668 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
June 19, 1897. 
Hardening ||iscellany. 
DIANTHUS CALIZONUS. 
This charming dwarf PiDk has much the same habit 
as D. a'pinus, than which it is larger in most of its 
parts. The stems bear a single flower and seldom, 
if ever, rise above 5 in. in height, though 3 in. is 
more nearly the average. The blade of the petal is 
almost triangular in outline, but rounded and dentate 
at the outer end, so that the five of them meet and 
form a circle or flat disc of a beautiful rose colour. 
Around the centre is a zone of deeper rosy-purple 
spots, giving rise in fact to the specific name which 
means beautiful zone. Young plants may be obtained 
by rooting cuttings under a handlight or bell glass 
during the summer months. It has been flowering 
for some time past on the rockery at Kew and is well 
adapted for this purpose. 
PETUNIA MRS. JOHN E. JEFFERIES. 
A Carnation-flowered double white Petunia is a 
very suitable epithet to apply to this variety which 
appeared in fine form in the collection of new plants 
shown by Messrs. F. Sander & Co , St. Albans, at 
the recent Temple Show. The variety originated in 
the Botanic Gardens, Oxford, some years ago and is 
named after the wife of Mr. John E. Jefferies of that 
city. It is a new departure from the stereotyped 
forms of double Petunia with which we have for 
long been familiar. Its neat compact habit of 
growth, multitude of branching stems and profusion 
of symmetrically formed white flowers, make it a 
welcome acquisition to those who can admire 
beautiful flowers, even if they are only moderate in 
size. Big blooms are too much boomed at the 
present day both by judges at shows, and the general 
public who ought by this time to know better. 
When the public comes to know it, however, it will 
cause no surprise should it speedily become popular, 
for if used for conservatory decoration it furnishes a 
profusion of useful white flowers right away into the 
winter months, when the large flowers would be 
more liable to succumb to the damp atmosphere of 
that season. Anyhow, it is one of the easiest to 
grow and bloom profusely. 
BROCCOLI CHAMPION. 
This is an old established favourite, but still one of 
the best for early summer use. It carries a large 
white solid head and is altogether a superior variety. 
I have cut heads this year measuring 18 in. across. 
It is one of the finest Broccoli grown for flavour, and 
a good companion for Carters’ Universal, turning in 
a short time before it.— T. Cocker-ill, Wirksworth. 
ORCHIS LATIFOLIA. 
In its widest and most comprehensive or extreme 
forms this species extends over Britain, part of con¬ 
tinental Europe, and Africa to the Island of Madeira. 
The form found on the latter island has the largest 
spikes and flowers, but the latter are relatively fewer 
than in British forms of the species. The flowers of 
the Madeira form are rosy-purple, and either self- 
coloured or spotted. The British form when grown 
strong produces long, dense spikes of richly-spotted 
flowers of moderate size. The leaves are usually 
green, but may be beautifully blotched with 
bronzy-purple in various fashions as in O. maculata. 
Some exotic forms with broad leaves often assume 
very rich patterns, and the blotches are arranged in 
closely-placed bands across the leaves. Those who 
have not been very successful in cultivating hardy 
terrestrial Orchids should certainly give this one a 
trial, whether in the ordinary British or the exotic 
forms, which can be obtained. A great number of 
different forms varying both in flower and leaf may 
be seen in different positions in the rockery at Kew, 
where they have been very stately for some time 
past. 
THE CHEDDAR PINK. 
While one of the prettiest of our native Pinks, 
Dianthus caesius is at the same time one of the 
rarest. If we exclude D. Caryophyllus and D. 
plumarius from the list of truly British species, then 
D. caesius would take front rank The form from 
the Cheddar cliffs in Somerset is very handsome, but 
seedlings raised from Continental seeds often prove 
vastly inferior to the native plant. The foliage is of 
a deep glaucous or gray hue, and is surmounted by 
the short stems which bear one to three flowers of a 
charming rosy-pink hue, and about the size of a 
shilling. A good patch of it is one of the most 
charming objects on a rockery at the present time. 
Propagation may be effected by cuttings or seeds. 
TWO ALLIED SAXIFRAGES. 
