100 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 14, 1898. 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
The Golden Rods. 
Several of the species of Solidago or Golden Rod 
are deserving of more attention than they have 
received of late years. They bloom in autumn and 
are contemporaneous with the Michaelmas Daisies 
or perennial Asters. A large number of them are 
slightly earlier than the bulk of the Asters, so that 
in ordinary seasons they may be described as at 
their best in September, while the Asters are in their 
heyday in October; but species belonging to both 
genera bloom before either of those months and 
others bloom later. Their profusion of yellow 
flowers produces a distinct effect in the herbaceous 
and shrubbery borders, when grown in any quantity 
at a time when hardy herbaceous flowers are getting 
scarce. They are of the easiest propagation by 
division, and they should be properly staked in the 
case of those species requiring it, as they amply 
repay the small amount of attention they require. 
Solidago canadensis.— This is at once the oldest 
introduction and the best of the early kinds to 
bloom. It flowers in August and September, 
varying in height, according to circumstances, 
from 3 ft. to 6 ft., and producing large panicles 
of yellow flowers on one-sided drooping sprays 
of considerable beauty. It has long been a feature 
of old-fashioned and cottage gardens, where it is 
certainly very conspicuous. 
S. JUNCEA.— This also is an early species, about 
2 ft. to 3 ft. high, bearing large, corymbose panicles 
of small bright yellow flowers. The leaves are 
large for the genus, but all the large ones are con¬ 
fined to the base of the stems. 
S. Drummondi.— The stems of this species vary 
from I ft. to 3jft. in height, and being pyramidally 
branched in the upper half, with long, ascending, 
and slender branches, they are very graceful. The 
small golden-yellow flowers are slightly fragrant. 
S. Booth. —In this instance the branches of the 
panicle are long, slender, and one-sided, but pro¬ 
ducing a mass of bloom almost on one level, on the 
top of stems about 3jft. high. It is very con¬ 
spicuous and graceful. The flowers are fragrant, 
though not strong. 
S. MissouRiENSis. —The leaves of this species are 
moderately large, but slender on the flowering shoots. 
The stems are 2 ft. to 2jft. high, with long, erect 
branches, and slender, spreading sprays of golden- 
yellow flowers on the top. 
S. L.4NCE0LATA.— This species is sometimes 
termed the Grass-leaved Golden Rod from the fact 
of their being long and narrowly lanceolate. The 
stems attain a height of 3 ft. to 3J ft , and are much 
branched, forming a corymbose, level-topped mass. 
The flowers are produced in small, flat clusters, and 
have the peculiarity of smelling like sour milk. 
S. SEROTiNA.— -The specific name indicates that 
this is a late flowering species, but it keeps on from 
August to October. The stems grow about 3 ft. 
high, and their tips as v ell as the spreading branches 
are slender, bearing small, deep golden-yellow 
flowers that have the fragrance of Heather. 
S. Shortii. —In gardens this usually gets a high 
name, but although graceful and pretty, we should 
select any of the above in preference to it. It is 
dwarf, however, with stems about 18 in. high, with 
thinly disposed, slender, arching branches, bearing 
small, thinly disposed golden-yellow flowers, that 
smell of Heather. 
S. ULMiFOLiA.— The stems of this species attain a 
height of 4 ft., with short, ascending branches, arch¬ 
ing at the tip, and bearing densely arranged, small, 
golden-yellow flowers. The general aspect of the 
plant recalls S. Drummondi, but it flowers earlier, 
and is not quite so showy. The flowers smell of 
Heather. 
S. RUGOSA.— The leaves of this species are more 
decidedly wrinkled than in the case of S. ulmifolia, 
and the stems grow 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, bearing ascend¬ 
ing branches, and long or short sprays of bright 
yellow flowers that smell of Heather. 
S. NEGLECTA.— The Stems of this species only 
attain a height of 2 ft., and they are densely leafy, 
almost to the very top, so that they obscure the 
effect of the spreading branches of flowers. The 
latter have a distant odour of wild honey, attracting 
busy swarms of both hive and humble-bees, while 
the mischievous wasp employs its time in annoying 
both. 
S. ELLIPTICA.— In height, habit, and flowers, this 
has a close resemblance to S. neglecta, but if any¬ 
thing, it is the more elegant of the two. It is equally 
a favourite with bees. 
