THE GARDENING WORLD. 
U 
OUR ILLUSTRATIONS FROM EDIN¬ 
BURGH. 
We have been favoured with the copyright 
of several magnificent photos taken by those 
well-known artists to the Queen, Messrs. 
J. Horsburgh & Son, of Edinburgh and 
London. These pictures include the principal 
groups and portraits taken on the occasion of the 
Royal Caledonian Society’s Diamond Jubilee Show a 
fortnight since, and to-day we have the pleasure of 
submitting to our readers the first of the series. 
Messrs. Colchester’s beautiful Octagon shaped group 
(see p. 73), occupied a central position in the western 
extremity of the Waverley Market, and a brief 
description of the principal plants and flowers used 
in its very pretty decoration may not be out of place. 
There were handsome specimens of Latania bor- 
bonica, Kentia belmoreana, and other Palms, Arau¬ 
caria excelsa, Aralias, Asparagus plumosus, Dra¬ 
caenas, Maidenhair Ferns, Pteris major, and P. 
tremula, and splendidly bloomed plants of Hydran¬ 
gea paniculata grandiflora, interspersed with 
beautiful spikes of choice Gladioli. The edges of 
the stand were gracefully festooned with Smilax and 
pots of Lysimachia Nummularia. The statuary, 
which was a striking feature in the decoration, was 
adorned with lovely trails of Tropaeolum speciosum, 
with its lovely scarlet flowers, glowing like fireflies 
amongst its beautiful green foliage. The plants were 
all well grown attractive specimens of sturdy 
vigorous growth, and with rich shining green foliage, 
characteristic of plants that have had a judicious 
application of Ichthemic Guano. 
-« » ■ — 
VICTORIA PARK. 
Some idea of the extent of this London Park may be 
gained when we state that it is 1$ miles in length or 
more, and possesses 22 gates for the admission of the 
teeming population which surrounds it on all sides. 
Some years ago large areas of it consisted of bare 
ground without a vestige of grass ; but since it was 
taken in hand by the present superintendent, Mr. J. 
W. Moorman, these areas have been trenched, re¬ 
sown with grass, and fenced off piece by piece to 
keep the public off until the grass should get well 
established. There is now a fine sward instead of 
bare ground ; and in several other respects vast im¬ 
provements have been effected. 
Palm House and Neighbourhood. 
Some time ago we made a rapid inspection of the 
park particularly in relation to the bedding, and the 
glasshouses. The large Palm house or “ winter 
garden" at the west end of the park now contains 
many large and well grown specimens of Palms, 
Dracaenas and Tree Ferns, about 20 ft. in height. Two 
tall specimens of Dicksonia antarctica are furnished 
with fine heads. Originally they formed one speci¬ 
men with two trunks which were cut asunder and 
successfully re established by Mr. Moorman. These 
and other foliage plants were brightened with tall 
standard Fuchsias, some of which consisted of three 
varieties grafted on the top of one another and form¬ 
ing three tiers of flowers of different colours. 
Impatiens Sultani Episcopi, deep blue Hydrangeas, 
and Pelargoniums enlivened the benches. 
The flat near the Palm house is always ah interest¬ 
ing spot for all who are interested in flower bedding. 
Being fully exposed to light and air on all sides 
except what shelter is afforded by shrubs at the back, 
Pelargoniums and other flowering subjects produce 
a blaze of colour not often met with. All the plants 
were put out about the middle of May. The plant¬ 
ing in several respects is different from that of former 
years. For instance, the carpet bedding has been 
omitted in this particular design, and succulents 
employed instead. 
We shall only attempt to notice the finest of the 
beds this season. In the back line two mixed beds 
have been very gay indeed. They consist of white 
and }ellow Marguerites, Erythrina Crista-galli, 
Gladioli, Lilium auratum and Fuchsias, on an under¬ 
growth of Pelargonium Lucius with an outer band of 
Crystal Palace Gem. On either side of these 
central beds is one of the pink Pelargonium Mrs. 
Turner mixed with Fuchsias, and having a broad 
edging of white Lobelia. Towards either end is 
another mixture of white Marguerites and Pelar¬ 
gonium Henry Jacoby making a bold and effective 
contrast. These two are edged with a broad band 
of the blue Ageratum Dunbar’s Dwarf. The corner 
beds of the design are circular and consist of succu¬ 
lents on a restful groundwork of Herniaria, golden 
Creeping Jenny, and Antennaria tomentosa. The 
succulents are dotted over these, and consist of 
green and variegated American Aloes, Echeveria 
metallica, Canary Island Houseleeks, Agave filamen- 
tosa, Pachyphyton bracteosum, Haworthia subulata, 
Opuntias, Cereus, and other quaint or grotesque 
subjects. 
