April 11, 1891, 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
511 
ARDENING MISCELLANY. 
Erica propendens. 
It is matter for regret that so few of the Heaths are 
cultivated at the present day, for there are many truly 
ornamental, small shrubs amongst them, including the 
subject under notice. The average height of the plant 
is 12 ins., and the branches are erect, while the flowers 
are pendulous. The latter are large in proportion to 
the size of the plant, of a beautiful soft purple, hut 
variable in different individuals, bell-shaped and borne 
in small clusters of one to three at the end of the small 
lateral twigs. Like most others it is a native ot the 
Cape, from whence it was introduced in 1800, and 
thrives under similar treatment. The calyx is small 
and scarlet, but owing to the pendent habit of the 
corolla, it is very prominently brought into notice, ana 
adds much to the beauty of the flower as a whole. We 
noted it in the flowering house of Messrs. J. Yeitch & 
Sons, Chelsea, in company with many other greenhouse 
subjects, to which it formed a striking contrast. 
Azalea obtusa. 
Under favourable conditions this plant attains a 
height of 2 ft., but young plants obtained by 
propagation will grow and flower for years before 
attaining this size. Specimens not exceeding a height 
of 6 ins. have been flowering for some time past in the 
nursery of Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, Chelsea. The 
flowers are of a deep red, produced singly at the end of 
the shoots, and notwithstanding their being smaller 
than those of A. indica, they are rendered conspicuous 
by the number developed from the small twiggy shoots. 
The leaves are oblong, obtuse, and small in keeping 
with the other parts of the plant. As in the case of 
the Indian Azalea, the foliage is evergreen, so that 
taking all things together, cultivators would find much 
in the diminutive species to admire. Notwithstanding 
the fact that the species was introduced from China as 
long ago as 1814, it has not become so widely dissemi¬ 
nated in gardens as its merits deserve. 
Xanthoceras sorbifolia. 
The plant under notice is a member of the Sapindaceie, 
to which belong the Horse Chestnut, the Maple, the 
Bladder Nut, and several others with which we are 
more or less familiar. It was introduced from China in 
1870, and proves quite hardy in the southern part of 
Britain at least. Blowers have frequently been pro¬ 
duced on the shrubby stems, but the production of fruit 
seems to require the protection of a wall. The plant 
is now, however, put to (as far as we know) a new and 
distinct use, namely, to be forced as a subject for 
decorating the greenhouse in early spring. To this 
mode of treatment it seems to conform readily, judging 
from the plants to be seen in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, at Chelsea, where it has been a con¬ 
spicuous object for some time past in the flowering 
house. The petals are white, with blood-red markings 
at the base, and the flowers are produced in good-sized 
bunches. The leaves are pinnate, with numerous 
serrated leaflets, and have been compared to those of 
Pyrus sorbus. They may, however, be with equal or 
more justice compared to those of Spirsea sorbifolia, 
and are equally ornamental. 
Primula Clusiana. 
The flowers of this species are amongst the largest of 
any of the European Primulas, being an inch in diameter 
or more. The corolla is of a warm, deep rose, but often 
showing pale forms, with deeply divided segments and 
oblong lobes. The ovate, dark green, leathery leaves 
form dense rosettes that are strongly suggestive of P. 
spectabilis, of which the habit is precisely the same. 
It is a native of the Tyrol, and commences flowering 
with us about the end of March or the beginning of 
April. Being an Alpine species it is best grown on a 
rockery, closely surrounded with pieces of porous stone 
in deep but well-drained soil. Plenty of depth is 
required in order to ensure a sufficiency of moisture for 
the roots during our dry summers; good drainage is 
more essential during the winter months when the 
plants are at rest. A large patch of plants, more or 
less in flower, may be seen on the rockery at Kew, 
showing some amount of variation in the colour of the 
flowers. It is a beautiful plant for pot work, and 
ought to be more extensively grown for the hardy plant 
house, where with the exercise of a little patience it 
might show itself not incapable of improvement. 
The Golden Valerian. 
