422 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
jNlarcli 2 , 1889. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Erica carxea. 
Whether in the northern counties or in the sunny south, 
one of the harbingers of spring is this dwarf and 
beautiful Heath, with its myriads of rosy pink, conical 
flowers. It is a native of Central Europe, and conse¬ 
quently perfectly hardy in any except the coldest and 
most exposed localities. In planting Heaths it is 
customary to use a considerable quantity of peat mixed 
with the soil, or even to remove the natural soil and 
replace it wholly with peat. Erica carnea, however, 
may be grown almost or wholly without peat, provided 
the soil is light or sandy, but naturally moist, even in 
summer. Better results will, however, be obtained in 
the dry climate of the London district, if a considerable 
quantity of peat is incorporated with the soil, because 
a compost of that nature will prove cooler for the 
slender fibrous roots of the plant during times of heat 
and drought. It may be planted with good effect in 
various ways, but is least interesting when simply 
dotted in small tufts or patches in the ordinary flower 
border. In fact, it would be out of place, and should 
not be used in that way. The finest effects are obtained 
from a bed of it planted on the grass, or as an edging 
to walks in the pleasure grounds, or in front of 
shrubberies, whether paths or grass abut on them. In 
villa gardens it would also constitute a beautiful edging, 
if looked after in the matter of moisture and not trodden 
upon. A good plan in such cases would be to have 
some form of stone or tile edging, planting the Heath 
immediately behind it, so that ultimately the artificial 
edging would be quite hidden. A cool position or a 
northern aspect on the rockery would also be a suitable 
place to grow patches of it. The garden shears may 
be used to trim it into shape after it has done flowering 
and before fresh growth is made. Sprays of it in any 
quantity may be used as cut flowers from January to 
April. 
Maule’s Quince. 
Botanically this may be described under the name of 
Cydonia Maulei, or Pyrus Maulei, the latter being the 
accepted name amongst leading authorities. It forms 
a dwarf and very floriferous shrub, and is more compact 
in every way and more suitable for small gardens than 
the better known Pyrus japonica, whose scarlet flowers 
are very telling in spring. The blooms in this case are 
of a bright or fiery orange-red, and freely produced in 
clusters from last year’s wood or from spurs. The 
plant may be trained against low walls, where it will 
have a very fine effect, both when in flower and again 
in autumn, when covered with its golden yellow fruits, 
which it produces in much greater abundance than any 
of the varieties of Pyrus japonica do. The fruit as to 
shape and size resembles a small Apple, and when ripe 
emits a very powerful but not disagreeable perfume. 
A few fruits are quite sufficient for a room, where they 
will continue to give off their perfume for many weeks 
after being gathered from the bush. The fruit is too 
acid to eat, but may be made into conserve that will 
prove agreeable to the palates of many. 
St. John’s Wort. 
The large-ealyxed St. John’s Wort (Hypericum 
calyeinum) is admirably adapted for covering banks, 
rockwork, or spaces under the drip of trees, where very 
few subjects give any degree of satisfaction. After the 
new growth has been made it represents a carpet, with 
a beautiful dark green appearance, and when the 
flowers expand a handsome effect is produced, owing 
to their large size and the mass of stamens which 
occupy the centre like a huge yellow brush. Wherever 
planted it should be allowed plenty of room to extend 
on every side, and its creeping underground stems will 
soon occupy a considerable area, provided the soil is 
comparatively loose and friable. In small gardens it 
may be grown to great advantage in the front of 
shrubberies, where it will generally attain 1 ft. in 
height. The present is a good time to set about 
planting it. 
Hardy Plants in Flower. 