In the second line from the back are two fine beds 
of East Lothian Stocks, and Ivy-leaved Pelargonium 
Madame Crousse, edged with the pretty Cuphea 
platycentra and the yellow Fuchsia Golden Fleece. 
Two circular beds of Celosia pyramidalis on a ground 
of Viola Max Colb and The Mearns, have been 
charmingly effective for a loDg time. Striking also 
are two beds of the dazzling scarlet Pelargonium 
Bonfire, edged with Pelargonium Flower of Spring 
and Brighton Lobelia. Here also are two beds of 
succulents, similar to those at the extreme corners 
of the design. 
There are two fine beds of Heliotrope President 
Garfield and Petunias on a ground of Harrison’s 
Musk, bordered with spotted Mimulus, and the 
whole edged with white Lobelia. The groundwork 
is seen in the early part of the season only previous 
to the growth of the taller subjects. Two circular 
beds of Celosias and Viola Duchess of Sutherland, 
edged with Sempervivum canariense, are also 
well worth copying. Massive beds of the pink 
Pelargonium Cleopatra, edged with Centaurea 
ragusina candidissima and Amarantus melancholicus 
ruber, are simple in design but imposing in effect. 
The middle bed at the front edge of the design is 
known as the Butterfly or Prince of Wales’ Feather, 
from its form and planting. The wings and tail 
consist of a mixture of Duchess of Sutherland and 
William Niel Violas, and the bronze Pelargonium 
Mrs. Quilter. Inside of the above come three rows 
of Pelargonium Vesuvius running all round ; then 
two rows of the bicolor Pelargonium Princess 
Alexandra, mixed with The Mearns Viola. There 
is a triple edging of Iresine Lindeni, Lobelia Blue 
Queen and Pyrethrum selaginoides. 
The large circular bed in the triangle between three 
broad walks, and for some years planted with 
succulents, is entirely different this year. Tall plants 
of Plumbago capensis are placed at intervals, between 
which are shorter specimems of the Coral-tree, yellow 
Marguerites and Petunias. There is a triple edging 
of Coleus Verscbaffelti, Centaurea geminicarpa and 
Sempervivum arboreum. 
West end of Park. 
Pursuing the path on the north side of the park and 
in a westward direction one comes upon a continuous 
line of oblong and other beds by the side of the walk. 
The number of beds throughout the park is simply 
enormous, and a pleasing feature is the reduction of 
the Pelargoniums in favour of other plants, separately 
or in mixture to furnish as much variety as possible. 
Pleasing is a mixture of the dark Fuchsia Scarcity, 
Abutilon Souvenir de Bonn, and Ivy-leaved Pelar¬ 
goniums. A similar bed edged with Pelargonium 
Creed’s Seedling, dwarfer than Crystal Palace Gem, 
has also been fine. Other noteworthy beds are filled 
with Begonia atropurpurea, Acacia lophantha, and 
Chlorophytum elatum variegatum in mixture ; White 
Intermediate Stocks and The Mearns Viola ; Pent- 
stemons and Viola Wm. Neil; late Phloxes and 
Gladioli; Phlox Drummondi in rich variety ; Zinnias 
in mixture; and succulents and rockwork. A strik¬ 
ing mixture consists of early Chrysanthemums, 
Dahlias, white Marguerites and Aster Amelins, in a 
bed of scolloped outline. A large oval bed, built up 
into seven mounds, is planted with green and varie¬ 
gated American Aloes, and Opuntias on a ground of 
white Antennaria. 
A large, three-lobed bed contains a striking mix¬ 
ture of Gladioli, night-scented Tobacco, Heliotrope, 
Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, Phlox Drummondi, 
Fuchsias, Cape Hyacinth, and others edged with 
Viola Ardwell Gem, many of the subjects being old 
plants. Several large banks of shrubbery here have 
massive mixtures of popular and showy flowers in 
front of them, including Sunflowers, Shirley Poppies, 
Tobaccos, annual Chrysanthemums, Phloxes, Rud- 
beckias, Chilian Beet, French and other Marigolds, 
Clarkias, Malva moschata, Coreopsis grandiflora and 
many others producing a most gorgeous display. 
Crimson Cockscombs, tuberous Begonias, Acacia, 
Abutilon megapotamicum variegatum and others 
make a showy circular bed. 
