810 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 22. 1891. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
Gentiana asclepiadea. — The Swallow-wort Gentian 
was originally introduced in 1629, from the Southern 
and Eastern parts of Europe, and it is just possible 
and even probable that it has been in some garden or 
other in Britian since that time. When once estab¬ 
lished in the herbaceous border, it is a long lived 
plant and seldom requires renewing, probably not 
once in a lifetime, if the soil is fairly well drained 
and otherwise suitable. Peaty soil in a somewhat 
shady position but not overhung by trees, seems to 
suit it best for it will then attain a height of 3 ft. 
More usually however it may be seen 12 ins. to 18 ins. 
high. It bears numerous deep-blue flowers from 
the axils of the leaves all along the upper part of 
the stem during July and August, or even later in 
northern districts. 
Echinops Ritro.— This species of Globe Thistle 
is one of the best for ordinary border-work. The 
stems vary from 1 ft. to 3 ft. in height, which may be 
considered moderate, when compared with E. 
sphcerocephalus which more often attains a height 
of 4 ft. or 5 ft in good soil. The latter is more service¬ 
able for planting in clumps in public parks or in the 
wild gardens or pleasure grounds. The heads of the 
species under notice are of a deep-blue, comparable to 
the hues seen in some of the forms of Eryngium. 
The plant is readily propagated by division in spring, 
or in autumn after the stems and foliage commence 
to ripen, or even earlier, provided the weather is 
damp. 
Helianthus argophyllus. —The specific name 
of this annual Sunflower refers to the silky coating 
of hairs which thickly clothe the foliage when in its 
best condition. The species is closely allied to the 
common Sunflower (H. annuus) the wild and single 
state of which it closely resembles, both in the form 
of the leaves and the flower head. This idea appears 
more probable from the fact that seedlings of one 
sowing often contain amongst them individuals 
having almost smooth leaves, as if degenerating to 
H. annuus. The best forms of the silky leaved 
seedlings are, however, both curious and ornamental 
We noted these differences in the Trial Grounds of 
Messrs. Veitch & Sons, at Chiswick. 
Lilium longiflorum formosanum. —Judging 
from the varietal name of this Lily we should 
consider that it had been brought-from Formosa, an 
island lying off the coast of China. It differs from 
the typical white-flowered form in the external 
surface of the three outer segments, and the midribs 
of the three inner ones being of a. deep, but dull, 
bronzy-purple. It appears of good constitution, and 
stems about 18 ins. high, bear from one to four 
flowers each. It is scarcely so choice as the type of 
L. C. Harrisi, but strikingly distinct by contrast. 
Cyananthus lobatus. —The flowers of this 
Himalayan plant are very choice in their way during 
the months of July and August. Numerous barren 
shoots spread on the ground forming a cushion, from 
which arise leafy shoots, varying from 3 ins. to 12 ins. 
in height, bearing each a showy blue flower of 
appreciable size bearded in the throat. It likes a 
peaty soil in a shady position, and may be propaga¬ 
ted from cuttings, now or earlier. The rockery is 
the best place for it. 
Eryngium Oliverianum.— Next to E. alpinum 
this is one of the showiest and most useful species 
for a choice collection. The leaves are three parted, 
or the lower ones heart-shaped and merely toothed. 
The stems grow from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, bearing large 
heads of deep-blue flowers; and the upper part of 
the stems as well as the large, spiny bracts are of a 
beautiful dark-steel-blue. The plant thrives in 
ordinary, fairly retentive and moderately good garden 
soil, and may be propagated by seeds or division of 
the rootstock in spring or autumn. 
Aster pyrenaicus. —Few of the perennial Asters 
are less weedy than the Pyrenean species. Its usual 
height is 12 ins. to 18 ins., and a cluster of large lilac 
or purplish flowers are borne at the top during 
August. Increase is very slow as the plant forms a 
compact tuft, never throwing out stolons or under¬ 
ground stems, as in a large number of the American 
species. This as well as Rudbeckia speciosa may be 
seen in the collection of hardy perennials in the 
Jioya] Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chis\yick 
Rudbeckia speciosa. —The long orange-yellow 
rays and the black disc of this species will always 
render it a favourite with hardy plant cultivators. 