Independently of those grown in frames and cool 
greenhouses, there is already a large number of various 
subjects in flower. Of common and easily-grown kinds, 
we have the Snowdrops, in great variety ; the Winter 
Aconite, Crocuses, in rich and varied tints too numerous 
to mention ; Lenten Proses, Iris reticulata, Wallflowers, 
Daisies, Daffodils, Primulas and Polyanthus, Seilla 
sibirica, S. bifolia, and others. With tolerably mild 
weather, bulbs of all kinds will soon burst into bloom. 
making the spring garden one of the most enjoyable of 
the whole year. Several shrubs—such as Pyrus 
japonica, Daphne mezereum, Heaths, Viburnum tinus, 
Lonicera Standishi, and Jasminum nudiflorum—are 
flowering more or less, according to the locality, and 
will soon be very gay. All these are but an enumeration 
of a few of the most common and easily-cultivated 
subjects within reach of all. They serve, however, to 
show that with a little care and attention we may keep 
the outdoor garden gay at comparatively small cost. 
Dicentra spectabilis. 
With the aid of a greenhouse, those who are fortunate 
enough to possess Dicentra spectabilis (popularly known 
as Dutchman’s Breeches) may have it in bloom much 
earlier than its usual flowering period by lifting and 
potting up pieces from the open ground, and placing 
them in the warmest part of the plant house. The 
gracefully archiDg racemes of drooping or pendent 
rose-coloured flowers are very handsome, and when 
placed in a cool airy house may be had in perfection, 
whatever be the nature of the weather outside. Their 
fragile stems are liable to be broken out of doors by 
rough winds. 
-- 
Hardening §Jiscellany. 
Bear’s Foot. 
The natural habitats in which Helleborus fcetidus is 
found in a wild state would indicate that it might, 
with great advantage, be introduced to semi-wild 
situations alongside carriage drives, or even as an edging 
to shady footpaths through the woods surrounding the 
residences of private estates. It thrives vigorously in 
partial shade, such as that produced by overhanging 
trees and moderately dense copsewood. In chalky 
districts, such as that of the North Downs in Kent, it 
thrives, flowers, and fruits abundantly. It also 
succeeds equally well on the west coast of England, in 
bushy places in the vicinity of the sea ; and that it 
produces fertile seeds is evidenced from the number of 
seedlings scattered about. The flowers are produced 
in panicles, but are green, tipped with purple, and 
therefore not very conspicuous. The beauty of the 
evergreen foliage, however, constitutes the plant of no 
mean decorative value ; and the flowers appear earlier 
or later in winter, and continue in good condition till 
April. 
Mr. Ware’s Strain of Primroses. 
In view of the growing want for these hardy flowers, 
many growers are endeavouring to meet the demand 
by cultivating them in large numbers, and by materially 
improving the strain by cross-breeding, selection, and 
otherwise. Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nursery, 
Tottenham, has already succeeded in producing a strain 
containing many beautiful shades of rose, lilac, white, 
yellow, crimson, magenta, maroon, and other colours. 
At present there are about 10,000 plants in the open 
ground. Before the advent of the recent cold and 
boisterous east or north-east winds, the beds were quite 
gay. As everyone knows, with a cold east wind 
blowing, it is almost impossible for flowers of any kind 
to look perfectly happy when fully exposed. On the 
return of warmer weather, however, fresh blooms will 
be thrown up in large numbers. 
African Marigolds in Winter. 
A good illustration of what could be done with this 
annual may be seen in the conservatory at The Barons, 
Twickenham, where a number of plants were lifted in 
autumn before the advent of frost, and potted up. 
They continued flowering more or less all the winter, 
struggling bravely against a great deficiency of light, 
such as we had but too frequently during the past 
winter. The flower-heads are not nearly so large as 
those produced during summer in the open air, but 
they afford flowers of quite an unusual kind at this dull 
season. There are many other so-called annuals which, 
if treated in this way, would practically become 
perennial. Notwithstanding the name African Mari¬ 
gold, the species in question (Tagetes erecta) is a native 
of Mexico, as well as the French Marigold (T. patula). 
The former, however, is best adapted for cultivation in 
pots, because of its upright habit. The latter would 
require a great deal of staking to confine it to proper 
dimensions allowable in a conservatory, and this would 
detract from its general appearance. The African 
Marigold, on the other hand, requires no training or 
tying whatever. 
Crocus, Cloth of Silver. 