October 2, 1897. 
In the reserve ground are plantadons of Canter¬ 
bury Bells, Delphiniums, &c., for next year. Chry¬ 
santhemums in batches of five and ten, up to forty cf 
each variety, give promise of a fine display presently. 
In the houses close by the offices are large quanities of 
stock for next year, as well as plants in reserve for 
any bed that may give out before the season is over. 
There are something like 1,000 Fuchsias alone, from 
6 in. to 3 fr. in height. Other plants are Amicia 
zygomeris, hundreds of Ficus elastica, Tuberoses, 
Azalea indica, A. amoena, &c., all in pots. 
The Scroll Bed. 
Not far from the east end of the ornamental water 
is the scroll bed, which is always an interesting 
feature of the park, being a neatly and elaborately 
executed carpet bed. This year it has been specially 
designed in reference 10 the Diamond Jubilee of Her 
Majesty The Queen. The bed is 78 yds. in length, 
and relatively narrow like chain bedding. In the 
centre is a crown and medallion, 10 ft. long and 
3 ft. 6 in. wide. Tne monogram V.R.I. is made of 
Alternanthera paronychoides aurea, A. amcena, and 
A. versicolor on a ground of Herniaria. The out¬ 
side is formed of a double row of Echeveria 
Peacocki and one of Alternanthera paronychoides 
major with Sempervivum tabulaeforme on the per¬ 
pendicular slope. On either side of the medallion is 
a Maltese cross. 
On the left-hand side of the central designs are 
the words “ May children of our children say,' and 
continued on the right, “ She wrought her people 
lasting good." The letters are worked out with 
various Alternantheras and small succulents, such 
as Pachyphyton bracteosum, Kleinia repens, K. 
tomentosa, Echeveria farinosa, variegated Mesem- 
bryanthemum, variegated Ground Ivy, golden Creep¬ 
ing Jenny, &c. Between every two words is a stop 
formed of plants. At the extreme ends of the scroll 
is a shield with the monogram V.R done with 
Alternantheras and Echeveria Peacocki on a ground 
of Antennaria. 
The scroll bed is a continual source of attraction 
to visitors who take a lively interest in reading the 
legend of inscription, and studying the other pieces 
of intricate work. At either end of the design is a 
large circular bed of undulated outline, and planted 
with many vari ties of Celosia cristata, mixed with 
Verbena venosa. 
Band Stand and Fountain. 
Towards tbe east end of the park the band stand is 
surrounded with plantations of popular flowers, and 
forms a great centre of attraction when the band 
plays. The large fountain bequeathed to’the park 
by the Baroness Burden Coutts, is another gay spot 
close by. It is surrounded by massive beds, four of 
which are filled with White Marguerites, which have 
buried the groundwork that was gay in the beginning 
of summer. 
There are two of the scarlet Pelargonium Bonfire ; 
three of Ricinus Gibsoni, Cannas and yellow Mar¬ 
guerites ; and two of Pelargonium Mrs. Turner; all 
have a groundwork of something, and double 
edgings. Besides the beds there are eight massive 
vases filled with popular flowers, and ‘all have 
flowered grandly. 
Sub-tropical Nooks and Bays, 
On the north side of the ornamental yyater are 
numerous creeks and bays sheltered with tall 
shrubbery, and occupied with beds consisting very 
largely of mixtures of flowering and foliage plants. 
In one large bay are fifteen beds of various shapes 
and sizes. One excellent mixture consists of 
Abutilon Thomsoni, Coral-tree, Ficus, Fuchsias, 
Gladioli, Palms, Petunias, &c. Others are variously 
occupied with Cannas, Heliotropes, tuberous 
Begonias, Fuchsias, East Lothian Stocks, Abutilon 
Souvenir de BonD, &c. In another bay are Latanias, 
Phoenix, Kentias, Dracaenas, &c., where carpet 
bedding used to be. Further on one comes upon 
circular beds in another bay, variously filled with 
flowering and foliage plants, which have given the 
fullest satisfaction. 
A piece of rockwork, usually entirely devoted to 
grotesque Opuntias and other succulents, has this 
year been enlivened with Chinese Pinks, Phlox 
Drummondi, Antirrhinums, Statice, Crocosmia and 
other flowering plants, as well as succulent subjects. 
The beauty, keeping and reputation of this large 
park are beiDg fully sustained by Mr. Moorman. 
At a fashionable Wedding celebrated a short time 
ago the flower bill came to 1,000 guineas. 
