May 4, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
5G7 
THE LONDON NURSERY, 
MAIDA VALE. 
This nursery has been established for about a century, 
and during that time must have witnessed many 
changes of the fashion for particular kinds of plants. 
Those that rule the day now are chiefly plants that 
will supply a large quantity of cut flowers, and also 
Orchids. Of the latter a fine collection is now being 
got together from various parts of the world. 
Orchids. 
In spite of the inconveniences for Orchid growing 
produced by the London fogs, horticultural science 
will always strive to surmount these difficulties even in 
the heart of the metropolis. Many established as well 
as recently imported specimens here appeared quite 
happy on the occasion of our visit the other day, and 
many were flowering. Odontoglossum nebulosum is 
by no means one of the most popular species, yet we 
occasionally see some very distinctly marked varieties. 
Here a plant bore flowers, the lip of which was spotted 
all over with dark brownish yellow blotches, while the 
petals were almost wholly covered with markings of 
the same kind. "We could not fail to admire a piece 
of Oncidium concolor, whose bright yellow flowers 
exhibited a lip of unusual size ; 0. Harrisianum is 
another, but smaller-growing kind, that is pretty 
in its way, but comparatively rare in cultivation. 
Amongst the Odentoglossums in flower were 0. 
Cervantesii decorum, 0. maculatum, and 0. Harryanum, 
which is gradually finding its way into every collection. 
Allied to this genus is the beautiful Mesospinidium 
roseum, with graceful sprays of rosy flowers. 
Several Dendrobiums contributed largely to keep the 
houses gay, including D. "Wardianum and D. densi- 
florum albo-luteum (better known under the name of 
D. thyrsiflorum), whose bright yellow lip contrasts well 
with the white sepals and petals. A variable plant is 
D. chrysotoxum, and some bore flowers of unusual size. 
To these may be added D. Bensonire and D. eburneum, 
in small pots hung up near the glass. One pseudo¬ 
bulb and scape of Ladia cinnabarina, bearing seven 
blooms, stood 2 ft. high. Several other pieces, also in 
baskets, showed equal vigour. The pretty Warsce- 
wiczella discolor, with its violet and white flowers, was 
suspended from the roof, as was also Trichopilia suavis, 
one of the best andfreest-flowering species. The blooms 
were well marked and good. Of the Coelogynes, with 
medium-sized flowers, few surpass C. corrugata in 
decorative effect. A large and healthy piece of it in a 
pan covered the space of a yard each way or more. 
Surrounding the door of the Orchid houses was a device 
made of wire, and containing soil in which Ferns were 
planted. Pieces of Asplenium marinum were both 
pretty and interesting. 
The Conservatory. 
As might be expected, this stands nearest the public 
highway, and is filled with the commoner and more 
useful flowering subjects, such as Marguerites, Cinerarias, 
Rhodanthe Manglesi alba, Hyacinths, Spiraeas, Cytisus 
racemosus, small pieces of Hydrangea hortensis with 
large trusses, and Mignonette, all of which kept the 
house gay, and many were highly fragrant. Erica 
perspicua and E. ventricosa were also gay. On the 
centre stage stood three huge plants of Mary Morris 
Carnation, measuring about 6 ft. in height. Close by 
this was a house chiefly filled with Indian Azaleas, 
which have made excellent growth. A large batch of 
Adiantum cuneatum, after having made five weeks’ 
growth, is now a beautiful mass of green. A quantity 
of seedlings were notable for the breadth of their 
pinnules. 
Ferns and Palms. 
Formerly these were grown together, mixed up in the 
same house, but as might be expected, they give far 
greater satisfaction when grown by themselves in 
separate houses, and this is now done. Several of the 
popular market garden Ferns are largely grown, in¬ 
cluding Pteris serrulata magnifiea (a strong-growing 
kind), P. s. compacta, Nephrolepis exaltata, Davallia 
bullata, Doryopteris palmata, and Cyrtomium falcatum. 
Useful also, as well as beautiful, are Asplenium bulbi- 
ferum and Osmunda regalis palustris, with the young 
fronds red. Popular decorative plants grown in this 
house are Oplismenus Burmanni variegatus, better 
known as Panieum variegatum, Aspidistra lurida 
variegata, Ficus elastica, and Acorus gramineus va¬ 
riegatus. The latter takes on a fine colour in heat. 
