THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 1, 189?. 
DWARF BEARDED IRISES. 
RiCHaRDIA ELLlOfTiANA. 
Not the least noteworthy feature at Messrs. Barr & 
Sons nurseries at Long Ditton is a fine collection of 
these hugely pretty dwarf Irises. The plants are 
growing in close proximity to some of the larger 
growers, and thus the difference in height and the 
lowliness of stature of the pumila section are both 
rendered very striking. The plants run to about six 
inches in height, and the tufts of short bright green 
leaves make a pretty picture when surmounted by the 
variously hued flowers. 
The type, I. pumila, which is a native of Asia 
Minor, from whence it was introduced in or about 
the year 1596, has bright lilac purple flowers, with a 
dense white beard on the claw and lower part of the 
keel of the falls. Since that date the energy and 
skill of our florists has brought forth a number of 
very pretty varieties, exhibiting a considerable range 
of colour. Their very dwarf habit renders them 
suitable as edging material for beds or borders, in 
which position they prove a great success. When 
grown in masses upon rockeries, or semi-naturalised 
by the side of woodland walks, or the wilder portions 
DEEPDENE GARDENS, DORKING, 
SURREY. 
Since the Duchess of Marlborough came into 
possession of this grand place, wonderful alterations 
and valuable additions have been made in the glass 
departments, as well as in the grounds. A beautiful 
range of span-roof plant houses has been erected, 
and contains a good collection of plants most suitable 
for decorative purposes, both as regards cut flowers 
and foliage plants. One house contains as grand a 
lot of well-grown, clean and healthy Palms as one 
could wish to see, from a foot high up to 20 ft. A 
valuable sweet-scented flowers. Amongst florist 
flowers Pelargoniums have great attention, as do also 
Cyclamen and Calceolarias. Amongst the former, 
noticeable are the celebrated Reading Strain of 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Butterfly, Vulcan, and the 
varieties of their Giant strain being most noticeable. 
The Calceolarias are likewise splendidly done. The 
strain is Sutton’s Perfection, and for profusion of 
bloom, size, and well-formed flowers, diversity, and 
splendid colours, combined with the dwarf, vigorous 
habit, are everything that can be desired. I was 
also struck with the free manner in which Saint- 
paulia ionantha is flowering. This is a remarkable 
with dark chestnut-red sepals and petals on a golden 
ground. Very choice is Oncidium concolor, with 
uniformly yellow flowers. The orange-scarlet of 
Ada aurantiaca is also fine. Masdevallias are 
always pretty numerous here, and amongst others 
we noted the hybrid M. parlatoreana, M. Heathii, 
and M. Chelsoni, all with orange-scarlet flowers 
more or less overlaid with a violet plush. 
One of these cool houses is entirely new, and 
several others, together with the stages and fittings 
have been thoroughly renovated with very substantial 
material, and brass fittings to the doors. Double 
staging enables the cultivator to maintain a moist 
atmosphere without wetting his plants. 
Greenhouse and Forced Subjects. 
A cool conservatory here is always kept gay with 
flowers in season, but during spring the wealth of 
flowers both in quantity and variety is simply 
astonishing to those who have not closely followed 
the times, and adopted the means placed at their 
disposal for maintaining a rich and attractive display. 
The plants are for the most part common, but in 
that respect lies the interest for those who have 
conservatories under their care. Beautiful and 
pleasing are the plants of Acacia cordata with long 
and elegant spikes of lemon-yellow flowers. Other 
useful subj'ects are Boronia heterophylla, B. mega¬ 
stigma, Erica ventricosa coccinea minor, E. candidis- 
sima. E. spenceriana, Cytisus racemosus and others. 
Hyacinths were plentiful some time ago, and they 
together with Mignonette, and Heliotrope maintained 
a delicious aroma in the house. Forced subjects include 
Spiraeas, (herbaceous and shrubby) Lilac, Guelder 
Roses, Solomon's Seal, Rhododendrons of the hybrid 
ponticum type, Waterer’s Cherry, and Hydrangea 
Dr. Hogg, having white flowers. The yellow flowered 
Primula verticillata is well done at Chelsea. Deutzia 
gracilis and Prunus sinensis flore pleno are indis¬ 
pensable in spring. The Cinerarias are very brightly 
coloured. With such an array it may well be 
imagined that the house presents quite a gorgeous 
appearance at this season of the year. 
Another house has been kept gay for weeks past 
with various species and hybrids of Himalayan and 
Javan Rhododendrons. The latter are represented by 
various varieties. Grand and telling types are R. 
fosterianum R. Countess of Haddington, R. Countess 
of Sefton, and R. Veitchi, some of which are highly 
fragrant. The rich yellow spathes of Richardia 
elliottiana, with its ample and dark green foliage, 
beautifully blotched with white, will in a few years 
be an occupant of every garden of any note. It is 
easily grown and peculiarly handsome, as the ac¬ 
companying illustration, lent us by Messrs. Veitch 
& Sons, will show. 
The stove rockery presents a fine appearance with 
its flowering plants stood about amidst a greenery 
of Ferns, Selaginellas and other subjects. Some of 
the flowering plants are Tillandsia Lindeni, Begonia 
Gloire de Sceaux, Epiphyllum Gaertneri, Tacca 
cristata, Anthurium scherzerianum in variety, 
Begonia President Carnot, Tabernaemontana coro- 
naria, and Pancratium fragrans, the two latter being 
deliciously scented. The Otaheite Orange (Citrus 
japonica) is a useful decorative subject. A colony 
of hybrid Javan Rhododendrons may always be seen 
in this house. 
—~ ■* ■—— 
noticeable feature is the small pots. The gigantic 
well-furnished specimens are grown in all the leading 
varieties of Kentia, Phoenix, Rhapis, Latania, Cocos, 
and Geonoma, all well done. There are several 
houses of Orchids. Cattleyas, Dendrobes, Cypriped- 
iums, and Vandas, are grown for cut flowers in large 
quantities. Amongst stove-flowering and forcing 
plants sweet-scented flowers are the order of the day. 
Gardenias, Eucharis, Pancratiums, forced Liliums, 
of all varieties, are grown in great quantities, as well 
as all kinds of bulbs, which are just past their 
season. e 
Carnations are a special feature, all the leading 
varieties of the Malmaison section, also the tree 
varieties are well-represented by well-grown plants 
of various sizes, which daily give a supply of their 
of the grounds where they are not too much shaded 
they are equally good, and seldom fail to bloom 
freely. 
I. p. Count Andrassy is one of the finest forms. 
Both falls and standards are azure blue, the falls 
having rather conspicuous dark veins. 
I. ‘p. Nellie exhibits a fine shade of bright 
yellow, and is very attractive by contrast with 
the darker flowered forms. The flowers are extra 
large. 
I. p. caerulea is a very rich azure blue, and is 
rather cheaper at present than Count Andrassy, 
although it is fully as fine a form. 
I. biflora maculata has a soft blue flower, 
marbled and veined with purple ; the purple form is 
also a great acquisition. 
