758 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 28, 1894. 
and wavy petals is neat in form and very promising. 
The large plantation of seedlings in the open 
ground is progressing slowly, though many of them 
have been in flower for some time. At present three 
beds of plants raised from the cuttings of the 
selected doubles of last year’s seedlings, and running 
across the whole width of the plantation, are a mass 
of bloom. The seedlings will not bear comparison 
with them, although that is the fault of their young 
state and the weather rather than the seedlings 
themselves, the cuttings being more advanced. 
Close by are some beds of double varieties 
with small flowers and suitable for bedding 
purposes. Laing’s Golden Dwarf is of bushy habit 
with small, semi-globular, yellow flowers. The 
plants of Marquis of Stafford are only yet 2 in. to 
4 in. high, with small, double scarlet flowers. Near 
by, Lafayette is making a bold show with its scarlet 
flowers, but as yet the foliage is not so fine'as in the 
last-named. Numerous other varieties are also on 
trial, to find double flowered varieties that are best 
adapted for bedding out. 
- 
HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN 
FLOWER. 
Spiraea palmata. —Amongst the herbaceous species, 
there are few, if any, that could really be considered 
finer than S. palmata for border decoration in the 
typical form, with dark buds fading to rose as they 
expand. There is a white variety, but its value 
depends chiefly upon the contrast it makes with the 
type. Species with white flowers are fairly common 
including the Meadow Sweet of wet pastures and 
river banks. The average height of it is about 2j ft. 
A damp or moist place should be selected for it. 
Campanula persicaefolia grandiflora alba.— 
While this is of comparatively recent origin, it is a 
great acquisition to the herbaceous border, because 
so easily grown, and always flowering with certainty 
in soil even of moderate quality. The plant grows 
taller and produces larger flowers, however, when 
planted in fairly good and friable soil. The pure 
white flowers are much larger than those of the 
common form. 
Campanula persicaefolia coronata alba.— 
There are two double white forms of this useful 
Bellflower, one of them having a rather confused 
arrangement of corollas—one within the other. 
The best form is that here named, as the flowers are 
as shapely and regular as a Camellia. This form is 
sometimes planted in quantity for the sake of cut 
flowers ; as a border plant it is equally valuable. 
Erigeron speciosus. Very frequently this is 
grown under the name of Stenactis speciosa, but 
there is no necessity for the use of that name. It is 
the largest and at the same time one of the most 
easily grown species, flowering regularly with great 
freedom. The stems grow about i8 in. or 2 ft. high, 
branching towards the top, and producing a succes¬ 
sion of flowers over a long period of time. They 
are soft lilac, but are conspicuous and showy on 
account of their size and number. Although an old 
border plant it has been receiving more attention 
recently as a bedding plant. Propagation is easily 
effected by division of the plant into single crowns 
if need be, with some roots to each. 
Lilium Hansoni.— When in full bloom this is a 
handsome species, attaining a height of 3 ft. to 3J ft., 
and bearing a deltoid raceme of nodding, revolute 
flowers. The latter are fleshy in character, orange 
and spotted with crimson on the lower half. During 
very dry and hot sunshine, the tips of the segments 
are liable to burn or bleach white. 
Lilium elegans alutaceum. —The stems of this 
showy Lily are remarkably dwarf, often flowering 
when they are only 6 in. to 12 in. high. In some of 
the forms of the species the flowers are solitary, but 
in this case they vary from one to ten ; they are 
erect, widely expanded, and of an orange-apricot 
shade of colour, spotted with short streaks of crimson 
on the lower half. It should be planted amongst 
Rhododendrons, where it will be partly shaded 
Thalictrum glaucum. —The back line of the 
border and the wild garden are suitable places for this 
strong growing and conspicuous plant, which grows 
from 4 ft. to 6 ft. in height, bearing a large panicle 
of flowers on the top, and which appear pale yellow 
on account of the great profusion of yellow anthers. 
Bees are fond of them and visit them in numbers. 
The leaves are two or three times pinnate, and appear 
almost leathery in character. 
Aster diplostephioides.— The stems of this 
summer flowering and beautiful species vary from 
I ft. to 3 ft. in height, and are furnished with 
spathulate, hairy leaves. The habit of the plant 
and its general appearance reminds one of a glorified 
Erigeron, Ihe flower heads are 2 in. or 3 in. in 
diameter, and have a large black disc, with long, pale- 
blue rays. 
