June i, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
C31 
ing. They are very seldom seen, however, in this 
country for the above-mentioned reasons. 
New Cucumbers. 
What is a new Cucumber, and who is to determine its 
novelty 1 I am induced to ask this question, inasmuch 
as I was much struck with some fruits staged as a new 
variety at the Crystal Palace and Royal Botanic 
Society’s late meetings. The fruits I saw were, in my 
mind, to all intents and purposes identical in shape, 
colour, and peculiarity of handle with Monro’s Duke of 
Edinburgh, a variety that has been before the public 
for some years. Whilst no one would welcome more 
than myself a real improvement, it appears to be 
a pity that cultivators, sometimes from want of know¬ 
ledge, are disposed to exhibit so-called new varieties, 
and if the authorities of the show in which the exhibit 
takes place have not the courage to point out its 
identity whilst no recognition is given to it as a new 
variety, the exhibitor assuredly labours under what he 
considers to be a grievance. It seems to me desirable 
that any article of the kind staged as new should be 
very thoroughly examined by competent judges, and 
the opinion of that authority should be distinctly 
expressed upon the exhibit for the future guidance and 
benefit of others, whereas if no remark is made, the 
exhibitor is apt to feel that he has been passed over 
and not properly treated.— S. H. C. 
The Broad-leaved Holly. 
There are two species to which the above designation 
may with some propriety be given, but the plant or 
tree intended in this instance is Ilex latifolia, a native 
of Japan, where it grows to the height of 20 ft. It was 
first introduced from thence to the Continent, and 
about the year 1840 or 1841 was brought to this 
country, where, however, even yet we seldom find it in 
collections. Occasionally it may be seen on walls, 
because it is evidently regarded as tender. The great 
size of its leaves, which grow from 8 ins. to 10 ins. in 
length, renders them liable to be destroyed during 
stormy weather, and more especially if they are sub¬ 
jected to gales of wind while in a frozen state ; and to 
this may be attributed the tenderness of the tree rather 
than anything else. In general appearance they 
resemble those of the common Cherry Laurel (Prunus 
Laurocerasus), but are much larger, hence the applica¬ 
tion of the garden name of Ilex laurifolia sometimes 
given. A tree of 14 ft. in height is now carrying some 
clusters of its small red berries on the lawn near the house 
at Rook’s Nest, Godstone, Surrey, where it receives 
no other protection than that of the surrounding trees. 
Platytheea gallioid.es. 
As far as the flowers are concerned, this is the finest 
species of the plants grown in gardens under the names 
of Tetratheca and Tremandra. It is generally known 
under the title of Tremandra vertieillata, the specific 
name referring to the whorled leaves and flowers. The 
latter are of large size and bright blue, whereas those of 
the true Tremandras are rose or purple. P. gallioides 
is the only species belonging to the genus, and is a 
native of Western Australia, having a slender twiggy 
habit comparable to that of a Heath. Small plants 
are more common than large ones, owing to the fact, 
probably, that it is less easily managed than the Tre¬ 
mandras or Tetrathecas. Owing to its peculiar nature, 
it must be kept cool and well exposed to light, while 
there must be no neglect in the matter of watering— 
not because it requires a large quantity at any time, 
but the slender and fibrous roots resemble those of a 
Heath, and must therefore be kept in the same happy 
medium, otherwise they get killed. We saw some 
finely-flowered but small pieces in the gardens at Syon 
House, Brentford. 
Peperomia resedgeflora. 
A few of the species of this large genus, including P. 
Sandersii, P. marmorata and P. nummularisefolia, are 
grown for the sake of their ornamental foliage ; but P. 
resedreflora owes its value to its branching, dense head 
of small white flowers, which have been compared to 
that of some species of Mignonette (Reseda). The 
whole plant does not exceed a foot in height, and is 
furnished with heart-shaped, deep green, sub-fleshy, and 
very neat leaves. Being a native of New Grenada it 
requires stove treatment, and constitutes a welcome 
addition to the flowering subjects grown in that struc¬ 
ture during the winter and spring months. Propaga¬ 
tion of its fleshy stems is readily effected by means of 
cuttings. A compost of fibrous loam and peat, with 
plenty of silver-sand, will answer its requirements 
admirably in the matter of soil ; and it must not be 
over-watered during the winter months. At that period 
it may be fully exposed to the sun, but shading in 
summer will prove very beneficial. It was introduced 
as recently as 1870, but has not yet found its way into 
many private establishments. Some specimens are 
now flowering in the stove at Syon House, Brentford. 