S. LiTHOSPERMiFOLiA. —The stems of this species 
attain a height of ■.4 ft., and have large leaves, with 
panicles of ascending branches of yellow flowers. 
Like the previous two, it has fragrant flowers attract¬ 
ing busy swarms of bees. 
Those kinds that do not attract bees, if fragrant at 
all are attended by lively swarms of hawkflies, and 
all that are attended by insects of any kind constitute 
a happy hunting ground for the insectivorous wasp. 
The most useful of all the above kinds for decorative 
purposes in herbaceous borders and shrubberies are 
S. canadensis, S. Drummondi, S. Bootii, S. juncea, 
S. missouriensis, S. serotina, and S. Shortii. 
- .mi. - 
BUCCLEUCH NURSERIES, HAWICK. 
Being in Hawick a couple of days recently I took 
the opportunity of visiting these nurseries, which 
are now so celebrated for the extensive collection of 
florists’ flowers and hardy herbaceous plants, etc. 
I was particularly struck with the large area planted 
with Hollyhocks, which were entirely free from 
fly, fungus, or red spider, and it was from this 
plantation that the grand lot of spikes (100 in 
number) was cut which was exhibited at Earl’s 
Court and the Drill Hall about the second week in 
August. At the Drill Hall a Silver Medal was 
deservedly awarded to Mr. Forbes, and at Earl’s 
Court a Silver-gilt Medal. No wonder that the 
Press and gardening papers generally eulogised this 
magnificent collection. At the time of my visit 
thousands of healthy cuttings were being propa¬ 
gated, and intending purchasers of this now scarce 
ornamental and maj estic summer-flowering plant 
may thoroughly depend upon obtaining, at the proper 
season, plants healthy and free from fungus at the 
Buccleuch Nurseries. In close proximity to these 
Hollyhocks was one of the finest sights I ever 
beheld, consisting of some 4,000 East Lothian 
Stocks, in six distinct sorts, which were in full bloom 
and had been so since June. The enormous quan¬ 
tity of seed Mr. Forbes sends to various parts of 
the kingdom is a proof that the strain is Ai. 
Another noticeable feature was the large breadth 
of tuberous Begonias, of every shade of colour, 
both double and single, and which presented as fine 
an appearance in this northern part of the country 
as they could possibly have done in the sunny south. 
Violas are also grown here most extensively. All 
the very best and tested varieties are cultivated, and 
Carnations, Picotees, Polyanthus, Auriculas, etc., 
can be counted by the thousand. Altogether, the 
far-famed Buccleuch Nurseries are well worth a 
visit. 
Monteviot. 
While at Hawick I had an opportunity also of pay¬ 
ing a brief visit to Monteviot. A splendid drive 
down the side of the Teviot brings one to Monteviot, 
the charming seat of the Marquis of Lothian, and 
through the kindness of Mr. Page, the much- 
esteemed head gardener, I had the privilege of an 
inspection of the lovely extensive mixed flower 
garden and lawn gently sloping down to the river. 
The turf, of emerald green and almost like velvet, 
was delightful, both to look at and to walk upon. 
Two long borders on either side of a grass path 
were particularly attractive. These were arranged 
Vandyke fashion, and planted alternately with 
Cerastium tomentosum and a dark-leaved Oxalis, 
while the background was filled in with herbaceous 
and summer-flowering plants indiscriminately. 
The most effective amongst these were Gladioli, 
Calceolaria amplexicaulis (that grand old plant). 
Verbena venosa. Anemones, etc. Large beds of 
Anemone japonica and A. japonica alba were also in 
full bloom. Another bed I particularly admired was 
planted with Lobelia cardinalis, var. Queen Victoria, 
from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, on a groundwork of Croft- 
house seedling Viola (pure white). This formed one 
of the most effective beds I ever beheld. Tuberous 
Begonias were also extensively planted, and flower¬ 
ing luxuriantly. The dwarf Tropaeoleum Vesuvius, 
which is perhaps the finest of all the dwarf bedding 
Tropaeoleums yet introduced, was also most abun¬ 
dant. Clumps of Clematis of different shades, with 
here and there beds of dwarf shrubs and hardy 
Heaths, added increased interest to the effect. 
In suitable positions were some noble specimens 
of ornamental trees, including Abies nobilis, A. 
