488 
THE GABDENING WOBLJJ. 
March 9,U889. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
A correspondent from Wandsworth Common makes 
complaint about the discrepan eies occurring in catalogues 
and seed lists concerning the application of the terms 
annual, biennial, and perennial, hardy, half-hardy, and 
several other terms which frequently conflict with one 
another, putting the amateur to sea about what these 
terms should actually mean. Of course, different 
seedsmen and catalogue-makers have different ex¬ 
periences ; while catalogues of seeds are not always 
strictly explanatory of the terms used. We, however, 
give the undermentioned replies to his numerous 
queries. 
Anneal, Biennial, and Perennial. 
The simplest definition of an annual is a plant that 
flowers the same year as its seeds are sown, and dies 
after producing seeds. A biennial flowers the second 
year and then dies. A perennial may live an indefinite 
period, provided it does not meet with an accident. 
Notwithstanding all this, it is difficult to determine 
sometimes to which of these classes a plant may belong, 
as its term of life often depends upon the conditions to 
which it is subjected. For instance, if the common 
Catchfly (Silene pendula) is sown in July or August it 
will live through the winter, and be described as a 
biennial ; whereas if sown in spring it would flower, 
fruit and die the same year—say in the autumn follow¬ 
ing. Some biennials may behave in the same way, 
especially if they have been sown early in heat and 
afterwards planted out. Taking natural conditions as 
the test, the question will be less difficult to decide. 
There are, however, many annuals, including weeds, 
that germinate with the autumn rains, grow during 
the winter, and flower next spring or early in summer, 
thus extending over part of two seasons. Such are, 
however, strictly annuals, and for the sake of dis¬ 
tinction are sometimes designated winter annuals. In 
this way we can almost get two crops a year of Lim- 
nanthes Douglasii, a beautiful garden annual. Taking 
Tropreolum majus and T. minus (the garden Nastur¬ 
tiums) as another case, they will be found described 
in books as annuals simply, because they always get 
killed in this country with the first severe frost. In 
their native country, or if lifted and placed in a green¬ 
house in this country, they become true perennials. 
From thislt will be understood that considerable latitude 
(too much in fact) is allowed when speaking of annuals. 
Hardy and Half-Hardy. 
Hardiness in plants is only a thing of degree. What 
would kill some plants outright would not hurt others 
at all. When a plant is described as hardy, the lati¬ 
tude should always be given, that is, what country or 
district the writer is speaking of should always be 
mentioned. Mimulus moschatus (common Musk) is a 
hardy perennial, as it is largely grown in the open air, 
without any protection whatever, at least 200 miles 
north of the Tweed. The same may be said of Mimulus 
cupreus, except that it is less common. All other 
statements quoted from the different catalogues are 
erroneous. It is true that the rhizomes, or underground 
stems, of Mimulus cupreus are more liable to die than 
those of M. moschatus, but our experience of it, as grown 
in a northern county, in the coldest part of the garden, 
and entirely without protection, is that it is hardy. 
The nature of the soil, together with a dry climate, no 
doubt leads some to consider it tender. Dianthus 
chinensis is strictly speaking a perennial, but is rather 
tender, or short-lived, in our country, so that it is 
usually treated as a half-hardy annual with good results. 
We have also grown and flowered it fairly well in its 
second year in the south, but after that it is liable to 
die off in quantity, leaving bare patches. By sowing 
in April in the open border anyone may succeed fairly 
well with it. Helichrysum bracteatum flowers best 
when raised in heat, but it can also be raised in the open 
air. This is no doubt the reason why it has been spoken 
of as being hardy and half-hardy. Linum grandiflorum 
rubrum and Sweet Scabious are hardy annuals. Lobelia 
speciosa compacta is a perennial, but requires the pro¬ 
tection of a greenhouse. Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis 
j alapa) is as much a perennial as the Dahlia, and its 
tuberous roots require the same protection in winter. 
Half-hardy Anneals. 
Many of the half-hardy annuals may be sown in the 
open air and flowered successfully without the aid of 
glass structures. They will, however, be much later 
in coming into flower, as they must be sown later when 
entirely grown out of doors. The following, which 
are generally described as half-hardy annuals, will 
grow and flower entirely out of doors, namely, Ten- 
weeks’ Stocks, China Asters, French and African 
Marigolds, Tropaolum major, T. minor, and T. 
aduncum. The latter is the Canary Creeper. Add to 
this list, Helichrysum, Rhodanthe, and Acroclinium 
roseum, as everlastings ; also Amaranthus caudatus 
(Love-lies-Bleeding), Phlox Drummondi, Salpiglossis 
sinuata, Schizanthus retusus, S. pinnatus, and in 
a warm position the common Balsam (Impatiens 
balsamina) may also be grown. Sow them about the 
end of April or the beginning of May, according to the 
weather and its prospects. 