There are two Saxifrages in gardens, namely, Saxi- 
fraga Andrewsii and S. guthriana, though the latter 
is rare. Nevertheless, botanical books say they are 
identical, and adopting the name S. Andrewsii, say 
that it was once found at the head of Glen Caragb, 
Kerry, though no wild specimens now exist. The 
leaves are linear-spathulate, serrate, narrowed to a 
blunt point at the apex, and light green. The narrow 
panicle bears an abundance of white flowers thickly 
spotted with red for the greater part of the length of 
the petals. S. guthriana as seen in a few gardens 
about London has spathulate, crenate, dark green 
leaves that are broadest at the rounded apex. The 
flowers, which are borne in narrow panicles, are 
smaller than those of S. Andrewsii, and white with 
few very small and faint red spots near the base of 
the petals. As seen growing, whether in summer or 
winter, the plants are abundantly distinct, and when 
compared together need not be confused at all. 
DAHLIAS. 
In many low lying districts in northern parts, 
Dahlias are apt to make gross growth of foliage 
minus flowers. We have found that by potting the 
roots into good soil, which in due time will fill all 
the pot space, are thus forced into flowering. A 
few scores we have in good condition (June 12) ready to 
put into ground, not favourable to flowering, are nicely 
set with bloom. The plants are 3 ft. high, or more. 
The pots, now well filled with roots, will be plunged 
to the rims, and may be supplied with liquid manure. 
It is pleasing to see the increase of Dahlia culture in 
the north. The amount of space in florists’ esta¬ 
blishments for Dahlias is very wonderful. One 
would almost suppose when looking over the fields 
of infloresence at Messrs. Dobbies’ at Rothesay 
there would be enough of Dahlias to supply all wants. 
— M. T ., Carron, N.B. 
SPIRAEA ARIAEFOLIA. 
This stands in the first rank of a group comprising 
many of our most beautiful decorative plants, and 
from my own observation not at all particular as to 
soil or situation. I have had it thrive under the 
shade of a large Horse Chestnut tree, and in a dry 
sunny spot in the open. It forms a bush, when fully 
grown, some 12 ft. in height, and flowers during the 
last weeks of JuDe and beginning of July, and when 
in full flower is one of the most beautiful things we 
have, with its pannicles of creamy white flowers. 
An isolated specimen might be compared to a fountain 
of blossom. I may add that it will flower in a com¬ 
paratively small state.— W.B.G. 
EPILOBIUM LUTEUM. 
Yellow flowers are quite common and familiar 
amongst the species of Oenothera, but pink, rose and 
purple are the prevailing colours amongst the Epilo- 
biums, at least, as far as ciiltivated species are 
concerned. The plant under notice is a hardy 
herbaceous subject, a native of the United States. 
The stems usually grow about 6 in. high, and bear 
their expanded flowers at the top. Yellow would be 
a high compliment to pay them, but they might be 
described as pale primrose, and of large size for such 
a dwarf plant. It may be seen on the rockery at 
Kew. 
—--=*#»-- 
SOCIETIES 
ROYAL BOTANIC. —June 9. 
Most unfortunately, bad weather marred the 
success of the Floral Fete of the Royal Botanic 
Society, which was held in the gardens at Regent’s 
Park on the above date. H.H. the Duke of Teck 
attended the Floral Parade held in the afternoon, 
and gave away the prizes. The show in the large 
tent was a very small one, although all of the 
exhibits were of a high class character. The 
attendance was fair, but the incessant rain undoub¬ 
tedly kept a good many visitors away. 
Messrs. Kelway & Son, Langport, Somerset, 
occupied a considerable amount of space with hardy 
cut flowSrs. These were arranged in long curving 
lines on one of the higher mounds at the side of the 
large tent, on the left-hand side of the entrance from 
the long corridor, and made a most brilliant display. 
