758 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 30, 1892. 
THE HERBACEOUS BOEDER. 
Choice Plants in Flower. 
Orchis foliosa.— Usually this is not regarded as an 
ordinary herbaceous subject, but in suitably moist 
soil it would give more satisfaction than is generally 
supposed. A cool position should of course be 
selected for it, and should the natural soil be in any 
way retentive, some peat and leaf soil worked into 
it would do wonders in enabling it to retain 
sufficient moisture to sustain the plants in health 
during droughty periods. More often than other¬ 
wise O. foliosa is planted in dry situations amongst 
the roots of trees where it can only languish, under 
the supposition that shade is all that it requires. 
The leafy stems and large purple flowers are very 
effective. 
Lilium Humboldtii. —About ten or a dozen 
flowers form the usual average of this species, 
though sometimes it will produce thirty to forty in a 
broad deltoid panicle. They droop face downwards 
with revolute segments, and are reddish orange, 
variously lined or spotted with crimson. The 
lanceolate dark green leaves are borne in rather 
distant whorls along the stem. 
Liatris spicata.— Composites are often rather 
coarse in habit, but the species of Liatris are cha¬ 
racterised by their neatness. Most of the linear 
leaves of L. spicata arise near the ground and the 
stem seldom exceeds 15 in. to 18 in. in height 
although it may be less. The soft purple flowers 
are borne in a close spike and are very pretty. 
Division of the crowns may be effected in spring. 
Codonopsis ovata. —The habit of this plant is 
dwarf, compact, and neat compared with that of 
some of the other species, which are of a climbing 
nature and require support of some kind. The 
lower leaves are ovate, the upper lanceolate, and all 
of a decidely glaucous or almost grey hue. The 
flowers are deeply bell-shaped, pale lavender exter¬ 
nally and most beautifully ornamented internally. 
Near the base are two purple zones with a white one 
between them, followed by an orange and then a 
black zone in the centre. It is a native of the 
Himalayas, proves perfectly hardy here, and may be 
propagated by half-ripened cuttings and seeds. 
Lathyrus sylvestris platyphyllos.— The 
common Everlasting Pea is better known under the 
name of L. latifolius ; but whatever name be given, 
it is certainly one of the most conspicuous ornaments 
of the garden at the present time. The flowers of 
different shades of rose are produced in racemes of 
twelve to fifteen blooms, and in the greatest profusion, 
forming a succession that endures for some weeks. 
When planted in the herbaceous border proper it 
should be relegated to the back line, and have a 
branching support over which it can climb. 
Aster sibiricus. —Amongst the better known 
species, A. alpinus commences the season as far as 
the perennial Asters are concerned, and is followed 
by the somewhat taller A. sibiricus with its numerous 
large purple flowers which are in perfection now. 
The stems are about a foot in height, and branch 
freely near the top bearing a profusion of flowers. 
Spir^a lob at a.— The Queen of the Prairie, as it 
is called in its native country, North America, may 
occasionally be seen in British gardens about 4 ft. 
in height, and less often in the form that does not ex¬ 
ceed a foot in height. Different varieties or forms under 
different conditions range up to 8 ft. high. All have 
a cymose and somewhat club-shaped panicle of pink 
or rosy pink flowers similar to those of our native 
Meadow Sweet except in colour. A moist position 
should be selected for it if possible. 
Campanula rhomboidalis.— Amongst the medium 
sized Bellflowers this holds a high position as far as 
general utility is concerned. The stems grow 12 in. 
to 15 in. in height as a rule, and bear a profusion of 
large, drooping blue flowers. When established in 
the herbaceous border it is well able to take care of 
itself, and is easily propagated by division. The 
front line of the border is the best place for it, as 
support is seldom necessary. 
Morina longifolia.— The spiny leaves of this 
plant more resemble a Thistle than most of the 
members of the family to which it belongs. They 
gradually get shorter up the stem until they become 
mere bracts under the oblong head of flowers. The 
latter are white in bud, and as they expand become 
pink, and ultimately of a bright rose-red and are 
then at their best. The plant proves perfectly hardy 
even in the far north, planted in the ordinary border 
if the latter consists of light, rich and well-drained 
soil. 
