September 10, 1892. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
21 
Sagina, and having numerous dot plants of long 
legged Sempervivums, Echeveria metallica. A 
groundwork of Sedum sarmentosum variegatum 
follows, and is surrounded with a tall line of Iresine 
Lindeni. This is succeeded by large patches of 
green leaved Mesembryanthemums and Sedum sar¬ 
mentosum variegatum ; the outer patches are of 
Sedum glaucum and Herniaria, with the usual 
edgings. Both ends of the bed are the same, and 
in the narrow neck connecting them are some 
grotesque and gouty-looking Cacti. 
Behind the last named is a large round bed of 
the bronzy foliaged Ricinus Gibsoni 2J ft. high, 
mixed with variegated Maize, slightly taller, on a 
ground of striped Petunias. Near it is a circular 
bed of succulents modelled somewhat on the same 
plan as the large one already mentioned. Occupying 
the corner or the angle where the walk forks is a 
bold plantation of Brugmansia Knightii, 6 ft. to 8 ft. 
high, mixed with dwarfer plants of a variety of the 
garden Orache, having red leaves on the tips of the 
face. Alternating with and outside of those four 
pyramids are four domes of a red foliaged Alternan- 
thera, with several edgings. The two end beds are 
each elevated, forming a plateau along the centre, 
and the figures are of different patterns in each, con¬ 
sisting of Alternantheras, Mesembryanthemum, and 
the yellow leaved Alsine ; but they are too intricate 
to follow in detail. Two large centre plants of Agave 
filamentosa are noticeable, and neat dot plants are 
also pretty freely used here and there. The ground¬ 
work on the lower level consists of Mentha Pulegium 
gibraltarica and a magnificent red foliaged Alter- 
nanthera. The edgings are again raised above the 
surrounding level, and are planted with the yellow 
Alsine, and the steep sides with Echeveria secunda 
glauca. Altogether the three beds forming the whole 
figure are well worth seeing by those interested in 
carpet bedding. 
Behind this is a large oblong bed boldly planted 
with large specimens of Aralia papyrifera, with 
Melianthus major and bold pieces of the Canary 
figures of different patterns filled with Coleus Vers- 
chaffelti. The groundwork at either end is of the 
yellow Sagina, and Mentha in the centre. Both 
beds are novel, neat, and pretty. 
The old mounds in the alpine garden have been 
derobed of their former hoary covering of Antennaria 
tomentosa, a fact to be regretted, for although they 
presented great sameness year after year they were 
very unique and characteristic, as may be judged by 
the accompanying illustration. The various slopes 
and mounds have been dug up and planted with a 
mixture of Thalictrum adiantoides, Salvia patens, 
Fennel, scarlet Lobelias, Lilium pardalinum, L. 
speciosum and L. auratum on a groundwork of Pilea 
muscosa, species of Mesembryanthemum, Sedum 
sarmentosum variegatum, and various other low- 
growing plants. The mixture of course presents a 
good deal of variety at different seasons; but the 
mounds might be occupied differently to advantage 
another season. Bold clumps of the perennial Sun¬ 
flowers, one varieties of Michaelmas Daisies and 
The Old Alpine Quarter in Battersea Park. 
shoots, also bronzy-foliaged Cannas, Everlastings, 
and other plants. A peculiarity of the double 
flowers of the Brugmansia is that the inner corolla 
is often much longer than the outer, whereas the re¬ 
verse order is usually the case The long trumpet¬ 
shaped flowers were numerous when we saw them. 
Close by the corner bed is a circular one filled with 
Dracaenas, Yucca aloifolia variegata, Eucalyptus, 
and Lilium speciosum on a ground of Coleus fulgens 
ana patches of Pelargonium Crystal Palace Gem 
centred with bicolors. 
The design of what are usually spoken of as the 
coffin beds is entirely different from what it has been 
in former years, and if anything more intricate. As 
a piece of carpet bedding the three beds constituting 
the figure are facile princeps the best in the park. The 
central bed is circular, and that at either end is 
oblong, and concave at the end abutting upon the 
circle. The centre of the latter is occupied by an 
obtuse pyramid of Alternanthera paronychoides 
aurea with dividing lines of Rochea falcata on the 
edges. Around this are four pyramids of the same 
Alternanthera with dividing lines of Pachyphytum 
bracteosum, Echeveria Peacocki, and Kleinia repens, 
and a dot plant of Sempervivum tabulaeforme on each 
Creeper between, but curiously enough although 
vigorous the latter was not in flower when we saw 
it. Petunias formed the groundwork and 
Abutilon Thompsoni formed a bold inner edging. 
Pursuing the path to the right a circular bed of 
simple but attractive design comes into view. It is 
thinly planted with Lobelia splendens Victorias on a 
groundwork of the tricolor Pelargonium Mrs. 
Pollock and the dwarf blue Lobelia edged with 
Iresine Lindeni and Veronica Andersoni variegata. 
The Palm and Fern dell is planted with the usual 
occupants, and although interesting presents nothing 
new. A little farther on, that is eastwards, are some 
neatly executed carpet beds on the left hand side, 
but facing the lake. A large oblong and curved bed 
is occupied by an intricate scrollwork and figures of 
Coleus Verschaffelti and Mesembryanthemum 
cordifolium variegatum edged with Alternanthera 
versicolor on a ground of Herniaria. Not far 
distant is another bed of similar shape, planted with 
stellate or star-like figures of Echeveria secunda 
glauca, edged with Alternantheras, and figures of 
the latter edged with Kleinias. At either end of the 
bed are elevated egg-shaped patches of Alternantheras 
ranged round a small centre, also some three-lobed 
autumn flowering Phloxes of the newer improved 
kinds and other hardy subjects might with advantage 
be introduced into the park. The bank of Clematis 
Jackmannii isfine as usual. Wholesale introductions 
every year would be expensive, but a few might be 
made every year of the more popular subjects, not 
necessarily in the subtropical garden proper, but 
elsewhere as there is plenty of space. The park 
everywhere gives evidence of carelul management on 
the part of Mr. Coppin, the Superintendent. 
-- 
LOBELIA MILLERI. 
This is considered to be a garden hybrid between 
L. syphilitica and L. cardinalis or some of its allies. 
The stems vary from 18 in. to 2 ft. in height and are 
therefore stronger than those of L. syphilitica 
usually are. The flowers are large, deep purple, 
produced in a long terminal raceme, and are quite 
handsome even although they lack the lustre or 
brilliancy of the three Mexican species, L. cardinalis 
L. splendens with its beautiful and popular dark 
purple foliaged variety Victorias, and" L. fulgens, 
which is equally choice as far as the flowers are 
concerned. These Mexican Lobelias might be 
more extensively grown than they are at present 
together with L. Milleri, which would be more, 
interesting and enhanced even by contrast. 
