662 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 18, 1892. 
PEONIES AT LONG 
DITTON. 
The Siberian Pseonia albiflora was originally intro¬ 
duced in 1548, and for many years retained its 
primitive condition ; but within recent times a host 
of new varieties have been obtained by seed raising 
chiefly in continental gardens. The double varieties 
of ten cr twelve years ago would not hold their own 
with the fine varieties of to-day. Whether for 
garden decoration or for cut flowers, they are simply 
gorgeous, and hold a high rank amongst summer 
flowering plants. In the cut state they last in water 
for a week, and even if cut in the haif-expanded 
state, they open beautifully. They should be planted 
in rich soil, ameliorated every autumn or winter with 
some good manure to encourage vigorousgrowth, for 
by that means only can large and perfect flowers be 
obtained, and good sized clumps have always a tell¬ 
ing appearance. Some prefer single kinds, while 
others like the doubles ; and while both sorts have 
much to recommend them, the latter are if anything 
more durable while in bloom. The undermentioned 
kinds are picked varieties from an extensive collection 
in the nursery of Messrs. Barr & Son, Long Ditton, 
Surrey, where last week some 50,000 blooms might 
have been seen. The European varieties were 
mostly over, being earlier than the Siberian P. albi¬ 
flora. 
Single Varieties. 
For some years the best single white was Whitleyi, 
but the Bride is a great improvement upon it; both 
have about ten white petals, but those of the Bride 
are purest, and form a more cup-shaped flower 
owing to their greater substance. The yellow 
stamens form a mass in the centre, and the flowers 
are fragrant; both varieties flower at the same time. 
Queen of May is a satiny rose variety flaked with a 
darker shade externally. Victoria is deep crimson- 
red. Another beautiful variety is Sophia, which has 
rose flowers flaked with pink towards the edge. A 
large number of single-flowered varieties and species 
natives of Europe are now mostly out of season. 
Double Varieties. 
Anyone paying a visit to the grounds of Messrs. 
Barr at this season must acknowledge that the 
double kinds are the most effective. The darkest 
variety we noted was Reine Pottard, with flowers of 
medium size, deep blood red and smelling like 
Hawthorn. Here it may be remarked that most of 
the dark kinds flower late, so that relatively few of 
them were in bloom at the time of our visit. The 
flowers of Madame Benard are of a deep rose and 
as fragrant as a Monthly Rose, the odour being very 
similar in both cases. The blooms of Madame 
Calcot are of huge size and flesh coloured with 
white edges to the petals, and the outer ones being 
longer form a guard. A dwarf, erect or self-support¬ 
ing variety is Etendard du Grand Homme with 
close, bright rose flowers and satiny pink edges ; they 
are also fragrant. Some varieties on theother hand, 
although they possess an odour, are not particularly 
agreeable, while others have no smell at all. One of 
the most distinct is Zoe Verniory with huge flowers 
and much interlaced, or crumpled petals resembling 
a mass of finely crumpled paper. They are white 
tinted with pale purple or lilac and the outer guard 
petals are pink. The odour is particularly sweet 
and agreeable. 
One of the largest and most conspicuous is 
Grandiflora Carnea, with huge white flowers soon 
changing to flesh while the guard petals are blush 
pink. Grandiflora nivea differs by being pure white 
except that when expanding the inner petals are 
creamy yellow. The stems are dwarf and self- 
supporting. One of the choicest in our opinion is 
General Bedeau, with broad, soft lilac-pink guards 
that fold up at night even in water, compressing the 
inner petals and giving the whole a cup-shaped 
appearance. The inner petals are narrow and close 
exhibiting a mixture of white, lilac, pink and a few 
red coloured ones. Alice Julvicourt has a full white 
centre, slightly shaded with creamy yellow at first 
with a delicate blush guard. The double form of 
Whitleyi has blush guards and a dense, creamy 
white centre changing to pure white. The flowers 
of H. M. Stanley are large and full, with broad 
guard petals giving the bloom somewhat the appear¬ 
ance of a Hollyhock, and all are rose-coloured with 
satiny edges. The guards of Josephine Parmentier 
are rose, and the inner petals fade to a satiny edge, 
while they are much interlaced or wavy. Very 
different is Elegans Superbissima, with abroad pure 
white guard and a close centre of narrow white 
petals opening of a creamy hue at first. Rubra 
Triumphans grows about 2 ft. high, and has glowing 
crimson-purple flowers. Compared with the last 
Superbissima is a giant with stems 3 ft. to 3J ft. 