Senecio K.empferi.— There are several species of 
Senecio of the section Ligularia that have a bold 
and striking appearance apart from the beauty of 
their flowers, and the species under notice comes 
under that category. The heart-shaped leaves are 
of great size and toothed along the margins, while 
the flower stems rise to a height of 2 ft. to 3J ft., 
bearing a terminal raceme of bright yellow flowers. 
It would therefore prove a bold object for the second 
or third line of a border. 
Chrysanthemum corymbosum.— If the genus 
Pyrethrum were to be retained this plant would take 
its place under that name. Its deeply and finely 
cut leaves closely resemble those of P. roseum, now 
well-known from the great number of single and 
double varieties in cultivation. The stems attain a 
height of two feet and terminate in a corymb of 
numerous heads of moderate size, with white rays, 
but very effective in the aggregate even at a 
distance. 
- -*► - 
TRENTHAM FLOWER 
SHOW. 
The Trentham and Hanford Horticultural Society 
held its fifth annual exhibition on the 21st inst., in 
the world-renowned gardens of Trentham, and being 
favoured by glorious weather it was horticulturally 
and financially an unqualified success. It was the 
first show of the series that we have enjoyed the 
pleasure of seeing, and it was a revelation to us. 
With many others we had almost come to believe 
that a provincial flower show without other attrac¬ 
tions than music can hardly now be made to pay, 
yet here was proof in abundance that given such 
favourable local circumstances as a suitable site, and 
a large population within easy reach, a “'live” 
committee can still get together such purely horti¬ 
cultural attractions as will draw the public in 
sufficiently large numbers to leave a handsome 
surplus every year when all expenses are paid ; and 
unless a good profit is made to keep the committee 
in heart and abreast of the times, but little good is 
done towards advancing horticulture. 
The Trentham executive has no subscription list 
to help them along, they depend entirely upon the 
" gate ” and special prizes for their funds, but they 
are fortunate in having the hearty support of the 
Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, and the Marquis 
of Stafford; in having magnificent surroundings to 
their show ground, than which there are none finer 
to be seen anywhere; in having a hard-working and 
resourceful secretary in Mr. John Taylor; and in 
having on the committee such an enthusiast as the 
Duke’s gardener, Mr. Peter Blair, who knowing what 
visitors want and exhibitors can do applies his know¬ 
ledge to the management of the society’s business 
with judgment and effect. , 
The society so far from offering prizes for a medley 
of garden subjects, rather confines itself to a few 
specialities, which are groups arranged for effect, 
Roses, fruit, and cut flowers, the competitions for 
which are all open ; and cottage garden produce, 
such as fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and by giving 
liberal prizes the plan works remarkably well. Thus 
the class for a group occupying space not exceeding 
300 square feet, the prizes in which were—1st, £25 ; 
2nd,/16 ; 3rd, /12; and 4th, £g, brought out five 
competitors, and it is not too much to say that five 
such groups were never seen together at any exhibi¬ 
tion before. They were an exhibition in themselves, 
and an object lesson in grouping of rare excellence. 
Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, made his first public 
appearance as an exhibitor in this line, and secured 
the premier award with a group in which Orchids 
formed a conspicuous part, and which was made up 
with a smaller quantity of materials than the others, 
a point to which good j udges attach much importance, 
other points being equal. Next came Mr. McIntyre, 
gardener to Mrs. Gurney Pease, Darlington ; 
Mr. J. Edmunds, gardener to the Duke of St. Albans, 
Brestwood ; and Mr. A. Webb, gardener to J. H. 
Manners Sutton, Esq., Kelham Hall, Newark, in the 
order named ; and the fifth competitor, deserving of 
honourable mention here, was Mr. Currie, of Salis¬ 
bury. 
The Rose classes suffered greatly in point of 
numbers owing to the excessive rainfall of the 
previous Tuesday, which seems to have had a worse 
effect on Teas and Noisettes than on the H.P.’s, for 
of the latter the blooms staged could scarcely have 
been excelled for cleanness, size, and brilliancy of 
colour. In the classes for 48 and 36 single blooms 
respectively the awards went in the order named to 
Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bedale ; Messrs. Perkins 
& Sons, Coventry ; and Mr. B. R. Cant, Colchester. 
For 24 Messrs. Plarkness & Sons were first, and 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, second. ; and the last-named 
firm were first with 12 single blooms of any dark 
variety showing the little known Jean d’Liliere, one 
of the varieties sent out by the late Mr. Henry 
Bennett. In the corresponding class for light 
varieties Messrs. Harkness were first, with Mrs. 