Hardy biennials and perennials may be sown now in 
the open garden with every hope of success. They may 
be sown in spring with the other kinds, or later on, say 
in July, in the southern part of this country. In 
neither case will they flower the first season. 
Aericelas and Polyanthes in Pots. 
Fresh growth has commenced with these subjects grown 
in frames, whether artificial heat is used or not. They 
may be assisted to make strong growth and flower well 
by top-dressing them with some fresh and good staple 
material, containing a fair quantity of some artificial 
stimulant. Carefully avoid giving anything either too 
rank or too much of it. With the aid of nice mellow 
loam alone, taken from an old pasture and allowed to 
lie for a year, good results may be obtained. Remove 
about an inch of the old material from the surface, 
using a blunt-pointed piece of wood or a strong label 
to do it. Avoid injuring any of the young roots which 
may now be pushing from the collar of the plant. The 
work must be done carefully, even at the expense of 
some loss of time. 
-—>X<-- 
THE HIGHGATE NURSERIES. 
Spring flowers are even yet by no means abundant, 
and although considerable quantities are forced, it is 
yet too early for the main batches of such things as 
Hyacinths, Tulips and Narcissi. Several of the houses 
of Messrs. Wm. Cutbusli &Son, Highgate, are, however, 
quite gay with an assortment of various winter and 
spring subjects, both soft and hard-wooded. 
Greenhouses. 
The visitor enters the nursery through conservatories, 
one of which is devoted to Palms, Dracaenas and others 
of that class, while that on the left hand is devoted to 
greenhouse-flowering plants or ornamental-leaved sub¬ 
jects. Here were small freely-flowered specimens of 
Azalea mollis in different shades of colour, and forced 
Rhododendrons. One variety of the latter, named R. 
conspicua, had very pleasing rose flowers, with purple 
spots on the upper segments. A large quantity of 
Aralia Sieboldii variegata in all sizes was very distinctly 
and well coloured. Lower down the steep hill is a low 
span-roofed house, the atmosphere of which was simply 
laden with the fragrance of Boronia megastigma in full 
flower, and Daphne odora (indica), of which there were 
many small well-flowered pieces. At one end was a 
large batch of Otaheite Oranges in fruit. We have on 
a former occasion seen this house filled with Pernettyas 
exhibiting a great diversity of colouring in the berries. 
The plants we noted, however, in several situations both 
in and out of doors, are as richly berried, if not more 
so than last year, notwithstanding the unfavourable 
nature of last summer. They are perfectly hardy, and 
the wonder is that they are not cultivated in the 
shrubberies of every private establishment as well as in 
the greenhouses during winter. 
Close by is another house filled with Azaleas, 
Snowball (Viburnum opulus sterilis), large quantities 
of Dielytra spectabilis in a very floriferous condition, 
Ardisia crenulata in full berry, and seedlings of the 
useful Araucaria excelsa. The most popular Lilacs 
here are the Persian and varieties of the common one, 
including Charles S. and the beautiful white variety, 
Syringa vulgaris albo virginalis. Amongst the Azaleas 
was the pure white and popular Deutsche Perle in full 
flower or set with masses of buds, also Sankuntula, a 
pure white, free-flowering double kind, and the early 
semi-double white, Narcissiflora. Of Hyacinths there 
were large quantities in various stages of development. 
There were some beautiful samples of the German Lily 
of the Valley just bursting into full bloom, and which 
were deliciously scented. We also noticed specimens 
of Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora grown as standards 
with a clear stem of 3 ft. or 4 ft. When in flower 
they will no doubt be handsome, grown in this fashion, 
and well adapted for dotting about in conservatories. 
Fine-foliaged Plants. 
The largest specimens of Palms are grown in a house 
facing the highway, and on the immediate right of the 
entrance. All the more common kinds are grown here, 
and amongst others a fine piece of Areca Baueri. The 
large specimens of Cordyline indivisa, used in various 
ways for house-decorating purposes, are objects of 
considerable beauty, and well furnished with foliage. 