Liberal treatment will always repay any trouble 
taken with it in the larger flowers and greater num¬ 
ber of them. No composite is more suitable for the 
borders of large beds during the months of July and 
August. Division of the creeping stems in autumn 
during moist weather, and again in spring will 
furnish any quantity of stock. It is best known 
under the name of R. Newmani. 
CHISWICK TRIALS. 
The Foral Committee met at Chiswick on August 
5th, and examined the collections of Carnations, 
Violas, Pansies, Fuchsias, &c., growing in the 
gardens, when the following awards were made :—- 
Three Marks. 
Carnations. — White Queen (Fisher, Son, & 
Sibray) white self. Snowdrift (Fisher, Son, & Sibray) 
white self. Edith (Fisher, Son, & Sibray) pale pink, 
spotted scarlet. Penelope (Hooper) white self. 
Dante (Hooper) rose flaked. Maggie Laurie (Dick¬ 
sons & Co.) delicate blush self. Guiding Star 
(Ware) scarlet self. Rowena (Dean) bright scarlet. 
The Moor (Dean) dark crimson. Mrs. Reynolds 
Hole (Veitch) terra cotta. Alice Ayres (Veitch) 
white, rose edge. Achilles (Novelty Seed Company) 
deep red streaked. Hoffgartner Schaffner (Benary) 
scarlet striped. Albrecht Duesser (Benary) deep 
rose, crimson flake. Madame Van Houtte (Benary) 
yellow ground. Professor Virchow (Benary) rose 
flaked. Dan Godfrey (Turner) scarlet flake. Agnes 
Chambers (Turner) yellow ground, lilac edge. No. 
97 (Douglas) yellow, faintly striped. No. 62 (Paul 
& Son) crimson flaked. Grandiflora (Veitch) deep 
rose. 
Picotees. —Margaret Rueder (Benary). Redbraes 
(Benary). Romeo (Paul & Son). Mr. Rudd 
(Turner). Favourite (Turner). Mary (Turner). 
Two Marks. 
Carnations. — Rosy Morn (Douglas) pink. J. R. 
Allinson (Ware) rose self. Feureball (Benary) deep 
scarlet self. Horace (Dau) scarlet self. Beatrix 
(Fisher, Son, & Sibray) buff self. Terra Cotta 
(Turner) streaked. Van Dyck (Benary) slate and 
crimson flaked. 
Three Marks. 
Godetia Duchess of Fife (Daniels Bros.) blush 
with large carmine blotches. Chrysanthemum 
(annual) Sibthorpi (Dean) bright yellow, very free 
flowering. Chrysanthemum (annual) multicaule 
aureum (Dean) yellow, dwarf. Viola The Mearns 
(Dobbie & Co.) lower petals dark purple, top pale 
lilac. Viola Croft House (Dobbie & Co.) white, fine 
habit. Pansies for strain (Dobbie & Co.) Pansies 
for strain (Hooper). 
> - Two Marks. 
Viola virginalis (Dobbie & Co.).—Large pure 
white. 
Three Marks. 
Sweet Peas. —Mrs. Sankey (Eckford). — Pure 
white, fine. Mrs. Gladstone. — Delicate pink 
standards, wings blush, edged with pink. Captain 
of the Blues.—Standards bright purple blue, wings 
pale blue. Princess of Wales.—Shaded and striped 
mauve, on white ground. Isa Eckford. — Creamy 
white, suffused with rosy pink. Senator.—Shaded 
and striped chocolate on creamy ground, fine: 
Countess of Radnor.—Pale mauve standards, wings 
pale lilac. Monarch.—Bronzy crimson standards, 
rich deep blue wings, fine. Fuchsias.— Single white 
corolla, Flocon de Neige (Cannell). Double White. 
—Berlines Kind, Gustave Dore (Cannell). Single 
Red.—First of the Day, Adolphe Legour (Cannell). 
Salmon. — Earl of Beaconsfield, Aurora superba 
(Cannell). Fancy. — President Grevy (Lemoine), 
Pentstemon La Foudre (Lemoine) fine scarlet. 
The Fruit and Vegetable Committee met on the 
same date, and inspected the collections of Runner 
and Dwarf French Beans, &c., growing in the 
gardens, and made the following awards :— 
Three Marks. 
Dwarf French Beans. — - Mohawk, Smyth’s 
Speckled Elybrid, Fulmer’s Forcing, Sion House, 
Ne Plus Ultra, Dark Dun, Ne Plus Ultra (Veitch). 
