September 26, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
49 
the flowering shoots causes the more rapid develop¬ 
ment of the lateral and later ones, which in their turn 
keep up a succession of bloom. 
The undermentioned kinds we noted a short time 
since in the gardens at Gunnersbury Park, where 
Mr. Hudson manages to secure a considerable 
amount of bloom from small plants. Specimens 
under two years old, and in small pots, were bearing 
from six to nine trusses of bloom. Prince of Orange 
is a particularly free flowering kind, and had the 
latter number of trusses all open at one time. The 
flowers are of a bright orange with very short and 
broad segments giving them a rounded outline. I. 
Morsei has short and broadly obovate segments of a 
darker orange. The bulk of the Ixoras in cultivation, 
whether species or varieties, are characterised by 
orange, scarlet or red flowers in varying shades, so 
that a softer shade affords a pleasing variation in a 
collection of kinds. This contrast is afforded by I. 
Westi, which bears large trusses of flowers which 
are pure white on first expansion, but gradually 
change to pink. At certain stages the flowers on a 
truss show a pleasing mixture of pure white and 
soft pink. 
A free growing and perhaps more popular kind is 
I. Williamsii, which has large orange flowers shaded 
with red, and long, obovate segments which give to 
the flowers a more cruciate appearance. I. Fraseri 
is of the same type as the last, with regard to the 
form and size of the flowers, but the latter are of a 
decided orange hue. When these trusses are cut, 
others are developed on the laterals. Then in spring, 
if the flowers have been removed in this way with a 
small portion of the shoot, little remains but to repot 
in the same or a larger size, and introduce them into 
strong heat, with the assurance of a good harvest of 
bloom in due time. 
■» 
THE HYPERICUMS. 
There are something like 160 species of Hypericum 
scattered over various parts of the world, although 
the greater part of them are to be found in the north¬ 
ern hemisphere and on the mountains of tropical 
regions. Some of the latter are both neat and 
beautiful, but unfortunately few of them are able to 
withstand severe winters in this country. Some of 
them are strictly herbaceous, while others are as 
decidedly shrubs; but a number of them are of an 
intermediate character, and while they might most 
properly be classed amongst shrubs in their native 
country, they are liable to be killed to the ground in 
Britain during winter, and appear then more akin to 
herbaceous plants. All are of the easiest culture, 
and the hardy ones when planted in well drained 
soil require comparatively little attention of any kind 
except a slight pruning in winter to keep them com¬ 
pact and bushy, or to cut away any dead wood. 
The smaller and neater of them are useful for plant¬ 
ing on the rockery. Several of the half hardy, 
shrubby kinds are useful for pot work, either in the 
conservatory or hardy plant house ; but we shall 
concern ourselves here with the hardy shrubs or sub- 
shrubby kinds only. Several of them are highly 
ornamental, and suitable for planting in beds upon 
the grass ; and that is a use for which we should like 
to see them more largely employed. They flower 
continuously during the summer months whether 
wet or dry. Propagation is readily effected by 
.means of cuttings, seeds and in the case of the creep¬ 
ing species by suckers. 
Hypericum Moserianum. — This is the most 
recent acquisition to the genus, and is the more re¬ 
markable from the fact that it is a hybrid between 
H. patulum and H. calycinum, the latter being the 
pollen parent. The leaves are large, ovate, and of 
the same texture and dark green colour as the pollen 
parent. The clear bright yellow flowers are much 
larger than those of H. patulum, showing the 
influence of H. calycinum, but the drooping or 
spreading habit is that of the former. The numerous 
yellow stamens are very prominent, and are rendered 
more so by their red anthers. It was raised by Mr. 
Moser at Versailles, and recently received a First- 
class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural 
Society. A bed of it at Kew' has been flowering 
most profusely all the summer, and will apparently 
do so until cheeked by frost. Our illustration will 
give an idea of the form and appearance of the 
flowers and leaves. 
H. calycinum.— Description is hardly necessary 
m tfie case of this useful old-fashioned subject. The 
large yellow flowers, numerous long stamens, dwarf 
habit and creeping underground stems are the chief 
features of this species. Popularly it is known as 
the Rose of Sharon and Aaron’s Beard. Though 
not strictly a native it has become naturalised in 
several parts of Britain and Ireland. It is admirably 
adapted for covering banks, the ground under trees, 
and for game covert in woods. 
H. patulum.— In its native country, Japan, this 
species is stated to grow 6 ft. high, but here it seldom 
exceeds i8in., and is of slender, spreading, very 
graceful habit. The flowers are of medium size, but 
very neat, and are produced in corymbs terminating 
the shoots, which are developed in succession all 
through the summer in the same profuse way as in the 
caseof H. Moserianum. It forms a beautiful margin to 
beds of larger shrubs, or may be used in small beds 
by itself, or planted on rockwork for w'hich its habit 
proves highly suitable. 
H .Hookerianum.— The stems of this species rise to 
a height of 2 ft. to 3J ft., and become branched and 
bushy at the top. All the stems and shoots assume 
an upright habit, so that old plants are well adapted 
for planting in beds with an undergrowth of some¬ 
thing else such as tuberous Begonias, Fairy Roses, 
Heliotropes, or even bulbous plants, including 
Hypericum Moserianum. 
Narcissi, Hyacinths, Crocuses, and others. The 
flowers are of large size, conspicuous and like 
those of others, bright yellow. The species is best 
known under the name of H. oblongifolium, and is a 
native of Nepal. 