After a winter of unusual severity and length, when 
also such great mischief has been wrought amongst all 
kinds of hardy plants, how very refreshing it is to find 
in gardens here and there clumps of the bright golden 
Valerian ! This is one of the genuine hardy things 
which no hard weather seems to injure, and only 
suffers when too long left uncared for. In that case 
the rhizome stems, which run rather on the surface of 
the soil than beneath, get attenuated for lack of the 
needful nutriment. Nothing is easier than to lift 
clumps occasionally, divide them, and re-plant in 
smaller pieces in fresh soil, thus giving to each piece a 
fair start. Very early in the spring the reward of this 
little trouble is found in numerous tufts of rich golden 
leafage, of which we have so early nothing to equal in 
effect, in yellow or any other colour.— B. 
Improved Form of Primula obconica. 
An attempt has been made by Mr. T. Bones, gardener 
to J. Donaldson, Esq., Tower House, Chiswick, to 
hybridise P. obconica with P. sinensis. Seedlings have 
been raised which are a great improvement upon the 
type, but it is difficult to discern what influence P. 
sinensis has had upon them. The flowers are much 
larger, pale blush-lilac or almost white, and the 
segments are so broad that they almost touch, thus 
getting rid of the starry appearance of the unimproved 
type. The calyx is also much larger and more 
flattened, as if it attested a hybrid origin. The leaves 
in some of the individuals are very broad and often in¬ 
clined to be pouched in places, owing to inequality of 
growth, while in others they are oblong, deeply toothed, 
undulated, and inclined to become lobed. The flower 
stems are stouter ; and in all respects the plants show a 
marked advance upon the type from a horticultural 
point of view. There are no doubt great capabilities 
in this plant, and considering the vast quantities of 
flowers it produces in the course of a year, cultivators 
would do well to continue their experiments in im¬ 
proving it. Not only is the plant serviceable at all 
times for the conservatory, but it is equally valuable 
for cut flowers. Amongst the plants at Tower House, 
we noted both pin-eyed and thrum-eyed forms in 
which the eye or throat was much wider than in the 
type, and of a deep golden yellow. 
Pentapterygium serpens. 
The few known species of this genus are distinguished 
from Yaccinium, to which they are closely allied, by 
the five wings of the calyx. The species under notice 
is a native of the Himalayas, from whence it was intro¬ 
duced in 1884 by Mr. H. J. Elwes. The corolla is 
long, tubular, five-angled, and dark red with crimson 
Y-shaped lines between the angles. These lines are not 
so prominent as in the case of P. rugosum, yet they are 
sufficiently marked to add to the beauty and interest 
of the flower. The stems are very long and arching, 
for which reason the plant is shown off to the best 
advantage by being grown in a basket. The specific 
name refers to the serpentine appearance of the branches, 
for they are closely clothed with small, ovate, dark 
green, leathery leaves, comparable to those of a Myrtle, 
and which have the effect of adding to the appearance 
of the long shoots. Not the least remarkable feature 
of this species is the large, woody, and tuber-like root- 
stock, from whence the gracefully arching branches are 
given olf. It may be seen in the Heath-house at Kew, 
where it is now flowering. 
The Hawfinch. 
In reply to your correspondent, “T.” (p. 479), I may 
state that the Hawfinch was for a long time considered 
only as a winter visitant to the British Islands 
until Mr. Henry Doubleday discovered that it 
was a permanent resident, and he was of opinion 
that the shyness of the bird must be held accountable 
for the scantiness of our knowledge concerning it. 
He made his observations on some birds which had 
taken up their residence in the neighbourhood of 
Epping Forest ; their food consisted of the seeds 
of the Hornbeam, Haws, Plum stones, the fruits 
of the Cherry Laurel, and green peas when they could 
manage to steal them from the neighbouring gardens. 
They build in Hawthorn bushes, Oaks, Hornbeams, 
Hollies, and other trees. During the breeding season 
they live in pairs, but in winter assemble in flocks, so 
that their presence becomes more noticeable. They 
have been chiefly found in the south, but cases have 
occurred of their being noticed as far north as Dumfries. 