Amongst Palms the graceful Cocos "VVeddelliana is 
grown in ever-increasing quantity in sizes ranging from 
6 ins. to 18 ins. and 24 ins. in height. Another that 
is exceedingly graceful in the seedling stage is the 
Cabbage Palm (Euterpe edulis). Areca lutescens is 
never absent from collections of decorative Palms, on 
account of its graceful, slender habit, yellow petioles 
and stems, and its elegantly divided leaves. Kentia 
Forsteriana is equally indispensable where variety is 
desired, and has shorter leaves with broader pinnae ; 
while Areca sapida is distinct from either, and comes 
to be very useful when the leaves measure from 5 ft. to 
8 ft. long. Besides the last, there were large and 
bulky specimens of Latania borbonica, with leaves 
7 ft. in diameter, and also Chamserops excelsa. Aralias 
were represented by A. Yeitchii and A. leptophylla. 
-->*<-- 
Gardening 
c3b 
Fruit and Flowers for the Hospital. 
There are many people who cannot give money, but 
who would willingly spare fruit, flowers, evergreens, 
shrubs, &e., from their gardens if it would help the 
Grosvenor Hospital for women and children. Will you 
very kindly permit me to say to them that we need a 
plentiful supply of such things for sale or decoration at 
the Al-fresco Fayre and Floral Fete, which is to be held 
in the South Kensington Conservatory and Royal 
Albert Hall at the end of May for the benefit of the 
hospital. Promises of assistance in this way will be 
accepted quite as thankfully as money contributions, 
so that I trust that I may receive many letters from 
your readers, to whom I will send full particulars.— F. 
C. Howard, Honorary Secretary, Vincent Square, S. IV. 
Is Lilium Harrisii Hardy ? 
We have about 150 plants in pots and boxes here that 
have stood in an old greenhouse all winter, and they 
have had no fire-heat since the new year. In February 
we had 14°, 16°, 18°, and even 22° of frost, and in the 
morning the leaves were all hanging, but I syringed 
them with cold water. That is all the attention they 
received, and now they are flowering and look as fresh 
as ever.— Lilium. 
Tropseolum, Ball of Fire. 
For winter and spring-flowering probably none of the 
forms of Tropieolum majus is more floriferous or more 
easily managed. Mr. Taylor, gardener to Sir John 
Lubbock, Bart, M.P., High Elms, Kent, grows it in 
pots, and trains the shoots along wires under the roof 
of a house with an intermediate temperature. The 
main stems are now from 10 ft. to 20 ft. in length or 
more, and thickly furnished with bloom for a great 
part of their length. After the main stems have 
ceased flowering they throw out short lateral spur-like 
branches. Large quantities of bloom are continually 
being cut from them, yet at the present time they are 
laden with bloom, and impart a gay appearance to the 
roof. The flowers are of a clear bright scarlet, and 
quite distinct from the mixed or uncertain colours 
occurring amongst seedling forms of the species. 
Growers might with advantage use this Tropfeolum 
more frequently on the roofs of their conservatories 
than is at present the case, both for the decoration of 
the same and for cut flowers. 
Saxifraga Oamposii. 
Apropos of your interesting remarks on p. 545, anent 
this very superior mossy-leaved Saxifrage, I would 
humbly add that it also possesses one other rare 
characteristic not therein mentioned, and not inherent 
generally in this family of plants— namely, perfume. 
In addition, therefore, to its fine large-lobed foliage and 
hardy constitution, its flowers, -which are above the 
average size of mossy Rockfoils, are redolent of that 
peculiar odoriferous principle so much sought after by 
lady lovers of flowers and floriculture. Undoubtedly 
fragrance in a flower, generally speaking, lends a charm 
and imparts an importance to its domestication, which 
lacking that desideratum it might not otherwise enjoy. 
Else how does it happen that the cherished Mignonette 
(Reseda odorata) is so much in demand to the exclusion 
of those other flowers which are less fragrant or 
wanting altogether in perfume, but whose compensating 
qualities are referable to their exquisite form, their 
delicate tints, or their brilliancy of hue ? That the 
market growers have found out the commercial value 
of S. Camposii is another point in its favour, and this 
implies extended cultivation. Moreover the flowers are 
freely produced, continue over a large period, and thus 
render, in consequence, the plant an effective one for 
the decoration of the greenhouse, the frame, or the 
window. To amateurs who possess a bit of glass 
accommodation I would suggest that this noble species 
of Rockfoil be forthwith introduced to the other 
occupants. —C. B. £?., Acton, IV. 
