striking effect. The plant is a 
native of Tropical Asia and Africa, and was first intro¬ 
duced to this country exactly 200 years ago. It has 
been flowering in the nursery of Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill, for some time past. 
Begonia Martiana grandiflora. 
This differs from the original in having much larger 
flowers. It is not surprising to find variability in this 
Begonia, seeing that it is itself but a form of B. gracilis, 
of which there are several in cultivation under different 
specific names. B. Martiana is the most ornamental 
on account of the rich yet delicate rose colour of its 
flowers. The leaves are half heart-shaped, smooth, 
and deep green. A peculiarity of B. gracilis, and its 
forms B. g. Martiana and B. g. diversifolia, is that the 
leaves bear a cluster of bulbils in their axils, from 
which the plant may be propagated in any quantity. 
They require to be grown in peaty soil. The stems of 
B. M. grandiflora are about 2 ft. high, and bear the 
flowers along great part of their length in clusters of 
two and three. The sepals are toothed at their edges, 
and show off the orange stigmas of the female flowers 
to advantage. We noted it in the nursery of Messrs. 
J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill. 
Wallich’s Cranes Bill. 
The procumbent and spreading habit of Geranium 
Wallichianum renders it well adapted for cultivation 
on large rockeries, where it may be planted so as to 
overhang large projecting ledges. The leaves are five- 
lobed, marked with silvery grey but not very pro¬ 
nounced spots, and occasionally stained with bronzy 
brown patches towards the maigins. As the stems 
continue to elongate during several months of the year, 
fresh flowers continue to be produced somewhat after 
the manner of G. Endresii ; but they are larger and of 
a different colour. Plants raised from seeds brought 
from their native habitats vary considerably in colour, 
some being of a deep blue, others with a nearly white 
centre, and a third variety would have lilac-purple 
flowers tipped with blue in the young state, and deep 
purple externally, especially at the base. Deeper 
purple veins traverse the whole length of the petals, 
even when the basal half is otherwise white. By seed 
raising it is possible to obtain a pure white variety as 
in the case of G. pratense, which varies in a similar 
manner. 
Helianthus strumosus. 
The specific name of this North American Sunflower 
means Carrot-rooted, and refers to the somewhat fleshy 
underground and persistent rootstock of the plant. 
The stems may be considered as moderately dwarf seeing 
that their usual height is from 3 ft. to 4 ft., and are 
well furnished with narrow, dark green leaves. Flower 
heads of good average size, and a bright yellow colour, are 
freely produced at the top of the stems, so that a good- 
sized plant produces quite agay appearance during August 
and September. The rays of the head are numerous, 
and the disc blackish. In a cut state the flowers bear 
some resemblance to those of H. rigidus, but are smaller. 
The latter is, however, a much dwarfer and earlier 
flowering species, which H. strumosus may be said to 
succeed amongst the perennial kinds. It is well 
worthy of a place in collections, and those who object 
to the great height of the tall and late-flowering kinds 
might do worse than give this one a trial. At present 
it is seldom seen in gardens, although introduced in 
1710. 
Lobelia Tupa. 
Although this is generally considered to be but half 
hardy, it out-lives many of our winters in the open air, 
and with a slight protection, such as that afforded by 
coco-nut fibre or coal-ashes laid over the ground after 
the stems are cut down, will preserve the roots from 
injury in most winters. Like most other kinds, it is a 
true perennial, and when left undisturbed for a number 
of years it forms a large bush, annually throwing up a 
great number of stems that attain a yard or more in 
height, and which bear long terminal racemes of 
tubular reddish scarlet blooms. The flowers are in 
perfection during the months of August and September, 
or, indeed, till frost puts an end to growth. Under 
favourable conditions the stems will run up 6 ft. or 8 ft., 
and then have a grand and military appearance. Even 
at a height of 3 ft. or 4 ft. it makes a grand object for 
an herbaceous border, and should more often be seen in 
collections than it is. A native of Chili, it was 
originally introduced to this country in 1824, and 
might with propriety have been more widely distributed. 
Rudbeckia purpurea. 
Amongst the numerous Composites which flower in 
August and September, one is pleased to get away from 
the great sameness of a large number of the yellow 
kinds. That under notice is a very old fashioned 
garden plant, having been introduced from the United 
States in 1799. It also forms a second plate in the 
first volume of the Botanical Magazine, published by 
Curtis, more than 100 years ago. The plant generally 
grows about a yard in height, producing long purple- 
rayed flower heads about 3 ins. or 4 ins. across. The 
apparent width of the head is somewhat detracted from, 
owing to the way in which the florets become reflexed 
after they are fully expanded. The variety R. p. 
intermedia has more spreading rays. The plant is of 
slow increase, and on that account seems to have been 
restricted in its distribution in this country, notwith¬ 
standing its long sojourn with us. The apathy of 
cultivators generally must also be taken into account 
when speaking of this as well as of many other fine 
herbaceous plants, which ought to be in every well 
regulated and ordered collection. 
Gesnera chromatella. 
The flowers of this garden variety are borne in a 
terminal raceme, and droop somewhat after the same 
style as the Foxglove. The tubular part of the flower 
is of a soft yellow, but the lamina is pure white, with 
a yellow blotch in the throat. The leaves are heart- 
shaped, crenate, and of a dark velvety green, so that 
the variety is ornamental whether in flower or not, 
provided the foliage is still in prime condition. The 
rootstock is tuberous, and requires similar treatment to 
other kinds in cultivation, or such as is given to 
Achimenes. We noted it flowering in the nursery of 
Messrs. J. Laing k Sons, Forest Hill. 
Abelia rupestris. 
For low walls this beautiful plant is highly suitable, 
whether in flower or not, on account of the dark green 
colour of its smooth and Myrtle-like leaves. The 
flowers are tubular, and spreading at the mouth, pure 
white or slightly pinkish, and sweet scented. They are 
produced in great abundance during the months of 
August and September in the open air, from the axils 
of the upper leaves and the apex of the branches. 
They vary in number from three to five in a cluster, 
and after they drop, the reddish calyx. adds somewhat 
to the beauty of the bush. The sepals vary in number 
from three to five, and when fewer than the higher 
figure, it is generally the case that a number of them 
are united in pairs. The species was introduced from 
China in 1844. 
—-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
,T, 
Royal Horticultural.— September 9th. 
Exhibits were less numerous at the meeting on 
Tuesday last, than on several previous occasions ; but 
this is no unusual occurrence in the month of September. 
The largest exhibits consisted of Gladioli, Dahlias, 
hardy ornamental trees and shrubs, and Apples. 
Orchids were not numerous, but very interesting as 
representing some of the finer kinds now in season. 
A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., M.P. (gardener, Mr. W. White), 
Burford Lodge, Dorking, for a pan of Habenaria 
militaris, containing six or seven plants. The large 
three-lobed lip is of a bright scarlet, and a number of 
spikes of this colour made the specific name well 
deserved. He also showed Cypripedium glanduliferum, 
Miltonia Clowesii, Cattleya gigas, C. Gaskelliana, and 
a fine piece of Miltonia Candida superba. A Cultural 
Commendation was awarded for the last. Thomas 
Statter, Esq. (gardener, Mr. R. Johnson), Stand Hall, 
Whitefield, Manchester, exhibited Lcelia elegans Stat- 
teriana, L. e. Turned, Stand Hall var., and a fine 
piece of Dendrobium album with five long flowering 
stems, for the latter of which a Cultural Commendation 