Stachys grandiflora.— There are several species 
of Stachys belonging to the section Betonica, all 
possessing similar habits. That under notice has 
the largest flowers of any, and is sometimes called 
Betonica grandiflora. The stems usually grow 2 ft. 
high, and bear a terminal oblong head of large purple 
flowers. The leaves are heart-shaped, or the upper 
ones ovate, and all are much wrinkled. It can be 
rapidly propagated by division in autumn or spring. 
Campanula planiflora alba. —The leaves of 
this dwarf Bellflower are mostly produced in rosettes 
at the base of the stems, and are of a dark shining 
green. The name C. lucida is sometimes applied to 
the species in gardens. The stems are only about 
6 in. high, bearing a few leaves, and a cluster of 
nearly flat white flowers at the top. The typical 
form has blue flowers. The rootery is the most 
suitable place for it. 
Clematis integrifolia. —There are a few strictly 
herbaceous species with erect stems, and highly 
suitable for border culture. C. integrifolia is one of 
them, and was introduced as early as 1596, from 
Eastern Europe. The ovate-lanceolate leaves are 
quite undivided. Each stem terminates in a single 
nodding flower, consisting of four leathery blue 
sepals, and is only about 2 ft. high, often under that. 
To some extent it may be increased by division. 
PoTENTILLA ARGYROPHYLLA ATROSANGUINEA.— Of 
all the Potentilias that find their way into herbaceous 
borders, the beautiful variety under notice is the 
most widely cultivated. The leaves are massive 
and divided into three leaflets that are silvery-white 
on the under surface. The stems are branching 
upwards, and produce a long succession of dark- 
crimson or blood-red flowers. 
Hippocrepis comosa.— The Horse-shoe Vetch is a 
British plant occuring on the dry slopes of chalk 
downs or hills, where it forms procumbent patches 
of slender stems, bearing a profusion of golden-yellow 
flowers. Under cultivation it is not particular as 
to soil, but should be planted on the rockery, where 
it will seem at home amongst the stones and boulders. 
Care should be taken that there be plenty of depth 
of soil for the roots to descend. It can be pro¬ 
pagated by seeds, cuttings, and by division in the 
case of large plants. 
Lathyrus rotundifolius.— The brick-red flower 
of this species are very distinct from all others of 
the large-flowered kinds known as Everlasting Peas. 
When grown in the herbaceous border, it should 
have stakes to enable it to climb to a height of 4 ft. 
It continues flowering for some weeks. 
- •*« - 
DURRIS HOUSE, 
ABERDEEN. 
The beautiful residence of H. R. Baird, Esq., is 
conveniently situated on the south side of the River 
Dee, about twelve miles from Aberdeen and within 
two miles of Park Station, on the Great North of 
Scotland Railway. Entering by the northern gate, 
I wended my way towards the kitchen garden in 
which the houses are situate, noting as I passed 
along the well kept carriage drive some noble 
specimens of Conifers, all in the most robust health. 
Presently the mansion is reached, and I stood for 
a moment just to take a glance along the lovely Dee 
valley; whose rich and varied scenery at this 
season of the year is simply enchanting. 
Upon reaching the kitchen garden I found Mr; 
Reid the gardener, in charge, “ busy as a bee,” 
making preparations for the family as they were 
expected home in course of a few days. I mada 
enquiries respecting the fruit crops; Mr. Reid 
informed me that they were all that could be desired 
both in quantity and quality. When passing through 
the vineries a sight met my eyes, long to be remem¬ 
bered. I exclaimed “what a marvellous crop of 
grapes!" To which Mr. Reid replied, "nothing 
unusual." I counted on one vine (Mrs. Pince’s 
Black Muscat), sixteen huge bunches averaging from 
five to seven pounds each. Never has it fallen to 
my lot to see Mrs. Pince better grown. This vine 
is worth while going a long way to see. Orchids, as 
well as stove and greenhouse plants are well handled 
at Durris, reflecting great credit upon Mr. Reid, the 
enthusiasttc and energetic gardener.— J. McNab. 
FliORICUliTOf^E. 
National Carnation and Picotee Society. 
The annual show of the Southern section of this 
Society took place at the Drill Hall, Westminster, 
on Tuesday, and proved to be one of the best we 
have seen for some time. The season has been a 
very trying one for growers generally, and the date 
did not suit everybody, but notwithstanding these 
drawbacks, the blooms generally were exceedingly 
fine, bright and pure in colour, and in greater 
abundance than usual. There were four exhibitors 
of twenty-four Carnations, and Mr. Martin Rowan, 
of Clapham, came out first with a fine lot, especially 
strong in colour. He had J. S. Hedderley, S. B. 