Myoaotis dissltiflora. 
One pleasing feature about the grounds at Cliveden, 
Maidenhead, is the attractive clumps of the pretty blue 
Myosotis dissitiflora met with in warm nooks and 
corners, and in close companionship to a tuft of 
Primroses. In the large beds planted with spring 
flowers, the later-blooming M. sylvatica is employed, 
being better suited to stand the winter for the purpose 
of forming bold masses. This is not yet in bloom, as 
it is always later than M. dissitiflora ; but no garden 
in which it can be grown should be without the latter, 
as it is so pretty and effective. It will seed itself, the 
plants coming up about the spot where the parent ones 
stood, and it is a simple matter to transplant them to 
other places where their floral service is needed.— R. D. 
Campanula garganica. 
For early work this is a very serviceable kind, re¬ 
quiring merely to be kept in a warm greenhouse, which 
starts it into growth. As the stems elongate they 
assume a drooping or pendulous habit, and commence 
blooming very early. Flowers are therefore produced 
in succession for a considerable length of time. There 
are several forms of C. garganica in cultivation, amongst 
which is C. g. hirsuta, so thickly furnished with long 
woolly hairs as to present a hoary appearance. It is 
equally suitable for indoor culture as is the more typical 
form, such as we noted the other day at Boston House, 
Brentford. This has dark green foliage and rather 
small but bright blue flowers. The plants are grown 
in small pots, and stood along the front of the staging in 
the greenhouse. When in full flower they also prove 
serviceable for putting round the edges of vases used 
for decorative purposes in the mansion itself. 
Narcissus moschatus cernuus. 
A very abnormal form or rather specimen of this 
garden Daffodil has reached us from Messrs. R. 
Barker & Co., Frampton, Boston, Lincolnshire. The 
pale creamy white colour of the flower was quite 
normal, but the corona was torn up in such a way as to 
show a tendency to doubling. It was cut up into 
numerous segments, extending for a half or three- 
quarters of its length, and in one case to its insertion 
on the perianth. This in itself would not constitute a 
case of doubling, but there were twelve segments more 
or less overlapping one another, while other smaller 
segments were produced both outside and inside the 
main segments and at the base of the fissures. Should 
this prove constant as a variety it would well deserve a 
place in collections, on account of the distinct appear¬ 
ance of the corona from the usual tubular or trumpet 
form, while it is far more graceful than the clumsy 
and lumpy double varieties under cultivation. 
Brownea coccinea. 
Hakd-avooded plants, both stove and greenhouse, do 
not find much favour, as a rule, in private establish¬ 
ments at the present day. This is a native of several 
parts of tropical America, and was originally introduced 
to this country in 1793, where it has probably been 
grown more or less since that time, and has no doubt 
been many times re-introduced by private enterprise. 
Visitors to those parts of America where it grows, and 
who are enthusiasts in plant collecting, get taken by 
its gay appearance under its native skies, and bring 
home specimens. Under cultivation it proves one of 
the most regular and easily-flowered of all the species, 
not even excepting B. grandiceps, which produces huge 
trusses of flowers with tolerable freedom. The blooms 
of B. coccinea are scarlet, and produced in smaller 
clusters, Avhich, however, are more plentifully scattered 
over the plant. A small specimen was brought from 
Jamaica to Boston House, Brentford, about six or seven 
years ago, and is norv flowering in one of the stoves there. 
Gladiolus Colvillei alba Planted Out. 
Convenient places might often be found for planting 
out this beautiful variety in the houses of private estab¬ 
lishments. Being hardy, the matter of temperature 
becomes a secondary question. If flowers, however, 
are required early, the corms might be planted in a 
warm pit, Peach-house, or vinery at work, by which 
they will be hastened and come into flower long before 
they do so in the open air. By planting out, the 
labour of potting and shifting about of the plants is 
avoided, while the plants may be left in the same 
position for years, where they will flower annually. 
A quantity is so planted out in an early Peach-house 
at High Elms, Hayes, Kent, and the corms have not 
been disturbed for the last three years. They are now 
coming into bloom, and will presently afford a large 
quantity of cut bloom. There are now many beautiful 
ISCELLANY. 