They included single and double Pyrethrums, single 
and double Chinese Paeonies, Delphiniums, and 
Amaryllis. Amongst the double Pyrethrums Aphro¬ 
dite, Ernest, Wega, and Leonard Kelway were first- 
class varieties. The Paeonies were simply superb 
in their varied and delicate shades of colour. Of the 
doubles Lady Newnes, Lady Sybil Smith, Gemalli, 
Dora Russell, Halesus, Fortalice, Galtee More, and 
Princess Christian were magnificent samples of 
florists' Paeonies. In the background some grand 
spikes of Delphiniums in a great variety of hue 
reared their stately presences, but these had not yet 
come to their full excellence, many of the upper 
buds being yet unopened (Gold Medal). 
Mr. R. Scott, gardener to Campbell Newington, 
Esq , The Holme, Regent’s Park, set up an excellent 
group of show and regal Pelargoniums. A Silver 
Medal was awarded. 
Messrs. Geo. Jackman & Son, Woking, Surrey, 
contributed a very showy group of choice hardy cut 
flowers, comprising Lychnis Viscaria splendens 
plena, Poppies, Pyrethrums, Aster alpinus superbus, 
Aquilegias, and Lupines (Silver Medal). Several 
balloon-trained, well-flowered specimens of the new 
hardy hybrid Clematis were also on view. C. coc- 
cinea is one of the parents of this race of plants 
which bids fair to be very useful (Large Bronze 
Medal). 
Mr R. Scott exhibited a great deal of taste in his 
arrangement of a most comprehensive group of 
flowering and foliage plants. The quality of the 
material here was very praiseworthy, Lilium 
Harrisii and two splendidly flowered and trained 
specimens of Clerodendron Balfourii being notable. 
Clumps of Spanish Iris were also used with good, 
effect in the front ranks. This exhibit well merited 
the Gold Medal which it received. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, King Street, Covent Garden 
were, as usual, well to the fore with hardy cut 
flowers. A collection of Irises was a conspicuous 
feature, and the quaint forms and brilliant colours 
and markings of the flowers were much admired. 
Aquilegias, Heuchera sanguinea, Violas, Geums, 
Agrostemma hybrida, and Hemerocallis flava were, 
amongst others things, exceeding bright and gay 
(Silver Medal). 
Messrs. John Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, S.E., ex¬ 
hibited an imposing group of miscellaneous plants, 
in which Caladiums figured very largely. Palms, 
Dracaenas, tuberous Begonias, both single and 
double, Ericas, Gloxinias, and Ficus elastica varie- 
gata were all represented by well grown and richly- 
coloured plants. It is seldom, indeed, that the 
Messrs. Laing have made a more effective display 
than on this occasion (Gold Medal). 
Mr. W. Rumsey, Joyning’s Nurseries, Waltham 
Cross, had a group of Cannas and Roses. Cut 
blooms of the latter included some beautiful samples 
of Perle de Jardin, Niphetos, and Catherine Mermet. 
Crimson Rambler in pots was also very effective 
(Large Silver Medal). 
N. N. Sherwood, Esq., Dunedin, Streatham Hill, 
exhibited Sweet Pea Pink Cupid, a pink form of the 
well known dwarf. 
The Floral Parade. 
This took place at three o'clock in the afternoon, 
and, owing to the rain, had to be held in the tent. 
The wet day was a most unfortunate occurrence, 
although the bright faces of the children amongst 
the bright flowers showed no trace of disappoint¬ 
ment. The wee exhibitors in all the glory of their 
transient floral finery filed round the tent and past 
the red-covered dais on which the Duke of Teck sat. 
The various floral devices were well executed and 
effective. The coveted " red banner,” signifying 
the best of all exhibits, fell to the lot of Miss Gar¬ 
field, for a group of gaily bedecked children repre¬ 
senting " Royal June.” The numbers 1837 and 1897 
were brought into great prominence. ” Mother's 
Queen,” by Mrs. Kirk, showed a child of some four 
or five summers, apparently seated in a small cart 
beneath a screen of yellow Spanish Irises, Marie 
Van Houtte Roses and Fern. The “ May Day 
Group ” of Mrs. Chamberlain showed a tasteful em¬ 
ployment of Roses, Smilax, and White Marguerites. 
Mr. A. F. Youens, as in previous years, sent a pretty 
sedan chair, and Mrs. Thomas a pony cart. Both 
of these received first prizes. Similar awards also 
