July 20, 1901. 
.THE GARDENING WORLD. 
753 
position, &c., which they are found in Nature's 
garden. Violets are shade-loving plants, also mois¬ 
ture-loving, and, as may be seen from the situations 
they grow in, they also delight in a vegetable soil. 
The main requirements, then, may be summed up 
in a few words—a shady border and a moist, rich, 
humic soil, sufficiently open to insure that it does 
not become sour. 
- »I* 
THE HERBACEOUS BORDER. 
The herbaceous border is pre-eminently at its best 
during this and the following month. It is now the 
fashionable part of the garden ; even the aristocratic 
Orchids have to stand back where the outdoor 
garden is concerned. To see the herbaceous plants 
now and to compare them with those which delighted 
our forefathers gives some idea of the good work 
being done by the enthusiastic florists. New varieties 
pour into the market every year and the few good 
things which our limited space will allow us to 
mention will only be as mere areolites in a firma¬ 
ment of novelties and beautiful productions. With 
such a supply to draw from one is in doubt as to 
which he should choose. 
Ostrowskia magnifica. — Although introduced 
as long ago as 1887 this handsome monotypic genus 
is still comparatively unknown to the general run of 
gardeners. The price has been somewhat high, per¬ 
haps that has accounted for the scarcity of it in 
small gardens. It cannot be because it is not worthy 
of a place in a collection, or because it is difficult to 
grow. A more noble flower is not to be found on 
the borders than this " Giant Bell Flower," as it is 
often called. The plant grows to the height of 4 ft. 
to 5 ft., and the flowers which are pearly white 
are delicately pencilled with lilac, or pale lilac blue, 
and are 4 in. across. It belongs to Campanulaceae, 
looks like a giant Campanula flower, and 
requires exactly the same treatment as the perennial 
species of that popular family. It has large tuberous 
roots, which, when grown in good soil, are often 2 ft. 
long. It grows best in a light, sandy, rich, deeply 
dug loam. The roots being so brittle it is 
impossible to propagate them by division in the 
same manner as many of the Campanulas are 
increased, but it is easily raised by sowiDg seeds in 
a cold frame as soon as they are ripe. It does 
not grow very quickly in its young state and is 
often three years before it flowers. When it is 
planted out in the border it should not be disturbed 
again for several years but the soil should be 
enriched by mulchings of manure during the winter. 
Its somewhat strange apellation it takes from a 
Russian Botanist after whom it is named. It was 
introduced from Central Asia. The chief district 
where it is found is in the mountains of Eastern 
Bohara. The leaves are lance shaped, toothed, and 
borne in whorls up the somewhat slender stems. 
Pentstemons. —There is scarcely a more hand¬ 
some genus of plants on the border than these old- 
fashioned flowers. Although old-fashioned, people 
confine themselves to a very few species and often 
neglect altogether some of the most handsome of the 
tribe. For instance, in how many gardens do we 
see that showy species known under the syn. of P. 
hirsutus, also under the name of P. mackayanus; 
its proper name is P. pubescens, which means 
downy, and is a well-chosen name. As a rule it is 
not a very tall grower, seldom exceeding 18 ins. in 
height, but it is a profuse bloomer and is a decided 
acquisition to every herbaceous border. The two 
predominating colours of the flowers are violet and 
white, but even on the same plant these colours are 
not fixed, for several of the flowers often show shades 
of purple, light blue, orange and lilac. It is a plant 
that delights in a rich warm soil and plenty of sun¬ 
shine. The sterile filament is very long, conspicu¬ 
ous and very much bearded. Although the name 
Pentstemon means five stamens there are never 
more than four perfect ones, the fifth being only a 
filament, the anther which should be at the top is 
always missing It is best raised from seed which 
should be sown about February in a gentle heat. 
Pentstemon barbatus. —This is another species 
which is far too often missed when selecting plants 
for the border. We will not say overlooked, for i 
must be because the plant is not sufficiently known 
that it is not seen more frequently. It is strange how 
long it takes for some plants to become kuown in 
places far away from botanic gardens and large nur¬ 
series. This plant was introduced to British gardens 
considerably over ico years ago, and yet its graceful 
panicles of carmine flowers are at present unknown 
to a great many large gardens. 
Ursinia pulchra.— This is a most handsome 
annual for the borders. Its native place is unknown, 
but most of the genus hail from S. Africa. It first 
flowered in Great Britain in 1836, and was then 
known under th9 name of Sphenogyne speciosa, 
which name it still retains as a synonym. It is a 
composite, and the ray florets, which are lanceolate 
in shape, have the appearance of having been bitten 
at the extremities; they are a lemon colour when 
the flower first opens, but soon change to a deep 
orange colour as it gets older. The base of each 
petal is a shiny black, and laying between the yellow 
disc and the orange rays it makes a very striking 
marking, and greatly adds to the beauty of the 
flower. It is quite a dwarf grower, and seldom 
exceeds the height of 9 in. to 12 in. 
Baeria coronaria. —This belongs to a small 
Lilium 
genus of plants, mostly Californian. Many of them 
are not considered worthy of cultivation, but the one 
under notice amply makes up for the deficiences of 
its sisters, and when in light soil and on a sunny 
border it makes a brilliant patch of yellow. It is 
very dwarf and requires an open position to do well. 
It grows freely in almost any ordinary garden soil, 
and should be sown in the spring as a half hardy 
annual. The genus was named after Professor Baer, 
of the Dorpat University. 
Collinsia bicolor. —To get the full effect of this 
handsome border annual it should be sown in 
patches, about April, and then thinned out to about 
2 in. apart. It requires seeing to be fully appre¬ 
ciated. It belongs to the Scropularineae order. The 
upper lip and the tube are white, and the lower lip 
a pretty rose-purple shade. It was introduced from 
California in 1833. There is a variety known as C. 
bartsiaefolia which is almost identical with C. 
bicolor, but has a little lighter coloured lip. It 
makes a very bright patch of colour and is conspicu¬ 
ous from a long distance. It usually flowers during 
July and August, but it may be had in bloom much 
earlier by sowing in the autumn and protecting the 
young plants with hand-lights.— P. L. 
LILIUM HENRYI. 
Since this was introduced from China a few years 
ago it has given great satisfaction in various parts of 
the country, making vigorous growth of 5 ft to 6 ft. 
or more in height. In general conformation it dis¬ 
plays evident affinity with L. speciosum, but is 
abundantly distinct for garden purposes, and even 
merits the title to be considered a distinct species 
The flowers are produced towards the apex of these 
stately stems and the spreading and arching 
branches allow the flowers to droop gracefully 
around the stems. In colour it is abundantly distinct 
from any other Lily except L. Batemanniae, L. 
Hansoni and L. elegans armeniacum. In all other 
respects it is abundantly distinct from any of those 
named, none of which can approach it for stateli¬ 
Henryi. 
ness. Some grand plants, grown in pots, were 
exhibited by Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Kilnfield 
Gardens, Colchester, at the Lily Conference held at 
Chiswick on Tuesday and Wednesday last. The 
accompanying illustration shows only the tip of a 
stem with one open and two flower buds. The 
plants themselves should be seen to be appreciated. 
Artificial Manures.—It is firmly believed by many 
farmers and horticulturists that artificial manures 
exhaust the soil. A series of experiments at the 
Agricultural Demonstration Station for the Wiltshire 
County Council have proved this to be a mistake. 
Artificial manures like everything else require 
judicious application, and the nature of the soil to 
which they are applied should always be one of the 
first considerations. The recent experiments prove 
that, when properly applied, instead of exhausting 
the soil they contribute to a material increase of the 
fertility of the land. 
