12 
September 7, 1895. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
to be raised was Adonis obtained from an orange- 
scarlet, tuberous sort crossed with John Heal which 
bears no female flowers. This variety is a much 
stronger grower, bearing long cymes of larger flowers 
of a lovely shade of rose. Like John Heal and 
Winter Gem it produces male flowers only, and can 
simply be used as a pollen parent. Adonis is 
perpetuated by cuttings, but Winter Gem (see 
illustration) by division, as the habit is so dwarf 
that cuttings can seldom be obtained. The latter 
was raised from B. socotrana, crossed with a 
crimson-scarlet, tuberous variety, which explains its 
dwarf character; the leaves are of much darker 
green than the seed parent, the early ones being 
peltate and the later ones reniform. All of the 
above are vigorous and healthy, while Winter Gem is 
the latest to flower of the three. 
Since the above were sent out, other acquisitions 
have been made in this section, including a lovely 
variety named Mrs. Heal which was raised from a 
rose-coloured tuberous Begonia crossed with B. 
socotrana. The flowers are of a charming carmine- 
rose and as large as those of a medium-sized 
tuberous variety. It is a vigorous grower, compact 
in habit like most of the race, flowers very freely, and 
has dark green foliage similar to the tuberous race 
generally. Several double and semi-double varieties 
have been obtained from the same cross, and have 
the graceful habit of John Heal with rosy-carmine 
flowers i in. to in. in diameter. They are truly 
winter-flowering sorts for they are only yet making 
their growth. Several others not yet proved have 
been raised, but of which we shall probably hear 
more of anon. B. socotrana starts into growth 
about the end of June or the beginning of July. For 
many years after its introduction, B. Froebeli 
proved very refractory, and refused to hybridise 
with any other species; but in 1888, the skilful 
hybridist Mr. Heal—one of Messrs. Veitch’s depart¬ 
mental foremen—succeeded in raising several hybrids 
which flowered in 1889 and 1890 but proved of no 
commercial value. As another instance of the 
activity and persevering nature of the famous 
Chelsea firm in exploring fresh fields for the 
purpose of raising something of permanent utility 
and beauty, w T e may mention that some of the 
tuberous varieties were crossed with Begonia 
geranioides, and gave rise to seedlings with rose, 
yellow, orange and other hues. The flowers were 
intermediate in size between those of the parents; 
but they had faults, inasmuch as they dropped their 
blooms too quickly, thus rendering them of no 
commercial value. Reverse crosses were made with 
somewhat similar results. For the use of the 
accompanying illustrations we are indebted to Messrs. 
Veitch & Sons. 
-- 
HAMPTON COURT. 
It is obvious to anyone who utilises the faculty 
of observation that tuberous Begonias are being 
more and more extensively employed for the purpose 
of bedding in the gardens at Hampton Court than 
they have been hitherto. When the bedding out of 
this class of plants first came in vogue the small- 
flowered sorts were considered the only ones fit for the 
purpose. They are still represented here by B. 
worthiana, two large beds of which are very effective 
at the present time, independently of their use as 
edgings and otherwise in several other and smaller 
beds. In former years, when whole beds were filled 
with it, nothing could be seen but leaves, and those 
beds were practically a failure as far as effect was 
concerned. This year the plants have been set at 
some distance apart on a groundwork of Herniaria, 
and the nearer one approaches these beds the more 
effective they become, because the eye can take in 
-the bulk of the flowers at a glance, and the beds 
certainly do not give the impression of being thin. 
At a distance, however, they become comparatively 
ineffective, because the flowers of this particular 
variety are pendulous. It has its own particular 
charm, however, and is well worthy of a place in 
bedding arrangements. 
Two beds of a brilliant scarlet variety, with large 
and erect flowers, are amongst the most effective in 
-the grounds, and make the scarlet and other Pelar¬ 
goniums, with exception of Henry Jacoby, in the 
vicinity, tame by comparison. The Pelargoniums 
are most effective when seen by visitors walking on 
the same level as the beds, but the Begonias become 
more and more effective as they are seen from some 
of the neighbouring terraces, so that the eye is looking 
down upon them. The plants stand about 2 ft. apart 
each way, and the intervening areas are planted with 
Viola Bluebell, a few of Bessie Clarke, and the 
variegated grey foliaged Sweet Alyssum, much to 
the advantage of all the plants. While these beds 
are possibly the most effective, another one planted 
with large specimens of a crimson variety is the most 
profusely flowered. The dry weather had evidently 
exercised a retarding effect upon the large scarlet 
sort in the early part of the season, but since the 
rain supervened all has been most wonderfully 
changed. Some beds are planted with yellow 
varieties, but, though they are growing very well, the 
flowers are not sufficiently numerous to produce any 
particular effect. 