The Crocus grown in gardens under this name is a 
large variety of C. versicolor, the flowers of which 
almost rival those of C. vernus in size. They also 
resemble those of C. biflorus, but are much larger, and 
have rather an unpleasant, although not strong, odour— 
at least, during a certain period of their flowering. By 
this means they may readily be distinguished from 
those of C. biflorus, as well as by their much greater 
size ; and from C. vernus by being smooth in the throat, 
whereas the flowers of the latter and common species 
are furnished with hairs in the throat, just where the 
limb of the flower narrows into the tube. The variety 
named Cloth of Silver has white flowers, furnished with 
a purple band along the middle of each segment exter¬ 
nally, and are large, showy, and as hardy as any of the 
forms of C. vernus. Cloth of Silver is also amenable 
to pot culture, by which it may be had in flower very 
early in the year, as is done at The Barons, Twickenham, 
where hardy spring-flowering bulbs are largely culti¬ 
vated. 
-ZEsculus rubicunda. 
For a long time after the introduction of this tree there 
was considerable doubt as to whether or not it was a 
mere garden production, that is, an artificial hybrid. 
It seemed also to have been introduced both to Britain 
and the Continent, and to have received different titles 
from botanists, as well as various garden names. 
According to Horticulture Beige, 1836 (p. 97), it 
originated on the Continent by the botanist Michaux 
receiving seeds of what were described as Pavia from 
North America. This was in 1812, and amongst the 
seedlings that germinated at the Jardin des Plantes at 
Paris, one appeared that was quite distinct from the rest. 
This flowered in 1813, and turned out to be the same 
as that named jE. rubicunda in British gardens. There 
can be very little doubt that this is the manner 
in which the tree found its way from America to our 
shores. It is undoubtedly the finest of all the Horse 
Chestnuts, including the Pavias ; and it could not be 
too largely planted for ornamental purposes. 
Narcissus cyclamineus. 
When a mass of this is seen flowering together the 
effect is simply charming. The depth of the yellow 
colour in the crown is thus seen to advantage. Such a 
mass may be seen in Mr. T. S. Ware’s nursery at the 
Hale Farm, Tottenham. A hand-light is placed over 
it in such a way as to shelter it from above, while air 
is freely admitted from beneath it, by its being 
supported at one end. This keeps the plant from 
being drawn, while it is at the same time sheltered 
from cutting east winds. The bulbs when planted 
were very small, indicating that when they become 
stronger, we may expect something even finer. 
Primula erosa. 
In gardens this is sometimes met with under the 
name of P. Fortunei. It has the habit and general 
appearance of P. denticulata, but is so distinct that no 
one would readily mistake the one for the other. The 
flowers are lavender-purple, rather small, and borne in 
large umbellate heads or clusters ; but the individual 
flowers have longer stalks, consequently the heads are 
much looser than those of P. denticulata, and the 
whole head is rendered conspicuous by the very mealy 
calyx, pedicels, and the top of the main stalk. The 
leaves are obversely lance-shaped, coarsely toothed and 
ample, forming a close crown or rosette, from which 
the flower-stalks arise. It is a native of the Himalayas, 
and flowers both early and very satisfactorily if wintered 
in a cold pit or frame, where the atmosphere is kept 
dry and well ventilated. A large batch has been 
flowering with Mr. T. S. Ware for some time past, in 
the Hale Farm Nursery, Tottenham. 
Cyclamen ibericum. 
We frequently find this beautiful hardy species grown 
under the name of C. vernum, C. Coum vernum, or 
even other names. It is a native of South-west Europe, 
and proves amenable to pot culture, or for the deco¬ 
ration of the rockery. C. Coum and C. hedenefolium 
flower in autumn and the early part of winter, and are 
succeeded sooner or later by this species, according to 
the state of the weather. When planted in the open 
air, a warm sheltered position, if not absolutely 
essential, is productive of good results. We have even 
seen it flowering at a very early period on a northern 
exposure after a mild winter. The leathery orbicular 
leaves are deep green, more or less variegated or zoned 
with grey. The ordinary or typical form has rosy 