high, and large, rich crimson flowers very freely 
produced. The earliest buds only were expanding 
at the time of our visit, so that it may be considered 
a late variety. An old sort is Pottsi, with deep- 
crimson-purple flowers. The stems attain a height 
of only 18 in., but flower very freely, and in this 
respect the variety differs from many other old 
kinds which cannot now hold their own against the 
newer sorts, which are in most cases very floriferous. 
-■*«- 
ROCK PLANTS IN BLOOM. 
In the early spring time the dwarf subjects, whether 
from lowland or alpine habitats, and that are 
suitable for the rockery or Alpine garden, flower in 
comparatively small numbers, but as spring gives 
place to summer a host of subjects claim the 
attention of the cultivator or plant lover. The 
Saxifrages are particularly numerous in June, but 
for that reason the individual species are overlooked 
in the mass of bloom, by all except the connoisseur, 
or the collector, bent on making fresh additions to 
those he already possesses. 
Saxifraga muscoides atropurpurea.— There are 
several sub-varieties of this Saxifrage, differing in 
the form of the petals and the shade of colour ; but 
there is a richly coloured one with reddish purple 
flowers, that is also notably dwarf forming a dense 
carpet of mossy foliage just surmounted by a 
charming profusion of flowers. All the forms are of 
the easiest culture and very hardy. 
Saxifraga Cymbalaria.— The flowers of this 
lowly growing species are of a clear bright yellow, 
and produced in great profusion on pale green brittle 
stems that only rise above the ground to a height of 
one or two inches. The leaves are reniform, seven 
to eleven lobed, and of a pleasing light green. The 
species is a native of the Himalayas, and may be 
seen under various names such as S. Sibthorpii, and 
S. Hueti. It likes a cool, and rather moist situation 
where it will perpetuate itself from seeds. 
Ramondia pyrenaica. —-The lilac purple flowers 
of this plant have a charm of their own, more 
especially by their association with a tuft of rough, 
woolly leaves, forming a rosette upon the ground. 
The plant naturally grows in mountainous places 
inserted in crevices amongst stones, and should so 
be planted in this country with the object of keeping 
the leaves dry in winter. A cool, slightly moist or 
half shaded position suits its requirements best, for 
if planted in dry, sunny, and exposed positions, it 
gets burned up. There is a white variety, but except 
in association with the type, it is less attractive. 
Linaria alpina. —The dwarf tufted habit of this 
species and the richly coloured flowers, make it a 
gem amongst Alpines. The stems attain a length 
usually of 6 in., but are somewhat decumbent, 
bearing short, capitate racemes of flowers on the top. 
These are of a rich bluish-violet with a lively orange 
blotch on the palate, and on the whole are very 
charming. The plant may be grown on the higher 
and more exposed portions of the rockery. It may 
be increased by seeds. 
Silene acaulis.— The leaves of this Catchfly are 
arranged in dense cushions covering the surface of 
the ground like a carpet, and on that account well 
merits the popular names of Cushion Pink and Moss 
Campion. The pink flowers are half an inch across 
and merely rise above the surface of the foliage, 
being thus stemless as the specific name implies. It 
roots deeply, however, and should be planted where 
its roots can penetrate to a considerable depth and 
thus supply moisture to the plant during the droughty 
periods of summer. When once established it should 
not be disturbed. 
Dryas octopetala.— Being a mountain plant, 
this delights in a peaty soil when attempts are made 
to grow it upon the rockery. Peat has the property 
of retaining moisture, and is not liable to get heated 
to the same extent as loamy or sandy soil. The 
stems are procumbent, woody, long lived, and 
furnished with oblong, cut leaves, fancifully com¬ 
pared to those of the Oak, hence the generic name. 