H. elatum.— The specific name means tall, and 
in this country the stems vary from 3 ft. to 5 ft. in 
height. It is a North American plant and perfectly 
hardy, flowering profusely from July onwards. 
Young plants form close, dense habited bushes, and 
old ones may be made so by cutting down the old 
stems, thereby causing a vigorous growth of young 
stems from the base. 
H. Andros^mum.— The stems of this plant are 
only of a sub-shrubby nature, but the species not¬ 
withstanding is best classed with shrubs. Popularly 
it is known as Tutsan or Sweet Amber, and is a true 
British native. The flowers are both numerous and 
attractive, although not very large, and are followed 
by red or crimson fruits of an equally attractive 
nature in autumn. The leaves and other parts of 
the plant are of a strong-smelling nature, especially 
when bruised, but it is more of a resinous nature 
than disagreeable. 
H. HiRCiNUM. — The odour of this plant has 
earned for it the title of Goat-scented St. John’s 
Wort; but notwithstanding this it is of a highly 
ornamental character owing to the dark shining green 
hue of its leaves, and dense bushy habit. It comes 
from the Mediterranean region and is generally seen 
about 2 ft. high, although it may ultimately reach 
4 ft. The flowers on a shoot are few but large. 
The front of the shrubbery border is the best place 
for it. 
H. uralum. — There is a considerable resemblance 
between this plant and H. patulum, but it is of a 
more upright and freely branched habit, and the 
slender, compressed shoots are terminated by 
corymbs of neat yellow flowers. It is a native of 
Nepal, where it attains a height of 2 ft. on the top of 
the mountains, and from whence it was introduced 
in 1823. A dry, well-drained soil is the best place 
for it, and some dry bracken might be placed amongst 
the stems in the case of a severe winter. 
H. prolificum.— The usual height of this plant is 
18 in., and old specimens may even get taller. It 
was introduced from North America in 1758, and has 
linear-lanceolate leaves, giving the plant a totally 
different appearance from any of the above-mentioned 
kinds. The flowers are moderate in size, but pretty 
owing to the numerous long stamens. 
H. Kalmianum.— The stems of this North Ameri¬ 
can plant are square, and frequently attain a greater 
height than those of H. prolificum. The leaves are 
linear-lanceolate, and the flowers are borne in showy 
corymbs terminating the branches. Collectors of 
choice shrubs consider it a plant of great ornamental 
value. 
SCOTTISH NOTES. 
Blair Castle, Culross. 
Being on a holiday tour, I took advantage to call 
at this beautiful place, where good gardening 
is so ably carried out under the supervision of 
Mr. Stenhouse, who has made great improvements 
since taking charge there. The glass houses are 
seven in number, and are first-class in every 
respect, being light in construction, well heated 
and giving an abundance of light, thus making 
them well adapted for fruit or plant growing. 
The plant stove is a model in itself, and the occu¬ 
pants looked at home. The centre table was filled 
with tall graceful Palms, while Dieffenbachias, 
Crotons, and Dracaenas of medium height helped to 
brighten up the sombre green which was so prominent 
in the Palms. The side stages were filled with 
smaller stuff suitable for table decoration. Amongst 
the many Crotons which find favour at Blair are 
Countess, Mrs. Dorman, Interruptum Aurea, Prin¬ 
cess of Wales, Warrenii, Augustifolium, Pictinatus, 
and Weismanii. Dracaenas are of the choicest sorts, 
including Mrs. Laird, Miss Glendinning, Duke of 
Teck, Lord Wolsley, Baptistii, Lindenii and others. 
Panicum variegatum was also freely used as an edging, 
imparting a finished look to the house. 
The late vinery was carrying a full crop of Grapes, 
Black Alicante being very fine. Lady Downs was 
also good, while Gros Colmar was late, as it 
generally takes a long time to finish properly. The 
conservatory was gay with Fuchsias, double and 
single Begonias, and a host of other kindred subjects 
which loaded the air with fragrance. Chrysanthe¬ 
mums are well grown, and to all appearance their 
culture is pretty well understood at Blair Castle. The 
flower garden was gay with Calecolarias, Pelargo¬ 
niums, and a host of other flower-garden plants. I 
may say that border Chrysanthemums are freely 
used, and are most effective in every respect. The 
lawns were well kept, walks clean and edges trim, 
in short, a credit to master and servant.— W. Angus, 
Dumfriesshire. 
Distinguished Scottish Gardeners in America. 
—It will doubtless interest many of our northern 
readers to know that the newly-elected President 
and Vice-president of the Society of American 
Florists are both natives of Scotland. The President, 
Mr. James Dean, of Bay Bridge, New York, is the 
son of a former gardener to the Marquis of Queens- 
berry, at Kinmont Castle, Dumfriesshire, who went 
to the States in 1850, when the subject of this note 
was only five years old. Mr. James Dean served his 
country with distinction during the Civil War as a 
lieutenant in the 72nd New York Volunteers, and 
was twice wounded. He has been in the Florist 
business since 1S75, and enjoys a high reputation 
for sterling integrity and professional ability. The 
Vice-president, Mr. William R. Smith, was at Kew 
in the time of the late Sir William Hooker, and for 
the last quarter of a century or more has been 
curator of the Botanical Gardens at Washingtpn 
which enjoy a high reputation. 