Charming and effective also are two large beds of 
scarlet Begonias, thinly interspersed with the light- 
flowered Fuchsias, Mrs. Marshall and Rose of 
Castile. The groundwork consists of the variegated 
Sweet Alyssum and the pleasing, pale mauve Viola 
Bessie Clarke. These beds are situated on the grass 
on either side of the entrance to the Palace, and it 
would be difficult to say which style is the most 
charming—that is to say, the beds with or without 
the Fuchsias. Certainly, both styles are worthy of 
imitation in the grounds of private establishments, 
for whether it rains or shines the Begonias seem to 
maintain a masterly independence, notwithstanding 
the erratic character of our climate. A bed of 
crimson Begonias, interspersed with Grevilleas and 
India Rubber plants, and surrounded with Coleus 
fulgens, and another mingled with light Fuchsias, 
are also noteworthy .—Fiat lux. 
-- 
IN AMERICA. 
It is much to be regretted that the Begonia is not 
nearly so popular in this country as it -was a few years 
ago, yet such is the case, and during this last season 
the sale of tubers has fallen away considerably, 
although the planting has extended over a larger area 
than ever, and an improvement in the quality of bloom 
is noticed everywhere ; they are successfully grown. 
Strains that have originated in this country are fully 
equal to those of European origin, in fact, sometimes 
they appear even better; doubles seem if possible 
more floriferous and run a good deal into the flat or 
Camellia-shaped flowers. In California some have 
been raised that measure as much as 5J inches in 
diameter. This immense flower is the result of a 
cross between one of Californian and another of Eng¬ 
lish origin. 
Singles are also very fine, especially yellows In 
this colour, the American-raised varieties certainly 
do excel those of Europe ; and there are also some 
charming kinds in what is called shell-pink; and 
those with fimbriated edges are particularly fine. 
So much for the beautiful, now for the more 
practical. 
You ask why do I say they are not so popular as 
formerly if the strains be so good ? Alas! it is sad 
to confess it, but it has to be done ; more than half 
of those who attempt to grow the tuberous Begonia 
as a bedding plant fail. There seems but little 
doubt about it now, that the climate in many places 
is far too hot for them, and they will not do, 
despite all the attention and care intelligent men give 
them. There are a few places in the Eastern States, 
exposed to the full sun, where they are well grown, 
but these are the exception ; and there they are con¬ 
tinually being watered by means of a hose. The 
only safe position that can be recommended for 
planting is one that does not get the sun till noon, 
or, any way, partial shade at some time or other 
during the day. 
In a few places good results are obtained by 
covering the soil with sphagnum moss, which keeps 
the soil moist and cool, and saves considerable 
watering, which is quite an item. Newport, Rhode 
Island, is one place where this has been done with 
good effect; also several places on the Hudson 
River ; and we are glad to note that in both these 
fashionable sections our favourites have done better 
last summer, and again this, than they had done pre¬ 
viously. This fact alone will help to keep up the 
interest in them for some time to come. 
But here we must not omit to mention that the 
tuberous-rooted section has a strong rival in the B. 
semperflorens type. These are, nearly everywhere, 
quite reliable, and do extraordinarily well — one 
variety in particular, named Vernon, but which is 
really Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea. This is 
helped considerably this season by a white one of 
the same type. These are easily raised from seed 
and that makes them still more popular, and is 
another reason of their successful rivalry to the 
tuberous hybrids. Just here we may say that in 
shaded and select spots the Rex varieties do exceed¬ 
ingly well planted out, and when so grown are very 
pretty. 
Under glass there is great complaint of a disease 
which is possibly bacteriological ; anyhow it seems 
so in its actions, and, if it keeps on, it bids well to 
exterminate the whole stock from our greenhouses. 
The buds and flower stems become badly infested 
with “ rust,” also the lower parts oftheleaf; eventu¬ 
ally the whole plant collapses, and not a bloom 
develops, much to the disappointment of the 
grower. This disease is not in any way local or 
peculiar to any one section of the country, for I have 
observed it in districts a thousand and more miles 
apart; neither can it be set down to the ignorance of 
the gardener, for this week I have noticed more than 
thirty of as good gardeners as Britain can produce, 
all baffled and worried by it. It seems to me we 
had the same trouble in England, but milder in its 
form and easier to get over; anyhow the remedies 
there used are not effective here. 
On the other hand where the plants do well under 
glass they are marvellous, and make very large 
plants, oftentimes three to four feet through and 
covered with bloom, and this in less time than it 
takes to grow a medium-sized plant in England; but 
apart from this your cooler climate seems to suit 
them better, and consequently the plants give 
greater satisfaction .—James IF. Withers. 
-- 5 *- 
BEDDING BEGONIAS AT KEW. 
The bedding arrangements at Kew are not conducted 
on a large scale, nor do they follow the ordinary 
“ spick-and-span ” designs which are frequently met 
with in our public parks. In fact, this style of 
gardening does not find much favour here, nor is it 
desirable, for Kew is something more than a mere 
