tHE GARDENING WORLD 
713 
juiy 6, 1895. 
rock, is situated. The accompanying illustration, 
for which we are indebted to Messrs. J. Backhouse 
& Son, shows a portion of the rockwork in question, 
and will give some idea of the method of its con¬ 
struction and boldness of outline. 
We intended chiefly to speak of some of the 
numerous species of the vast assemblage of plants 
grown there. The Alpines flowering in May would 
practically be regarded as spring flowers, and we 
may add that a large proportion of them are notable 
for their dwarfness. In this category we should 
place the ever-interesting Gentiana verna and 
G. acaulis. No less of an Alpine character are 
Saxifraga muscoides atropurpurea, the dark zoned 
and large-flowered Dianthus calizonus and the 
white-flowered mountain Buttercup (Ranunculus 
glacialis) with eight to ten petals. Lychnis pyre- 
naica only 2 in. to 3 in. high, also produces white 
flowers. Myosotis Rechsteineri is probably the 
dwarfest of the Forget-me-nots. The pretty Viola 
pedata also flowers with remarkable freedom at 
York. Dianthus alpinus with rosy flowers is even 
dwarfer than the species already mentioned. The 
guinea, Ranunculus cortusaefolius and various 
forms of Trollius. The evergreen Daphne Fioniana 
bears pink flowers in spring and often also in mild 
winters. The bold variety of a British Fern and 
known as Asplenium Trichomanes confluens, proves 
hardy at York, and is remarkable for the large 
size of its fronds and broad, triangular pinnae. 
Mid-summer flowers are represented by others in 
great variety including the Campanulas, of which 
the collection is very extensive, and replete with 
forms from the dwarf C. Allioni with its huge 
solitary flower disproportioned to the size of the 
plant, up to C. lactiflora and C. macrantha that 
sometimes reach a height of six feet under favour¬ 
able conditions. The Anemones are also well repre¬ 
sented. Litbospermum graminifolium and L. 
petraeum (the latter of which is called Moltkia 
petraea by the botanists) are interesting and 
beautiful rock plants of another kind that are 
perfectly hardy and ought to be more common. 
The various species of Lychnis now in bloom can 
hardly be overlooked by anyone, particularly if 
interested in hardy plants of such showy character 
amongst which the-elegant groups stand supremely 
first. No one can describe their beauty. Let this 
suffice to say that the more you looked at the more 
important ones the more you wanted to look. First 
honours fell to Sir James Reckitt, from Hull, and he 
has every, reason to be proud of his gardeners, both 
head and under. This group exhibited the most 
artistic skill in its arrangement. The material, more¬ 
over, of which it was composed was of highest 
possible quality, and won it the place of honour. 
The slender tree-like Crotons, of exquisite colour, 
and the various Orchids it included were a real treat. 
The next prize was carried off by the Duke of St. 
Albans with another choice arrangement. Third 
came Mrs. G.urney Pease, and fourth E B. 
Faber, Esq. Both the latter exhibits were of high 
standard ; although if these two groups had been 
judged oy gentlemen who had carefully observed the 
schedule they would certainly have changed places. 
However, let that be as it may. I must 
prophesy that Mr. Townsend, gardener to E. B. 
Faber, Esq., has a great future before him if he 
will follow up his success. This being his first 
dark rose flowers of Aubrietia Leichtlinii and the 
dark blue Veronica prostrata are better known than 
some we have mentioned ; beautiful they are and 
are rendered even more so by contrast with the 
prostrate patches of Genista pilosa with its dark 
yellow flowers. Morisia hypogaea is another gem 
for sheltered corners of the rockwork in spriog. One 
of the dwarfest in the whole series is a miniature 
species of Thrift (Armeiia caespitosa) with pink 
flowers, and only one inch high. 
Singular and interesting is the dwarf Gnaphalium 
grandiceps from New Zealand with its dwarf gray 
tufts of leafy stems. The olive-leaved Lithospermum 
oleaefolium has blue flowers striped with pink. A 
bolder and more conspicuous plant is Dracoce- 
phalum grardiflorum, with large blue flowers 
spotted with violet, though the plant at York is 
only 3 in. high. Amongst taller plants we are 
much interested in a double form of the Welsh 
Poppy (Meconopsis cambiica flore pleno) which 
originated in the York Nurseries. Other useful 
subjects for various situations are Heuchera san- 
as L. Viscaria splendens plena and the graceful and 
p-etty L. Flos-cuculi flore pleno with its rosy and 
starry double flowers. L. vespertina plena is a more 
robust grower with massive, double white flowers. 
Ratnondia pyrenaica and its white variety alba are 
gems amongst Alpine plants, as is Phyteuma 
comosum. Many of the hardy terrestrial Orchids, 
but particularly the Cypripediums also find a place, 
and delight in somewhat shady and moist positions 
in a peaty soil. The British C. Calceolus with its 
brown sepals and petals and yellow lip is not to be 
overlooked any more than its more showy sister, C. 
spectabile from Noith America. 
———«»- 
MEMORIES OF YORK GALA. 
The long-looked-for and most anxiously awaited by 
those even slightly interested has come and gone. We 
have had a most brilliant show, equal to many of 
much greater pretensions. The tent arrangements 
were perfect, and reflect the greatest credit upon 
those who were entrusted with them. Now for a 
very brief glance at a few of the main features, 
attempt at anything like an extensive display, he un¬ 
doubtedly acquitted himself well. 
Roses were decidedly in advance of previous years, 
honours falling pretty evenly to the principal growers 
of the country. Specimen Geraniums, Pelargoniums, 
and Fuchsias were very good, although the two first 
mentioned were getting fast over. Orchids were 
abundantly represented, Messrs. Charlesworth & 
Co. and Messrs. Sander, St. Albans, figuring most 
prominently. A few new and rare specimens ex¬ 
hibited by the latter firm were well worth more than 
a passing glance. Among them Dracaena Sanderiana 
is a grand acquisition to any stove, and has splendid 
green and white leaves. Pilocereus senilis (the Old 
Man Cactus) is extremely curious, and attracted 
universal attention. Sonerillas of quite a dozen 
varieties displayed foliage of many and varied 
colours. Eriocnema Sanderae and Carludovica 
(Ludovia) crenifolia were good. Some beautiful 
foliage Begonias of the Rex type were present, and 
included Rajah and Masterpiece. Coleus Golden 
King, and C. Fascinator are splendid additions to this 