The Pontic Azalea(Rhododendronflavum). 
Except in old-fashioned gardens we do not now see the 
magnificent bushes of this plant which used to form 
such a conspicuous ornament of the shrubberies, when 
this class of plants was more popular. True it presents 
no striking features during a great portion of the year ; 
but when in flower it is simply gorgeous, forming a 
mass of a clear attractive yellow, diffusing a powerful 
but agreeable aroma for some distance around it during 
the months of May and June when the Pontic Rhodo¬ 
dendron (R. ponticum) and its numerous varieties or 
hybrids are at their best. Originally it was named 
Azalea pontic, and will no doubt for many years to 
come be popularly spoken of as an Azalea, although it is 
now well known amongst botanists that there is no real 
distinction whereby it may be separated from the genus 
Rhododendron. Its strongest character lies in the 
flowers having five anthers, while Rhododendron was 
stated to have ten ; but then the Indian Azalea (Rho¬ 
dodendron indicum) has ten stamens, while in the 
different species the latter organs may vary with five, 
eight, ten, fifteen, or more than twenty stamens. 
There are some fine masses of the species at Rook’s 
Nest, Godstone, now finely in bloom. 
Passiflora kermesina. 
This beautiful species is an object of great interest in 
one of the stove houses at Gunnersbury Park. It is 
trained just under the roof, and it produces its bright 
magenta-crimson flowers in great abundance on long 
slender stems. It is nearly always in bloom.— R. D. 
Lady Banks’ Rose. 
It was a recognised fact fifty years ago, that neither 
the Banksian Rose (Rosa Banksife) nor any of its 
varieties liked the atmosphere of London. Since then 
the city has so enlarged that its influence now extends 
far beyond the original limits, but we were pleased to 
note a fine specimen of the above-mentioned Rose at 
Syon House, Brentford, and which is not only in 
healthy condition, bnt well set with flowers. It is 
grown on an east aspect wall, a large area of which it 
covers, and bears a considerable quantity of trusses 
about to burst into bloom. Taller plants we have seen 
somewhat nearer the great metropolis ; but although 
they seem to grow tolerably satisfactorily, they seldom 
produce any flowers, and then only in the most limited 
quantity. The foliage, however, is pretty, and consists 
of finely serrated deep green shining leaflets, with a 
cheerful aspect. The flowers in the type are pale 
yellow, almost white, while there is a buff-yellow and a 
white variety. All are double and very pretty, from 
the fact that they resemble a cluster of Cherry blossom 
rather than that of a Rose, and are deliciously fragrant. 
The white variety smells like Violets, and were it not 
for the delicate constitution of the plant would be more 
generally cultivated. 
Gentiana acaulis. 
A border on one side of the well-kept pleasure grounds 
at Abbyfield, Bickley, containing about 2,000 clumps 
of Gentiana acaulis, has been a very attractive feature 
during the past two or three weeks, and has been 
visited by many lovers of hardy plants in the locality. 
The border is 115 yards long and 2 ft. wide., and has 
been extra well flowered this season, the effect of which 
can be better imagined than described. — !/ 7 '. P. 
Dielytra spectabilis. 
Here, in the north-west of Monmouthshire, this 
beautiful hardy perennial is flowering freely in a 
western border. Its lovely long racemes of drooping 
pink flowers suspended over its light green foliage 
form a perfect picture of plant beauty. Gardeners 
and amateurs should have a good stock of this useful 
plant in their gardens, as it cannot be excelled at this 
season of the year for decorative purposes. I have seen 
it last quite fresh in water for ten days. It is also a 
most beautiful plant for forcing, and is well adapted 
for the decoration of the conservatory in spring. Strong 
roots must be obtained for this purpose, and should be 
potted in the autumn in a light compost of two parts 
of loam, some leaf-soil and a dash of sand. Plant 
them firmly in G-in. pots, and plunge in a bed of coal- 
ashes until well rooted, when they should be gradually 
inured to light and air. When they assume their 
natural colour stand them close up to the glass, and see 
that the roots are well supplied with water. It is a 
native of China. — JV. IT. N. 