They have also been noticed in Ireland. On the 
continent, but particularly in the south, they are 
more frequent. The darker-coloured bird your corre¬ 
spondent mentions is no doubt a male ; the hen-bird 
is always paler, the colours more blended, and the 
black markings are smaller. In a specimen obtained 
from the continent, the black blotch on the throat was 
absent ; so that the light-coloured bird may be an 
albino of the female, or tending that way. It is 
annually exhibited as a cage bird at the Crystal Palace 
show.— Airs. 
Calathea Makoyana. 
The leaves of this species are so elegantly marked as to 
render it one of the most ornamental of the genus. They 
are ovate-oblong, 3 ins. to 4 ins. in width, and propor¬ 
tionately long. The margin and several large blotches 
on each side of the midrib are of a rich dark green, while 
the rest is beautifully lined transversely with slender 
lines of silvery grey and light green alternately. The 
under surface, on the contrary, is of a rich dark purple in 
places opposite to the blotches that are green above. 
The species is a native of tropical America, and requires 
stove temperature. It has another name in C. olivaris. 
We noted a fine piece in the stove at Tower House, 
Chiswick. 
Papaver orientale. 
Very fine and effective in early spring is the new 
foliage of this grand old Poppy. There are many 
plants which are attractive only because of their flowers. 
This noble Poppy, however, begins to break up new 
leafage in the autumn, and very fine tufts are formed 
which are most useful all the winter in helping to keep 
borders clothed if not gay. Specially now is the younger 
foliage pleasing, the leaves being elegantly cut—indeed, 
might well form foliage models for the painter, the 
sculptor, or the architect. When presently the plants 
are in bloom it may be doubted whether at any time of 
the year our gardens give us, amongst really hardy 
plants—and this Poppy is hardiest of the hardy—any 
nobler or more attractive plant. We can have it in 
plenty if desired from seed. It blooms the second year, 
and henceforth for literally a generation. Some of the 
plants produce blooms that are of wonderful dimen¬ 
sions.— B. 
Epiphyllum Russellianum Gsertneri. 
The flowers of this plant are so different in form that 
one would almost doubt the propriety of calling it an 
Epiphyllum. The numerous segments are lanceolate, 
at least the longer ones, and instead of being erect so 
as to make the flower tubular, they are widely spreading, 
in the manner of a Cereus. The stems, however, in 
their form and mode of branching, are those of an 
Epiphyllum, the joints being short, oblong and flattened. 
They are terminated, however, by tufts of long, 
pale brown hairs, which give them a peculiar and some¬ 
what shaggy appearance. The variety originated about 
1885, but although its general appearance suggests a 
hybrid parentage, yet it remains unknown as to what 
was its real origin. For garden purposes its numerous 
scarlet flowers render it an ornamental subject for 
associating with the varieties of Epiphyllum now in 
cultivation, and may be had in flower at various times 
of the year according to treatment. A floriferous piece 
of it has been in bloom for some time past at Tower 
House, Chiswick. 
Narcissus rnaximus. 
Will somebody who knows tell me how to grow Nar¬ 
cissus rnaximus to perfection ? I think it is far and 
away the grandest of all the trumpet section, the 
blooms having a depth and purity of colour, and a 
majesty of form possessed by no other variety. But 
like the highly-bred noble, it is often delicate in growth 
and weakly in habit, disappointing its admirers at 
times. What sort of soil suits it best, when is the best 
time to plant it, and what sort of manure (if any) is 
best calculated to help it along ? If I were reduced 
to half a dozen Daffodils, N. rnaximus would be- first, 
Sir Watkin second, Horsfieldii third, tortuosus fourth, 
Sulphur Crown fifth, and the old double Daffodil the 
sixth. I am not speaking of the poeticus or the 
cyclamineus section—lovely in their way—but of the 
large-flowered Daffodils.— A, H. 
Asplenium hemionitis cristatum. 
The normal form of this Fern is an ornamental subject, 
but seldom grown, although from its distinctness it is 
more deserving than many that meet with much favour. 
The type has hastate, three-lobed, or slightly five-lobed 
