March 12, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
445 
at Tottenham, a considerable number of forms being 
catalogued. These hardy plants, although they have 
not the showiness of their exotic relatives grown 
under glass, are still beautiful and very interesting. 
The Spider Orchids, Ophrys aranifera is one of the 
earliest of these, since it is in bloom at the present 
time, of course somewhat in advance of its normal 
period. The green sepals and petals and the dark 
maroon, curiously-shaped lip, are both quaint and 
pretty. Orchis robertiana, with its large dense 
spikes of purple and white flowers, has more 
pretensions to decorative qualities. 
In some of the larger houses there is at the present 
time a very fine display of hardy flowers which 
have been grown in pots and given a little heat to 
induce them to bloom early. Amongst these we 
saw some capital samples of Narcissus minimus, 
N. pallidus praecox, N. nobilis, the comparatively 
rare N. Johnstoni, and the curious Tunisian species 
N. Broussonetii; also good clumps of Iris reticulata 
(this has been cut down out of doors). Batches of 
healthy well-flowered plants of Primula denticulata 
and its albino P. d. alba were likewise most com¬ 
mendable. 
In the protected grounds we noticed a consider¬ 
able number of handsome plants, one of the most 
noteworthy of which was Colchicum libanoticum. 
The plant is very dwarf in habit, and the cup¬ 
shaped, pearly pink flowers are produced quite close 
to the ground. The leaves are lanceolate in shape, 
with obtuse apices, and rather succulent in texture. 
This little Colchicum is certainly one of the gems of 
the genus, and deserves wide recognition. Eranthis 
cilicica is a new and rarely beautiful plant that 
cannot fail to be much grown and not less appreci¬ 
ated. It is taller and larger in all its parts than the 
well known E. hyemalis, the popular Winter 
Aconite, and the flowers are, if anything, of a deeper 
yellow. It comes into bloom about six weeks later 
than E. hyemalis. 
Of the early Fritillaries, F. oranensis, an Algerian 
species, with its handsome bell-shaped green and 
maroon flowers, was well sustaining its credit. F. 
pluriflora was a novelty to us, and a most beautiful 
one too. The flowers, which are rather small, 
exhibit a soft, pleasing shade of purple-pink, a colour 
rarely seen in this class of plants. Three to four 
flowers are borne on a single scape. The leaves are 
narrowly lanceolate in shape, very glaucous, and suc¬ 
culent. The plant is a native of California. Ane¬ 
mone blanda was rendering a capital account of it¬ 
self, and, indeed, Mr. Reuthe informed us, had been 
in flower ever since the middle of January. Tulipa 
violacea, with its small, sweet-scented, red-purple 
flowers, is perhaps more interesting than pretty. At 
any rate, it has done well to flower thus early, for 
being of diminutive proportions it would probably 
stand a poor chance of recognition if it attempted to 
bloom at the same time as its more impressive rela¬ 
tives. A batch of Hyacinthus azureus in one corner 
of the frame ground furnished a patch of vivid blue 
than which nothing could be more beautiful. The 
early-flowering Irises were represented by masses of 
such forms as I. persica purpurea, I. stylosa alba, I. 
reticulata Krelagi, and I. r. histrioides. All are pretty 
and useful, but the flowers are very delicate. Crocus 
Balansae is a little gem that resembles C- chrysan- 
thus, but is a little richer yellow, and is several 
weeks later in flowering, for C. chrysanthus is now 
over. C. biflorus nubigenus is one of the prettiest 
"biflorus” forms. The flowers are white with a 
large and conspicuous yellow base. 
The Snowdrops have been having a grand time of 
it, and indeed we have never seen them looking 
better than during this year. The new Galanthus 
Ikariae has done remarkably well, and in several 
places we saw instances of its effectiveness. Even 
late planted bulbs have flowered well, although these 
plants were noticeable from their comparatively 
dwarf habit, both in length of scape and leaf. 