John Laing; and Messrs. Dicksons, Limited, 
Chester, second, with Merveille de Lyon ; and with 
a similar number of any other colour Mr. Fretting- 
ham, of Beeston, came in first, with Marie Baumann; 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, second, with A. K. Williams; 
and Messrs. Dicksons, Limited, third, with Marie 
Baumann. The best epergne or basket of Poses 
came from Messrs. Jenkinson & Sons, who had also 
the best dozen bunches of cut, stove, and green¬ 
house flowers; and the best ball and bridal 
bouquets in very strong classes. 
The display of fruit was remarkably good, both as 
regards extent and quality, in fact, the finest this 
season has yet produced, and will be very hard to 
beat, the Grape classes especially. For a collection of 
nine dishes of fruit there was a very spirited com¬ 
petition, and Mr. Mclndoe, Hutton Hall, Guis- 
borough, would have been placed first but for a mis¬ 
interpretation of the schedule. He took, however, 
Messrs. Dickson, Brown & Tait’s special prize for 
the best exhibit of fruit in the show, and so got a 
little consolation. The 1st prize went to Mr. Good- 
acre, Elvaston, who had a capital lot consisting of 
Black Hamburgh and Foster’s Seedling Grapes, Sir 
J. Paxton Strawberries, Grosse Mignonne Peaches, 
Brown Turkey Figs, Countess Melon, Elruge Nec¬ 
tarines, Queen Pine and Black Circassian Cherries. 
Mr. Dawes, Temple Newsham, was a good 2nd, and 
Mr. Bannerman, Blithefield, Rugeley, 3rd. Thelast- 
named exhibitor was isl with six dishes, having in 
his collection the best finished three bunches of 
Duke of Buccleuch we have seen for many a day. 
Mr. W. Elphinstone, Shipley Hall, Derby, was a 
near 2nd, showing amongst others a specially fine 
dish of James Veitch Strawberries; Mr. Mclndoe 
was 3rd. In a very fine competition with four 
bunches of Grapes, two distinct varieties, Mr. Cra¬ 
ven, gardener to J. Grant Morris, Esq., was 1st, with 
admirably finished Black Hamburgh and Madresfield 
Court; Mr. G. Allsopp, gardener to Lord Hotham, 
2nd, with Muscat of Alexandria and Buckland Sweet¬ 
water ; and Mr. W. Elphinstone, 3rd, with Black 
Hamburgh and Madresfield Court. The best Black 
Hamburghs came from Mr. McVinish, gardener to 
N. E. Curzon, Esq. ; the best black, any other 
variety (Madresfield Court) from Mr. Wilks, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Meakin ; the best Muscats from Mr. 
W. Elphinstone ; and the best white, any other 
variety (Foster’s Seedling) from Mr. Bannerman. 
In other competitions, Mr. McIntyre was 1st Tor a 
green-fleshed Melon ; and Mr. B. Fitzherbert for the 
best scarlet-fleshed ; Mr. McVinish had the best 
Peaches ; Mr. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst, the best Nec¬ 
tarines ; Mr. Elphinstone the best Strawberries ; 
Mr. J. Hudson, Gunnersbury House, the best 
Cherries; and Mr. Allsopp the best Tomatos. The 
special prize given by Mr. W. Colchester for a dozen 
Peaches, two varieties, was won by Mr. W. Elphin¬ 
stone. 
Vegetables were also well and extensively shown, 
and the local Cottagers' Section also brought out a 
very fine lot of produce. The Society’s prizes for 
a collection went to Mr. Wilkins, Inwood House, 
Blandford; Mr. Crawford, Coddington Hall, 
Newark ; and Mr. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst, Esher, in 
the order named. Messrs. E. Webb & Son’s special 
prizes were taken by Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Wilks, and 
Mr. Mclndoe ; and those given by Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons went to Mr. Wilkins, Mr. B. bitzherbert and 
Mr. Mclndoe. 
Silver Medals were awarded to Mr. Jennings, 
gardener to Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., for a 
magnificent group of pink and white Malmaison Car¬ 
nations ; to Mr. Baison, of Wolverhampton, for 
mushroom spawn ; to Mrs. Hodgkinson, of Withing- 
ton, for skeletonised leaves ; to Messrs. W. Cutbush 
& Son, of London, and Messrs. Hewitt, of Solihull, 
for flowers. 