Rivinia humilis. 
The few known species of this genus are grown entirely 
for the sake of their brightly coloured berries, which in 
this case are red. The small insignificant flowers are 
produced in long racemes, and during expansion are 
greenish, but ultimately become whitish rose. Soon 
after this the berries commence to develop, and ripen 
in a comparatively short time, when the plants may be 
transferred to the stove, intermediate or greenhouse as 
required. The berries hang on a long time, and may 
often be seen in all stages of development, from ex¬ 
panding flowers to ripe fruit on the same plant. The 
latter may be grown to various sizes from 1 ft. to 2 ft., 
and consequently require but little room in a house, 
which they greatly enliven during the winter and 
spring months. Numerous plants about 1 ft. in height 
are still beautifully furnished with fruit in all stages of 
development at Syon House, Brentford. Propagation 
may readily be effected by means of cuttings in spring 
in a moderately high temperature, or by seeds, which 
they ripen abundantly, and which readily germinate 
even on the stages where they happen to drop. 
--—- 
CONCERNING LILACS. 
I have been endeavouring to ascertain the derivation 
of the word “Lilac,” and I cannot get further than 
this—that it is a native name received from Persia 
with the plants. Perhaps some learned reader of 
The Gardening World —of which I am persuaded 
there are many—can give me further information on 
this point. It is curious to note that this plant should 
come to us with a native designation that not only 
becomes a common title, but actually gives a name to 
a distinctive colour or shade of colour. 
I am a great admirer of the small-leaved Persian 
Lilac, Syringa persica. There are some very fine 
bushes of it at Gunnersbury Park, where Lilacs are a 
great feature. There is a marked contrast between 
its small leaves and its large and striking panicles of 
flowers. There is a cut-leaved variety, known as 
Incisa or Laciniata, and there is a white form also. It 
is said to be the Persian forms that are forced into 
flower in France and elsewhere, and brought to this 
country. Our common Lilacs are S. vulgaris, and it is 
said the types of this came originally from China, but 
I fancy they are all of Persian origin. The lilac must 
have been introduced to this country many years ago, 
certainly during or before the reign of Henry VIII., 
for in the inventory taken by order of Cromwell, the 
attendant on Cardinal Wolsey, of the articles in the 
garden of the Palace of Norwich, are numbered “Six 
Lilac trees, which bear no fruit, but only a pleasant 
smell.” Syringa is a name commonly given to a shrub 
the stems of which are used in Turkey for making 
pipe sticks. It was applied to the Lilac by Evelyn, 
and for the same reason it has been called the Pipe 
Tree. 
In some country places the Lilac is known by the 
name of the Laylock, and in south Devon the peasantry 
speak of the Lilac under the name of Duck’s Bill. It 
is said that the name Duck’s Bill is explained by the 
appearance of the separate flowerets, which have some¬ 
thing of the shape and form of a Clove, and are 
flattened much after the fashion of the bill of a duck. 
The Lilac, like the Guelder Rose, will bear a great 
amount of rough treatment, but it does best in a good 
depth of loam, and it is readily propagated by means 
of suckers, which are thrown up from the roots in 
great abundance. 
Of varieties of the Lilac there are now many. One 
of the best forms of the Persian is that known as the 
Siberian Lilac—S. Rothomagensis. Of the common 
Lilac, Charles X. and Dr. Lindley aro two fine varieties 
of modern date, with very large rich purple blossoms. 
Then there are Aline Mocquery, Madame Bertha 
Daman, Marie Legraye (which is regarded as the best 
white), Mathieu de Dombasle, Philemon, and Souvenir 
de la Spath. The last named is said to be the finest of 
all the Lilacs. The double varieties, which are not 
nearly so showy to my way of thinking as the single 
ones, are Hyacinthiflora plena, Rubella plena, and 
Lemoinei fl. pi. There is, therefore, no lack of fine 
varieties to choose from, and it is to be hoped some of 
the best forms will be selected for planting purposes.— 
R. D.. 