Several corners of the rockery were quite gay with 
it ; indeed, to quote Mr, Reuthe’s own words, “ it is 
impossible to praise it too highly for beauty and 
usefulness.” This statement we could but endorse 
in the face of the samples before us. G. Elwesii, the 
Giant Snowdrop, must not be forgotten, for there is 
no doubt that it contests with G. Ikariae the first 
place for decorative value. We noticed a more 
vigorous form of it named G. E. robustus, and were 
particularly impresssed with its appearance. Whilst 
speaking of Snowdrops, mention should be 
made of the free-flowering G. byzantinus, which 
comes into bloom directly after the autumn flowering 
G. corcyrensis. The flowers are long and of a pure, 
snowy white, prettily blotched with a delicate shade 
of green. Certainly the three most useful snowdrops 
are G. Ikariae, G. Elwesii, and G. byzantinus. Those 
lovers of flowers who like something in the way of 
novelty should grow G. Scharlocki, which has two 
very long spathes to each flower, instead of one, as 
in the case of all other known Snowdrops. 
Saxifraga apiculata, with its light yellow flowers, 
is one of the earliest of the mossy Saxifrages to 
bloom in the open. S. sancta is a little later, and 
the flowers exhibit a deeper yellow hue. The latter 
species was just commencing to open its flowers. 
Rarely, if ever, can one see a finer batch of 
Anemone Pulsatilla than that at Tottenham. The 
plants are seven or eight years of age, and are thus 
of great size and strength. They are throwing up 
great numbers of flowers, which so far have escaped 
the frost, and which may thus be trusted to make a 
grand display in the near future. , 
Amongst the hardy flowers we may make mention 
of Rhododendron praecox, which was represented by 
a number of sturdy little bushes full of flower. This 
is one of the most beautiful and most valuable of the 
early Rhododendrons, and one which, when the frost 
can be induced to let it alone, may always be 
expected to be in capital form at the end of February. 
The frost which recently visited us had, we found, 
tried the flowers sorely. 
Although it does not come into the list of hardy 
early flowers, we cannot forbear to mention a grand 
batch of the shrubby Veronica Traversii, than which 
there is no prettier shrub for town gardens. The 
plants in question were sturdy, compact-habited 
samples about i ft. in height, and some four years of 
age. It has never fallen to our lot to see a finer 
stock of plants. V. buxifolia was showing up well a 
little distance away. This is a dwarfer species, but 
also a very handsome one, and quite distinct. Iberis 
Little Gem is a plant that has a great future before 
it. Dwarf and bushy in habit, it flowers con¬ 
tinuously from spring till autumn, and we found its 
buds just on the point of bursting. Those who are 
on the look out for a hardy and handsome subject 
for rock garden, herbaceous border, or culture in 
pots, cannot do better than invest in a few of it. 
-- 
Hardening Miscellany. 
CINERARIAS. 
There is a grand lot of these in bloom at the present 
time at Yoecliffe House, Wirksworth, the seat of C. 
Wright, Esq. On measuring some of the plants I 
found them to be 18 or 20 ins. across ; and they are 
grown in 5-inch pots. Mr. G. Baking, the gardener, 
is very proud of his plants and well he might be. 
The strain is that of Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High 
Holborn.— T. Cockerill, Wirksworth. 
EVER-BLOOMING PRAIRIE QUEEN ROSE. 
Among the novelties illustrated in the novelty 
supplement of the Florists' Exchange for February 
12th, this handsome Rose occupies a foremost 
position. It is stated to be perfectly hardy, and to 
withstand a temperature of io° below zero without 
protection. The flowers are very double, beautifully 
fragrant, and dark carmine in hue. They are of 
medium size, and produced in clusters like all those 
varieties of the Polyantha section. The growth is 
quick and vigorous, and the habit distinctly climbing. 
It is, moreover, recommended for pot work, as well 
as for cultivation in the open ground. If the variety 
possesses all these good qualities, it will doubtless 
become as great a favourite on this as on the other 
side of the “ herring-pond.” 
ADIANTUM CUNEATUM. 
At Yoecliffe House there are some splendid speci¬ 
men plants of the above. We found on running the 
tape measure across some of the plants that they 
are 4 ft. in diameter. The specimens are growing 
in 9-inch pots, and have been brought to this high 
state of perfection by the use of “ Daklng’s Acama- 
tutty.”— T.C. 
LILY-WHITE SEAKALE. 
