710 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 9, 1892. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
CEnothera fruticosa. —Various names are given 
to this plant in gardens, a fact due to its being some¬ 
what liable to variation. The red stemmed form to 
which the name CE. f. Youngi is given in gardens is 
very pretty, dwarf and floriferous. The stems usually 
range from 12 in. to 18 in. high, and are branched in 
the upper portion, the primary stem and the branches 
ending in a short corymbose raceme of bright yellow 
flowers, which contrast well with the red stems and 
dark green foliage. 
CEnothera speciosa. —This is probably the best 
of the white species for the ordinary herbaceous 
border, on account of its upright habit. The flow'ers 
are large and produced in succession in elongating 
racemes. Although the habit is similar to that of 
CE. frulicosa in some respects, the leaves are deeply 
serrate, and underground rhizomes send up suckers 
here and there, even at some distance from the plant 
in loose ground, thus affording a ready means of 
increase. The flowers are very choice in their way 
with a pale yellow blotch at the base. 
Pentstemon glaber. —There are several Pent- 
stemons that are of a highly ornamental character 
independently of the species which has been taken 
in hand by the florist. P. glaber is one of them, and 
has ovate or ovate lanceolate, slightly glaucous 
leaves. The flowers are large, somewhat inflated, 
and of various shades of colour if raised from seeds, 
such as pink, purple, and various shades of blue. 
They are produced in a long, terminal, one-sided 
thyrse, that is in cymose clusters, densely arranged 
along the main axis. It is therefore of a showy 
character and well worthy of attention being paid to 
its improvement. 
Veronica Teucrium latifolia. —This variety 
differs from the type in its broader, ovate leaves, and 
more robust, erect habit. The flowers are abundantly 
produced in long racemes in the axils of the upper 
leaves of the stems, which grow to a height of 12 in. 
to 18 in., according to the character of the soil and 
its moistness. They are also of good size for a 
Veronica, and bright blue with darker veins. 
Lathyrus grandiflorus. —Of the tall growing 
sorts of Lathyrus, that under notice is amongst the 
first to come into bloom, and is noticeable on 
account of the great size of its flowers, which are 
produced in pairs, not in racemes like those of the 
better known Everlasting Pea. The standard is of a 
soft rose, much intensified at the base, while the 
wings are crimson. The phnt may be increased by 
division of the stools, or better and more extensively 
from seeds. 
Campanula persic.efolia maxima. —The varieties 
of Peach-leaved Bell flower are now pretty numerous, 
the difference being chiefly in the size and colour of 
the flowers, by being single or double, or having the 
calyx enlarged and coloured like the corolla. The 
stems of the variety under notice grow 2 ft. or 3 ft. 
high, and the blue flowers are of great size. It may 
simply be looked upon as a giant form, and is there¬ 
fore deserving of a prominent position in the border. 
Senecio macrophyllus. —The general appearance 
of this bold and striking species does not remind one 
of its congeners, the Ragworts. The glaucous leaves 
are ovate or heart-shaped suddenly contracted at the 
base and decurrent upon the petiole, and at a short 
distance reminding one more of a Cauliflower or 
Broccoli rather than a Ragwort. The flowers are 
yellow and produced in a terminal thyrse on stems 
2 ft. to 3 ft. high. It may be increased by the separa¬ 
tion of the crowns. The rootstock should not, how¬ 
ever, be disturbed oftener than can be helped, 
especially if a vigorous growth is desired. 
Geum chiloense grandiflorum —As the latter 
name would suggest, this variety is notable for the 
size of the flowers, which are twice as large as those 
of the type, semi-double, and of a bright scarlet. 
Of all the cultivated forms of Geum, none are more 
popular or showy than those of G. chiloense with its 
several varieties, single and double, which keep on 
flowering all the summer till late in autumn, pro¬ 
vided the plant is in a soil and position favourable to 
good growth. 