The white flowers have generally about eight petals, 
and offer a beautiful contrast to the dark green 
foliage. 
Veronica rupestris. —Botanically this is con¬ 
sidered to be a form of V. Teucrium, but with 
exception of V. prostrata, another closely allied form, 
no Veronica is capable of producing a finer display 
of dark blue flowers on short stems. It can readily 
be increased by cuttings or divisions, and for that 
reason may be considered common ; but some years 
will elapse before it gets overdone in gardens. 
Phlox subulata nivalis. —There are two or 
more white forms of the species, but that under 
notice is the purest in colour. That named P. s. 
Nelsoni has five purple spots round the eye, and may 
not be considered inferior from a garden point of 
view, yet the two are in this respect distinct. A 
broad patch of the plant in question forms a sheet of 
white during the month of June. Although it will 
grow in an ordinary border, it certainly looks best 
when elevated upon rock work. 
Dianthus alpinus.— Notwithstanding its intro¬ 
duction in 1759, this charming Alpine Pink has never 
become so common in gardens as might be expected. 
The plant itself is diminutive in size, but the flowers 
are larger than many of the stronger growing kinds, 
and of a deep rose, spotted with crimson towards 
the base of the segments. The flower stems seldom 
exceed 3 in. in height, and the leaves are small and 
deep green. It is a real gem amongst Alpines. 
--5-- 
Hardening Miscellany. 
ERODIUM MACRADENIUM. 
The species of Heron’s Bill in most cases are dwarfer 
than the Geraniums or Crane's Bill, and, botanically, 
they hold an intermediate position between the 
latter and Pelargonium. Although generally quite 
distinct and easily recognisable, even by the un¬ 
trained eye, there are several species of Erodium 
and Pelargonium which approach one another very 
closely in general appearance, and the species under 
notice is one of them. The flowers are usually con¬ 
sidered regular, but in some cases slightly irregular, 
and when the two upper petals are differently 
coloured from the rest, they recall some of the Pelar¬ 
goniums very forcibly. The Erodium under notice 
has the two upper petals pink, with a large livid black 
blotch with darker veins near the base ; the lower 
petals are blush with red veins. The leaves are 
greyish-green and two or three times pinnatifid, so 
that on the whole the plant is highly ornamental, 
forming a dwarf and compact tuft about 6 in. high 
with three flowers on each stalk borne well above 
the foliage. The plant is perfectly hardy when 
planted on a sunny well-drained part of the rockery, 
and increases but slowly so that it never over-runs 
its neighbours. In case of accident a few cuttings 
should be struck and kept in pots in cold frames. 
A BLACK FRITILLARY. 
Many of the Fritillaries have brown flowers of va¬ 
rious shades, but the flowers of Fritillaria kamt-. 
chatica are of a blackish maroon, and therefore 
almost black. They are terminal, drooping, bell¬ 
shaped, and the inner face is covered with elevated 
ridges or plates. In most species there are only two 
plates confined to the centre, so that the species all 
round is very distinct as it is rare. The stems are 
12 in. to 18 in. high, and furnished with lanceolate, 
ribbed leaves in whorls of three to five. A cool 
situation in a peaty soil and slightly shaded from the 
midday sun suits its requirements very well. It is 
flowering in Messrs. Barr & Son’s nursery at Long 
Ditton. 
THE WOOLLY HAWKWEED. 
The flower heads of Hieracium villosum are of large 
size but yellow as in most other species. 1 he 
species is, however, deserving of culture on the rock- 
work for the sake of its hoary, woolly leaves alone. 
All parts of the plant are covered with long, white 
hairs making it very conspicuous; and this is the 
more marked when grown in a dry situation. In rich 
soil or in the herbaceous border half its beauty and 
natural characteristics would be lost. Those who 
have a rockery would find it a distinct and by no 
means a common plant. We noted it in Messrs. 
Barr & Son’s nursery. 
APPLE ANNIE ELIZABETH. 
Amongst the Apples that receive attention for their 
late keeping qualities, Annie Elizabeth should find a 