Ne Plus Ultra (Harrison). Wax Mont d’Or, yellow- 
podded Butter Bean, found to be of excellent quality 
(Vilntorin), 
Pea. — Sequel (Laxton), dwarf, deep green Marrow. 
SCOTTISH NOTES. 
Arboriculturists at Drumlaxrig.— When the 
members of the Scottish Arboricultural Society 
recently visited Drumlanrig, the fine avenue of noble 
Limes, one of the finest in the country, growing in 
front of the castle, received considerable attention, 
and the members were struck by their fine majestic 
appearance. Some splendid specimens of park trees 
were also inspected by the company; and a vener¬ 
able Oak was measured at the base and found to be 
18 ft. 2 ins. in circumference. A Beech, which 
presented peculiar features in its fine foliage and 
spreading branches—the tips of which came in 
contact with the ground, forming a complete enclo¬ 
sure—interested the members. The area covered in 
this way was about 200 feet. A Douglas Fir, planted 
about forty jrnars ago, and one of the first introduced 
into this country, having been presented by Mr. 
Douglas, from whom the name of this now well- 
known timber tree is derived, is 80 feet high and 
measured 9 ft. 8 ins. in girth. A very fine old 
Sycamore received much attention. The dendro- 
meter, invented by Mr. Kay, of Rothesay, was applied 
to it, and the height was found to be gi feet, the 
girth at the base 17 ft. 1 in., with a spread.of branches 
59 feet. Another Lime tree growing near the castle, 
a beautiful park tree, was tested, the measurement 
being 14 ft. 7 ins. at the base. One of the finest 
Hornbeams in Scotland was pointed out, on the 
unusually large girth of v'hich comments were largely 
made. The girth was found to be 8 ft. 2 ins. After 
the inspection of the woods and forests, the beauti¬ 
ful gardens and vineries were gene over. A number 
of local incidents of historical interest were detailed 
by Mr. David Thomson. A Roman camp was 
pointed out, known by the name of Enoch Castle, 
originally a strongly fortified position. It was taken 
by Wallis in 1297. The district is well known as 
being that where the Cameronians first signed the 
Solemn League and Covenant. It was stated that 
during the great storm of 1883 no less than 300,000 
trees were laid low, and notwithstanding this 
immense thinning the still finely-wooded estate was 
much remarked on, the excellent forestry methods 
that are applied practically showing the immense 
timber production that might be available were many 
parts of the county similarly treated. 
Keith Flower Show.— The annual show of the 
Keith, N.B., Hortus Club was held on Tuesday, nth 
inst. The show was quite up to the average, and, 
considering the rainy nature of the season and the 
want of sunshine, was better than could have been 
expected. Pot plants were an admirable display, the 
amateurs following hard on their professional 
brethren, and in some cases entering their ranks and 
carrying off the honours. The display of Begonias 
in particular was very meritorious. A special feature 
of the show was the section for window-grown plants 
by amateurs, the Fuchsias, Ferns, and Hydrangeas 
beingparticularly noticeable. Cut flowers, considering 
the nature of the weather, were a good show all 
over, but there was a certain want of freshness in 
the character of the bloom obtainable. Fruit, on 
the whole, was a good show, and showed in some 
instances judicious cultivation. Vegetables were a 
good show, but indications were given that Potatos 
were nearing, if they have not already reached, the 
stage of disease. 
Fyvie Flower Show. —The annual flower show 
of the Fyvie Horticultural Association was held on 
Tuesday, nth inst., at Lewes of Fyvie. The 
number of exhibits forwarded was about the same as 
in former years, but the quality, notwithstanding the 
backwardness of the season, was even better than 
could have been looked for. The competition 
throughout was very keen, amateurs vieing with 
professionals in numerous classes. The display of 
pot plants by the gardeners of Hatton Castle, 
Rothienorman, Rothiebrisbane, etc., was really 
grand, while those of Mr. James Allan, Templon, 
were also exceedingly creditable. The honours in 
the professional classes were pretty evenly divided 
amongst the various competitors, the specimens of 
Violas, Pelargoniums, and Begonias, being an exceed¬ 
ingly fine lot. Of cut flowers, the herbaceous plants, 
Antirrhinums, Phloxes, and Roses were most 
beautiful, while the bouquets and wreaths were 
tastefully got up. Fruit and vegetables were a goq 4 
§how. 