Gilenia trifoliata. —This plant is closely allied 
to the herbaceous Spiraeas, but the petals are very 
much longer and not so regularly disposed. The red 
stems aie slender, bearing thinly disposed leaves of 
three leaflets, and generally grow about 2 ft. high, so 
that the plant should be placed in the second or 
third line of the border. 
Centaurea dealbata. —The foliage of this 
Centaury is once or twice divided in a pinnate 
manner, and, in addition to this, is white on the under 
surface. The heads are of large size, bright rose- 
purple, and produced on stems just arising above the 
foliage. The plant is well fitted for border culture, 
or for placing on the elevated parts of a rockery. 
Increase is obtained by seeds or by division 
Verbascum phceniceum. —The bulk of the species 
of Mullein in gardens have yellow flowers, but that 
under notice is exceptional in having violet, purple, 
rose, pink, cream, mauve, or white flowers ; in fact, 
seedlings are very variable, and when once this 
strain is obtained, almost any of the above 
mentioned, as well as other shades, may be obtained 
by seed. Cultivators would do well to select the 
more distinct types, preserve them under names, and 
so propagate by division. Seed-sowing and selection 
could also be continued. 
-- 
Gardening Miscellany. 
Oc •‘'OD 
PHILADELPHUS MICROPHYLLUS. 
The dwarf habit, the densely branched stems, and 
the small ovate leaves of this plant show it to be the 
tiniest and most distinct of all the Mock Oranges. 
The flowers are large in proportion to the other parts 
of the shrub, pure white, and deliciously fragrant; 
there are four oblong petals. Each shoot terminates 
in a single flower, but owing to the numerous, slender 
twigs, given off from the main upright stems, they 
appear to be produced in sprays. Those who take 
delight in flowering shrubs should add this one to 
their collections. It is a native of New Mexico, but 
appears to be hardy in this country, in the more 
southern portion at least. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM ZAWADSKII. 
The hardy species of Chrysanthemum of similar 
habit to our native C. Leucanthemum are more 
numerous than one would imagine ; and considering 
that Marguerites are so popular, a number of these 
hardy Chrysanthemums might well be grown to fur¬ 
nish cut flowers. The bulk of the leaves are 
confined to the base of the stems, and are also 
thickly set on the barren shoots. All these are 
ovate, twice divided, and of a light green. The stem 
leaves are more thinly scattered, and three-lobed to 
five-lobed, the uppermost ones being small and 
trifid only at the apex. The flowers are of good 
average size, freely produced, and have white rays 
with a yellow disc. The whole plant grows only 
about a foot in height. 
PHORMIUM TENAX 
Out of doors in this country the New Zealand Elax 
usually produces leaves 2 ft. to 3 ft. long, with a 
flower' stem proportionately higher, but under the 
more favourable conditions of a stove or greenhouse 
they attain much finer dimensions. A specimen in a 
small conservatory at 5, Dorset Gardens, Brighton, 
is now in bloom. The leaves are 8 ft. long, and the 
flower stalk about 10J ft long. Some of the glass of 
the roof had to be taken out to allow it to complete 
its growth. The flowers are i-J in. to 2 in. long, 
dull orange red, with crimson projecting and curved 
filaments, with an abundance of oranged coloured 
pollen. The species has flowered several times in 
this country although by no means common, and some 
have even ripened seeds in the open air as far north 
at least as the suburbs of London. It is regrettable 
that the plant is not more hardy in our climate, for 
it gives a sub-tropical aspect to the garden. Plenty 
of moisture is necessary for its vigorous development, 
and from that point of view is sometimes planted on 
the margins of streams and ponds with fine effect. 
FABIAN A IMBRICATA. 
For walls as well as pot culture I can recommend 
this fine old plant. In a sheltered nook trained 
against a wall in Messrs. Laird & Sinclair's nursery, 
Monefeith, N.B., is a fine specimen 8 ft. high, cover¬ 
ing about the same in width, and literally covered 
with its snow-white Erica-like flowers. I have 
known this plant and watched its progress for many 
years, and it stands the climate well as far north as 
this district. It is a charming plant as seen here.— 
Rusticus. 