Nordmanniana, A. Pinsapo, Pseudotsuga Douglassi, 
and Picea Menziesii, etc. Altogether this variety 
flower garden could not but have pleased the most 
fastidious. Unfortunately the time at my disposal 
would not permit me to do anything like justice to 
this picturesque and interesting garden. If any of 
your subscribers should be in the neighbourhood of 
Monteviot I am quite sure a visit would well repay 
them, and they will find Mr. Page most attentive 
and obliging.— Jno. Burn, Leicester. 
- .im, - 
CHRYSANTHEMUM NOTES. 
Forest Hill. 
It is early to say what the Chrysanthemums will be 
like this year, but they promise well. The crown 
buds in many cases are early, but where they have 
been removed and the terminals as they are called 
allowed to come on they will probably go by the 
calendar and not the season. The cooler weather is 
now making them come on slowly. About 1,700 are 
grown in the nursery of Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, 
Forest Hill. Those that came into bloom early 
were taken indoors some time ago and are now 
giving a foretaste of what is to come. Bouquet des 
Dames bears globular blooms of great compactness, 
and pure white. Comte de Germiny is another that 
may be reckoned amongst the early kinds. Of 
comparatively recent introduction, W. H. Lincoln 
still maintains its reputation for early work. It is 
also suitable or at its best as a midseason variety 
The rich golden-yellow hue of its incurved florets 
has a telling effect. The early flowers of Mon. R. 
Bahuant are like those of an incurved Japanese sort 
rather than a truly incurved one. The early blooms 
are, however, of wonderful size, though not very 
highly coloured. Annie Clibran or the pink 
Madamoiselle Lacroix is in its usual character. A 
rich crimson-purple Japanese variety with rosy- 
purple reverse is M. Ulrich Brunner. C. Wagstaff 
is a pinkish-white variety belonging to the same 
class. The ivory-white and broad-petalled blooms 
of Miss Annie Hartzhorne are very choice. Gorgeous 
is a bright yellow Japanese sort. Very different 
from either of the above is M. Harry Laing, with 
long, slender, tubular florets, open at the very apex 
only. The outer face is pink, and the inner one as 
seen at the ape.x is several shades darker. 
Boston House. 
The Chrysanthemums at Boston House, Brentford, 
under the able charge of Mr. Jefferies, have been 
housed, so that whatever the weather may be they 
are safe. They are grown in various ways, and 
amongst those grown in the exhibition style with 
three to four blooms on a plant, several are now in 
bloom. Mon. R. Bahuant is notable for the size of 
its flowers and their deep colour. One of the most 
attactive at present is Wm* Holmes, the rich crim¬ 
son colour of which is very fine. Cesare Costa is a 
showy Japanese variety with deep crimson florets 
and a bronzy-yellow reverse. Amongst the plumy 
or hairy race Louis Boehmer and Mr. H. Ballantine 
are now in bloom. The latter is yellow and slightly 
tinted with bronze at certain stages. The buds of 
the others are large and promising. A quantity was 
cut back and then allowed to come on without 
check, and they have formed much branched bushes 
of medium height, and are now bristling with flower 
buds. They are intended for cut flowers, and for 
that purpose they will amply repay the small amount 
of trouble they have cost. Late struck cuttings, 
including the useful and pure white Snowball, are 
now 18 in. to 2 ft. high. They are grown in 48-size 
pots, and will be useful in various ways. 
A fancy method of treatment has been adopted 
here with several. They consist of standards 3 ft. 
to 3J ft. high of several kinds, such as Peter the 
Great, G. Glenny, and Mrs. G. Rundle, each grafted 
with several other kinds. The cuttings were struck 
in November and grown in a frame till they attained 
the required height, then stopped, and after having 
produced several shoots were grafted with six or 
seven sorts each. When the grafts were put on 
they were laid down upon their sides in a frame and 
kept close till a union was formed. All have now 
good bushy heads and are already showing their 
flower buds, which, when expanded, will be objects 
of curiosity, considering the number of colours that 
will appear, all deriving their sustenance from one 
stem. 
Chrysanthemums and their Culture. By Edwin 
Molyneux. Sixth Edition. By far the best practical work yet 
written on this subject. Price, is.; post free, is. 2d. Publisher, 
Gardening World, i, Clement’s Inn, Strand, London W.C. 