Close by are some standard specimens of Laurus nobilis, 
with about 6 fc. of clear stem. In other houses are 
large quantities of Cocos Weddelliana, Kentia Bel- 
moreana from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in height, and R. 
Canterburyana, of which we noted a specimen from 
3 ft. to 4 ft. in height. A. luteseens, one of the most 
useful Palms for decorative purposes, is grown in large 
numbers from seeds. They are about eighteen months 
old, and from 12 ins. to 18 ins. in height. The Cocos 
mentioned above, together with Areca Baueri and 
Latania borbonica, are grown in a new, low, span-roofed 
house, and appear very happy. They are very little 
more than twelve months old, and the seedlings are 
bushy and from 6 ins. to 8 ins. in height. 
In the same new house a great variety of Crotons of 
a useful size are grown, together with Asparagus 
plumosus and A. p. nanus. A useful plant is Myr- 
siphyllum asparagoides, grown here under the name of 
Medeola. According to the Ge'tiera Plantarum, it is 
now called Asparagus, while our American cousins call 
it Smilax. A useful stove shrub, that might be more 
frequently cultivated, is Justicia, or as it should be 
called, Shaueria calycotricha, with calyx and corolla 
yellow. Gynura aurantiaca is notable in the young 
state for the beautiful violet covering of hairs to the 
leaves, and which are very pretty when the plant is 
on a level with the eye when looked at. Some fine 
specimens of Tillandsia hieroglyphica and T. tesselata 
may be noted about the house. Very distinct amongst 
Dracaenas is D. canntefolia, with ascending long-stalked 
leaves, the blade of which is broad, resembling that of 
a Canna ; both blade and petiole are of a deep glaucous 
colour. The plant would be very useful for a stove or 
warm conservatory, and is altogether different from 
other kinds. Of D. Lindeni there were some beautiful 
little plants. 
Ferns. 
A considerable number of varieties are grown in 
different houses, but one span-roofed structure was 
almost entirelj 7 devoted to some of the more useful 
kinds, such as Pteris tremula, P. serrulata cristata, 
Lomaria Gibba, Osmunda regalis palustris, Onychium 
japonicum, and Davallias, including the beautiful D. 
Tyermanni. Pretty Ferns are Cheilanthus tomentosa 
and C. hirta Ellisii. The beautiful Gymnogramma 
schizophylla is suspended from the roof, where it is 
seen to best advantage. Amongst Adiantums were 
A. Farleyense, A. rhodophyllum, so beautiful when the 
fronds are young, and all the more common species 
which it is needless here to mention. 
On the roof of one house we noted some Dendrobiums 
in flower, and it may here be stated that the Messrs. 
Cutbush are about to form a collection of cool Orchids, 
which will be a new feature in the nursery. 
Trees and Shrebs. 
The nursery grounds at Highgate are not very 
extensive, yet a considerable quantity of Conifers are 
grown, as well as Aueubas, Laurels, and Cherry Laurel. 
Ivies are also a strong feature here, a collection of many 
of the choicer kinds being grown. A large quantity of 
many of the broad-leaved or Irish Ivy is grown in 24- 
sized pots, and trained to stakes to the height of 
4 ft. or 6 ft. The beautiful broad white-edged Hedera 
Helix madeirensis is largely grown in pots, and kept in 
a cold frame. It is admirably adapted for decorative 
purposes. There are also standard Mulberries with 
straight stems and good heads. The Weeping Beeches 
and Birches are beautiful and interesting. On the side 
walls is a collection of all the leading varieties of 
Peaches, standard, half-standard, and dwarf-trained. 
They are grafted on the Mussel stock, and made good 
wood last year. 
-- 
ARDENING fflSCELLANY. 
-- 4 -- 
Yellow Polyanthuses. 
A boxful of trusses, the produce of seedlings of Poly¬ 
anthus, has reached us from Mr. J. T. Gilbert, Anemone 
Nurseries, Dyke Bourne, Lincolnshire. They were 
deliciously fragrant, and judging from the number of 
flowers on a truss, the seedlings must be very vigorous. 
The prevailing colour was yellow in varying degrees of 
intensity, while some were very pale, and almost creamy 
white, with a very conspicuous orange-yellow five to 
six-lobed eye. One truss or umbel had nine expanded 
flowers, five of which were of a bright yellow, while the 