MIMULUS CUPREUS PRINCE BISMARK. 
By some botanists this is considered a variety of the 
Common Monkey Flower (M. luteus), and, whether 
that is the case or not, it is very distinct for gaxden 
purposes. The ovate leaves are relatively of small 
size and of a rich dark green colour. The flowers of 
the type are of a coppery-orange, and produced in 
more or less abundance from early summer on¬ 
wards, dependent upon the richness and moistness of 
the soil in which it is growing. Keeping off the seed 
pods would probably prolong the flowering season, 
and plenty of moisture would encourage growth. 
The variety to which the name Prince Bismark is 
given has rich crimson flowers much about the same 
size as those of the type when well grown. A small 
bed of it in the flower garden would be very effective. 
Messrs. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, had a Certificate 
for it last year. 
MYOSOTIS RECKSTEINERI 
In general appearance this looks like a miniature 
form of M. palustris, the true Forget-me-not. It is a 
native of mountainous regions on the continent, and 
is therefore well adapted for planting on moist situa¬ 
tions of the rockwork. The leaves are of a light 
green, like those of M. palustris or M. lingulata, and 
lie close on the ground, w'hile the flower stems rise 
only about 1 in. to ij in. above it. 
GENISTA TINCTORIA HUMIFU3A 
The typical form of this British wilding generally 
grows about a foot in height in a state of nature and 
stands erect. Several much taller forms coming 
from different countries hardly seem to differ except 
in stature. The variety under notice has short, 
procumbent stems spreading upon the ground as the 
varietal name implies, and merely elevating its flower 
stalks above the green mass. The plant in all its 
forms is well adapted for cultivation on the rockery, 
but that under notice is hardly suited for garden 
purposes in any other way. It thus gets elevated 
above the general surroundings, and its bright yellow 
flow'ers are brought more directly under the eye. All 
superfluous moisture can run away, leaving the plant 
dry, while the deeply penetrating roots are able to 
search deeply for it amongst the rocks. This 
particular form has not yet become very common, 
but we noted it with Messrs. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill. 
LINARIA PILOSA. 
The trailing or procumbent stems and the peduncles 
of the flowers of this Toad Flax are pilose ; hence 
the specific name. The flow'ers are purple with a 
yellovv and white palrte, and on the whole resemble 
those of L. pallida, but are slightly smaller, being 
intermediate between those of the latter and L. 
Cymbalaria. As may be gathered from this 
description, it is well suited for planting on rock- 
work, where it may ramble about amongst the stones. 
It has been flowering for some time past with Messrs. 
J. Laing & Sons, Forest Hill. 
PEACOCK POPPY. 
As a rule when Poppies are blotched, the dark 
colouring is confined to the base or forms a dark 
blotch in a central position at the base: but in 
Papaver pavoninum there is a departure from the 
usual arrangement. The petals are scarlet with a 
black horse-shoe shaped band at some distance 
above the base ; inside of this band the ground 
colour deepens to an intense red, with a small purple 
blotch at the very base. The leaves are twice 
divided with narrow segments, and the stems are 
about 18 in. high. The calyx is curiously bristly : 
and altogether this is so striking a Poppy that it 
might well be taken in hand by the florist. It is a 
native of Central Asia including Afghanistan. 
MITRARIA COCCINEA. 
This grand old plant is much neglected and not 
often seen, but in the conservatory at Balmedie. 
near Aberdeen, I recently saw r a very fine plant 
trained up the roof. It is w'ell adapted for this 
purpose, and has intensely brilliant scarlet flowers, 
which show to great advantage. The plant referred 
to is in robust health, showing a great number of 
buds as w'ell as fully developed flowers, and will 
remain in perfection for a very long time. Let me 
advise those who are interested ki the growing of 
good greenhouse plants to try it.— Rusticus. 
