June 27, 1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
689 
former are generically distinct. A Pelargonium is, 
of course, a Geranium, in the same sense that a 
mare is a horse ; but while there is only a sexual 
difference in the animal case, there is much more in 
the vegetable one. 
It is, then, manifestly inaccurate to dub a Pelar¬ 
gonium a Geranium, because the latter name is 
already appropriated by a different genus of plants. 
There is the genus Pelargonium, and there is the 
genus Geranium, which are not only botanically 
distinct, but horticulturally also. The Geraniums 
are, for the most part, hardy herbaceous plants, and 
possess flowers, the petals of which are more or less 
regular in size and shape; whereas Pelargoniums 
are mostly natives of the Cape, are shrubs or sub¬ 
shrubs, and have flowers, the parts of which are as 
irregular as Pansy blooms. Moreover, apart from 
the foliage, the way the flowers are produced consti¬ 
tute a further difference, for while the infloresence of 
the Geranium is more or less of a cymose character, 
that of the Pelargonium is in the form of an umbel. 
There are, of course, other technical distinctions 
between them; but I think enough has been said to 
show that more discrimination concerning their 
names ought to be observed than is generally the 
case. Messrs. Cannell & Sons used to call Pelar¬ 
goniums by their “ vulgar ” name ; but I am pleased 
to notice that in recent issues of their interesting 
catalogues they adopt the more correct one, thus 
placing themselves not only in the van of progress, 
but in accord with strict scientific accuracy and 
modern demands.— C. B. G., Acton, W, 
--J-- 
HEUCHERA SANGUINEA SPLENDENS. 
This is one of the most showy of hardy perennials 
the herbaceous garden can possess, and of recent 
introduction from Mexico, belonging to the natural 
order Saxifragaceae. Many are the complaints as to 
its being half-hardy, and a shy flowerer, etc. In the 
nurseries of Messrs. Barr & Son, Long Ditton, two 
large beds of it may be seen (at the time of writing 
June 13th) flowering most freely, every clump pro¬ 
ducing from four to ten beautiful Saxifraga like 
spikes of bright coral-red flowers from 9 in. to 12 in. 
above close tufts of circular, lobed, pubescent leaves 
of a beautiful light green (see illustration). The 
beds are exposed to the sun’s rays all day, and the 
soil is mostly of a sandy nature, in which it is 
evident the plants luxuriate. Plants exposed to cold 
winds and planted in a stiff clay, are certain to fail, 
as the roots resent the cold moisture of clay sooner 
than any other soil. Seedlings are very interesting 
as to the variety of shades, but few are worth culti¬ 
vating as the flowers generally are of a pinky 
colour, a few almost approaching white. They are 
multiplied by division of the root stock, and which 
is perhaps best done in spring. This plant received 
a First-class Certificate at the Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Regent’s Park, on Wednesday, June 10th., 
when shown by Messrs. Barr & Son.— IV. L. 
-- 
TRIAL OF SWEET PEAS 
No one can judge of the perfection to which this old 
garden flower has been brought, and the number of 
existing varieties unless brought face to face with an 
extensive trial of modern types, with a few of the old 
ones to show vast difference. Such a trial has been 
accomplished on the Seed Farm or Trial Grounds of 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading. There are some¬ 
thing like 125 trials all represented by different 
names, and in the majorify of cases the varieties are 
really distinct in some respect or other; but the 
differences in many cases would require a specialist 
to distinguish them. Those mentioned below 
constitute but a small proportion of the varieties at 
Reading, but they are not only distinct but the cream 
of the lot and really deserving of cultivation. There 
are 350 rows of Sweet Peas, each 16 ft. long, and of 
a number of the standard kinds there are several 
rows of each. The warm dry weather has brought 
them on early, and the stems are short, so that the 
flowers are brought close together owing to the 
shortening of the internodes. All the varieties are 
classified into colours or shades of them, thereby 
rendering comparison a relatively easy task. All 
trials of this nature should be conducted on the same 
principle. 
Double White is a selection which has been made 
by Messrs. Sutton, and the feature of the flower is 
the frequent occurrence of two standards, which have 
the effect of greatly enlarging the flower. Queen of 
England is a well-known white variety. Sutton’s 
Giant White is larger, purer white and the notch at 
the apex of the standard has been eliminated, thus, 
giving this petal a broader and more rounded appear¬ 
ance. Emily Henderson is another grand white 
variety often bearing four flowers on a raceme. Mrs. 
Sankey is white when the blooms first expand, but 
they ultimately develop a blush tint; the pedicels of 
the flowers are also of a reddish hue. Lemon Queen 
is a large white variety tinted with blush, and 
duchess of York is blush pink. Of the above seven, 
the first four are pure white, and the other three show 
a gradual departure from it. Of the yellow varieties 
which has a rich carmine standard and blush-rose 
wings. Sutton’s Giant Crimson and White is 
another of very distinct and attractive appearance. 
The Standard is crimson and the wings are white. 
A strong and free-flowering variety is Mrs. Joseph 
Chamberlain, having white flowers, prettily marbled 
or mottled with magenta rose. Several striped 
varieties are grown here to meet the requirements of 
those who have a liking for variegated flowers. 
Handsome and shoice is Apple Blossom, with a rosy- 
purple standard and paler wings, which in the 
aggregate very much resemble Apple blossom in 
colour. Amongst pale and refined colours, Princess 
we mention Primrose Queen and Sutton’s Giant- 
flowered Primrose. The latter is the best when 
judged by the canons that determine quality in a 
Sweet Pea. The standard is square or truncate at 
the base and the notch at the apex has been 
eliminated, while Lemon Queen is defective in these 
respects, but otherwise very choice. 
Very handsome is Lady Beaconsfield, with 
primrose wings and a soft buff-rose standard. 
Giant-flowered Delicate Rose, expresses its colour 
very well, and it is both choice and floriferous. Of 
good substance is Delight, having white flowers with a 
pale rosy blotch or crest on the standard. Very 
pretty and bright is the two-coloured Duke of York, 
Beatrice is a lovely flower. The same may be said 
of Mrs. Gladstone which is a shade or two paler. 
Those who give preference to one may not want the 
other, but in a large collection there is ample room 
for both. A charming flower is Lady Penzance of a 
soft salmon-pink and of great size. 
The scarlet standard and rosy vings of Princess 
Victoria will make it long remain worthy of cultiva¬ 
tion. The large flowers and bright colours render it 
conspicuous from a distance. The rosy-carmine 
Splendour is something in the same way. Her 
Majesty has very rich rose standards and wings, and 
being very floriferous, is worthy of wide acceptance 
amongst growers. Another may be added to the 