(the Premier Carnation), Mrs. Rowan, William 
Skirving, George Melville, Thalia, Mrs. Gorton, 
TomMcReath, Gordon Lewis, Sportman, Constance 
Graham, Robert Houlgrave, Master Fred, Martin 
Rowan, Sarah Payne, John Buxton and duplicates. 
Mr. James Douglas was placed second and Mr. C. 
Turner third, but we are not singular in considering 
that these positions should have been reversed, Mr. 
Turner's stand being much nearer to the first than the 
one that got second honours. Mr. F. Hooper, Bath, 
secured the fourth ticket. 
With a dozen Carnations distinct in a strong 
class, Mr. C. Phillips, Reading, came in first with 
fine examples of Thalia, Charles Henwood, Edward 
Adams, Fred. Phillips, Admiral Curzon, Phoebe, 
Jos. Crossland, Lovely Mary, Sportsman, Robert 
Houlgrave, and Mrs. May. Mr. A. J. Sanders, 
gardener to Viscountess Chewton, Bookham, was 
second, Mr. Arthur Medhurst, Oxford, third, Mr. 
G. Chaundy, Oxford, fourth, Mr. J. Walker, Thame, 
fifth, Mr. R. Vesey, Clapham, sixth, Mr. A. Green¬ 
field, gardener to L. Hart, Esq., Sutton, seventh, 
and Mr. S. Fear, Enfield, eighth. In the class for 
six Carnations, distinct, Mr. F. Nutt, Southampton, 
came to the front wdth Martin Rowan, P. F., one of 
the late Mr. Dodwell's last raised seedlings, a fine 
bloom nearly 4 ins. over, Joseph Lakin, William 
Dean, Thalia, Edward Scholefield, and Squire Potts. 
The second prize went to Mr. W. L. Walker. 
Reading, for George, Thalia, Charles Henwood, 
Guardsman, Matador and Harrison Weir. The 
other awards went to Mr. T. Anstiss, Brill, Mr. A. 
Jordan, and the Rev. L. R, Flood; Merrow, Guild¬ 
ford. 
The awards in the single classes. Carnations, 
were as follows:—Scarlet Bizarres: First, Mr. 
Turner, with Dr. Hogg ; second. Mr. Rowan with 
Robert Houlgrave ; third and fourth, Mr. F. Hooper 
with Ed. Adams; fifth, Mr. Sanders with Robert 
Houlgrave. Crimson Bizarres: First and third, 
Mr. Douglas with Phoebe ; second, Mr. Rowan with 
J. S. Hedderley ; and fifth Mr. A. Medhurst with 
Master Fred. Pink and Purple Bizarres: First, 
Mr. A. J. Sanders with Edwin Rowan ; second and 
third, Mr. Rowan with William Skirving ; fourth 
and fifth, Mr. Turner with William Skirving and 
Rifleman. Purple Flakes : First, Mr. Hooper with 
James Douglas; second Mr. F. Nutt with Billy 
Henderson ; third and fourth, Mr. Rowan with 
George Melville; fifth, Mr. Douglas with Charles 
Henwood. Scarlet Flakes : First and second, Mr. 
Turner with Lady Constance; third, Mr. Sanders 
with Constance Grahame ; fourth, Mr. Rowan with 
Sportsman; fifth, Mr. Nutt with Constance Gra¬ 
hame. Rose Flakes ; First and second, Mr. Philips 
with Rob Roy, and Thalia ; third and fourth, Mr. 
Rowan with Rob Roy and Jessica ; fifth Mr. 
Douglas with Thalia. 
The lovely Picotees were a very strong order and 
Mr. Turner was again invincible in the class for 
twenty-four with large and wonderfully pure blooms 
of J. B. Bryant, Clara Penson, Madeleine, remark¬ 
ably fine ; Favourite, Lady Jane Churchill, Brunette, 
Little Phil, Sylvia, Jessie, Lady E. Van de Weyer, 
Esther, Lady Gordon Cathcart, IMrs. Payne and 
duplicates. Mr. M. Rowan was a good second, 
Mr. Douglas third, and Mr. Hooper fourth. For 
twelve distinct in a grand class Mr. C. Philips was 
again a good first with Little Phil, Nellie, Muriel, 
Cordelia, Zerlina, Favourite, Mrs. Burnett, Mrs 
Payne, Morna, Mrs. Gorton, James Smith and Mrs 
Beal. Second, Mr. A. Medhurst ; third. Mr. A. J 
Sanders ; fourth, Mr. A. Greenfield ; fifth, Mr. R. 
Vesey; sixth, Mr. G. Chaundy; seventh, Mr. W. 
Toby, Brompton; eighth, Mr. J. Walker. With 
six distinct, Mr. Nutt again secured premier honours 