Many proprietors will not have Seakale on their 
tables which is not pure white, of good size and per¬ 
fectly tender. The Lily-White variety is very dis¬ 
tinct and its colour is all that can be desired. It is 
grown as easily as the older variety ; but it must 
not be supposed that its tempting colour always in¬ 
dicates tenderness. If air is allowed to circulate in 
the space where forcing is done, tough stringy pro¬ 
duce can only be growD, and the inexperienced may 
supply a culinary article which may do them dis¬ 
credit. The old plan of covering with leaves, and 
other fermenting material, with pots placed over the 
crowns, is always safe. Boxfuls of roots buried in 
heaps of leaves supply good Seakale.— M. T., 
Carron, N.B. 
VICTORIA TRICKERI. 
This is considered by an eminent firm of nursery¬ 
men and seedsmen in the United States to be such an 
improvement upon the old V. regia that the latter 
will be no longer catalogued. It is stated to be much 
hardier, and to have a deeper upturned rim to the 
leaves than the type, whilst the calyx is free from 
spines It is also said to be more vigorous ingrowth, 
producing double the number of leaves and flowers 
that V. regia does. It has been tested well in the 
States, and in every case gave satisfaction ; also at 
Kew in our own country, where it maintained its dis¬ 
tinctive characteristics. The last issue of the 
Florists' Exchange that reached us gave a small illus¬ 
tration of it. 
— - 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL. —March 8 U. 
The Drill Hall was well filled with exhibits of all 
sorts on Tuesday last, including Orchids, stove and 
greenhouse plants, Amaryllis, Cyclamen, Camellias, 
Ferns, Daffodils in quantity, double Cherries, 
Azaleas and various other forced subjects. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Ltd., Chelsea, staged a 
grand group of Orchids consisting largely of Den- 
brobiums, Epidendrums and Cattleyas. Very finely 
flowered were Dendrobium crassinode, D.wardianum, 
D. Edithae, D. Wiganiae, D. Euryalus, D. splendid- 
issimum, D. Cybele nobilius, and D. striatus, all 
except the two first named being hybrids. Very 
fine also were the hybrids of Epidendrum all coming 
under the name of E. elegantulum, and derived from 
a cross between E. Wallisii and E. Endresio- 
Wallisii the last named being a hybrid derived from 
the species whose name it bears. Epiphronitis 
Veitchi obtained from Epidendrum radicans and 
Sophronites grandiflora, was also shown along with 
its parents; Cymbidium eburneo-lowianum standing 
between its parents was also noticeable upon the 
table (Silver Banksian Medal). 
The sensation in the above group was a small 
piece of Odontoglossum crispum Baroness Schroder, 
belonging to Baron Schroder (gardener, Mr. H. 
Ballantine), The Dell, Egham. 
Messrs. Charlesworth & Co., Heaton, Bradford, 
also exhibited Orchids, consisting chiefly of Odonto- 
glossums, Dendrobiums, and many grandly flowered 
specimens of Phaius Norman, P. N. aurea, and P. 
N. rosea. All were finely set up with Palms and 
Ferns (Bronze Banksian Medal), 
Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, showed a 
small mixed group of Orchids containing a mag¬ 
nificent variety of Odontoglossum nebulosum, 
named O. n. pardinum, remarkable for the size and 
number of the spots upon it. 
C. L. N. Ingram, Esq. (gardener, Mr. Bond), 
Elstead House, Godaiming, staged a large and 
showy group of Dendrobium splendidissimum grandi- 
florum, every plant being well grown and most of 
them profusely flowered. 
Philip Crowley, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Harris), 
Waddon House, Croydon, staged a huge, well- 
flowered piece of Cypripedium villosum. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H. White), Burford 
Lodge, Dorking, exhibited Dendrobium Euterpe and 
D. Clio. A fine spike of Epidendrum stamfordianum 
was shown by J. T. Bennett Poe, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. Downes), Holmwood, Cheshunt. C. J. Lucas, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. G. Duncan), Warnham Court, 
Horsham, showed Laeliocattleya warnhamensis, a 
fine hybrid. Otto Froebel, Zurich, Switzerland, 
showed a fine plant of Spiranthes colorata maculata. 
J. Rutherford, Esq. (gardener, Mr. John Lupton), 
Beardwood, Blackburn, staged a numoer of Odonto- 
glossums. 
H. T. Pitt, Esq., Rosslyn, Stamford Hill, exhibited 
