152 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 20. 1904. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Sidalcea oandidaiRosy Gem.—This new variety, which re¬ 
ceived an Award of Merit during last autumn, is one that will 
prove a distinct addition to this small family. I he well- 
known S. Candida, though a pleasing plant, is hardly suitable 
for the choice border unless the roots can be severely restricted, 
for in good soil it is apt to spread too. rapidly. S. Rosy Gem, 
however, lacks this undesirable quality, and on the front of the 
mixed border, standing above the surrounding occupants, it 
is a charming sight. The flow are single, of medium size, 
rich pink in colour, and are well arranged on stiff stems about 
2J ft. in height. 
Heuchera sanguinea Shirley.—There are several very de¬ 
sirable. forms of H. sanguinea, all of which are of great value 
for Cutting purposes, but the above has an entirely different 
habit, being more .suitable for border decoration, and is fai 
superior to any other variety for. thisi purpose. For its intro¬ 
duction we are indebted to Messrs. Ladhams, of the Shiiley 
Nurseries., Southampton, where I saw it growing last summer. 
The. flowers are very large, deep crimson in colour, and pro¬ 
duced freely on. very stout, branching stems about. 3 ft. in 
height, - Each stem needed supporting, and as the plants were 
growing in very poor soil one might reasonably predict much 
finer results than the. above if this Heuchera were given good 
soil and attention. 
Dracocephalum speciosum.—Though by jio means a new . 
plant, this variety does not appear at present to. be so. widely 
grown as it deserves ) yet it is. one of'the most, ornamental 
border plants we have., and is ; certainly the best of this family. 
A fairly good soil in an open position is necessary to produce 
the best results, and several plants should be grouped together 
near the front, of the border if one wishes to. have a. mass of 
reddish-purple colour. Propagation is easily effected by divi¬ 
sion of the root stock in autumn or early spring, and plenty of 
water should be given in dry weather. 
Monarda didyma Cambridge Scarlet.—A most desirable ad¬ 
dition to this pleasing family, which, I believe, originated in 
the Cambridge; Botanic Gardens. The old .border perennial, 
M. didyma., has long been a favourite* with lovers of hardy 
plants owing to its distinct colour and pleasing scent, which 
will continue to. be appreciated ; but. Cambridge Scarlet, as the 
name implies, is a bright scarlet in colour, and deserves to. 
he included in all collections. 
Two. other excellent varieties .are M. purpurea, with purple 
flowers, and M. rosea, a pleasing shade, of rose, both of which 
produce fine effects when used in quantity. 
Spiraea Ulmaria plena.-—Though this is only the double 
form of the common Meadow Sweet, it. is a. plant of undoubted 
merit, and one that, can be used with striking effect, in the 
garden, especially if a fair-sized bed be devoted entirely to it. 
The flowers are very double, creamy-white in colour, and pro¬ 
duced in large heads on stems 3 ft, in height. The foliage 
also is large, deep green in colour, and pleasingly divided. 
Two other very fine Spiraeas are S. palmata alba, a pure 
white form of the Japanese variety, and S. p. elegans, which 
has flowers slightly tinged with pink. Both of these succeed 
to perfection if grown in a damp, somewhat shady spot, with 
soil of a sandy nature. 
Campanula carpatica Isabel.—Mr. Prichard, of Christ¬ 
church, is responsible for the; introduction of this fine Harebell, 
and lovers of the dwarf-growing section will, I am sure, wel¬ 
come this as an -excellent addition. For. the front of the 
border it is quite one of the best of the family, having very 
large, deep blue flowers on stem® about 1 ft, in height, which 
•are produced with remarkable freedom. 
Geum Heldreichi superhum.—A recent addition to this valu¬ 
able class of plants, and a distinct improvement on the old G. 
Heldreichi, being much deeper in colour, and the flower stem., 
are produced with great freedom. Tliis variety hardly ever 
seems to be without some flowers, and on the front of the 
border when planted in group® a mass of colour is obtained 
over .a long period. 
Border Pinks.—Those who appreciate the taller-growing 
Pinks, both for border decoration, and using in -a. cut state, will 
find the undermentioned varieties of great worth, as they are 
all distinct in colour, about. 1 ft, in height, and have strong 
constitutions. They include Marion, Florence, Evelyn, and 
Bedbraes. T. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Apricots -—The necessary pruning and training of these will 
have btui finished ere this. Even those planted the last 
autumn must no. longer be delayed, as the buds are fast swell¬ 
ing up ; but should pressure of other work have, caused them to 
be overlooked, set them in order at once, shortening last 
season’s growths that were trained in to a well-ripened wood 
bud, and maiden trees should he cut back to within a foot of 
their union with the stock, with a view to form 
the. foundation of the future tree, and to furnish 
the base of the wall with fruiting wood. Apricots 
being the first hardy fruit to expand their blossoms, 
the necessary material should be got in order that all may be 
in readiness against; the first, flowers open, many of which, I 
fear, will be imperfect after such an unfavourable summer for 
ripening the wood. A simple and inexpensive protection is 
to drive stout poles, or 2-in. quartering, into the- ground about 
3 ft, from the. base, of the wall, the tops to rest against, the 
coping, and secured there with nail’s or wire, these to stand 
10 ft. or 12 ft. asunder, and against these, double or treble 
folds of fish, netting are securely fastened from the a.pex to 
reach downwards .as 'low as- where the blossom is. A stout piece 
of string running top and bottom from end to. end to tie the 
netting will make it secure, and at the angle named will keep 
it clear of the trees. Where ^-m. square mesh netting is 
used a double thickness should prove ample in, most, districts, 
and can remain stationary until the fruits are set. Like re¬ 
marks apply to the Peach and Nectarine as regards pruning, 
washing', and training before the. buds are too. far advanced 
without danger of being washed off. 
Strawberries.—In my last, calendar of hardy fruit I gave 
full details .a® to the. preparation of the soil for the reception of 
forced plants, later in the season. These remarks stand good 
where, it. is intended to plant new beds this spring, with runners 
from nursery beds. Lift carefully with a trowel, preserving 
all roots possible, and plant 12 in. to 18 in. .apart in rows 2 ft. 
to 2 ft, 6 in. .asunder, the variety Royal Sovereign requiring 
the. greater distance, as they make robust foliage. Every 
other plant, should be grubbed out next year after fruiting. 
Do not attempt to plant, while, the ground is in such a sad¬ 
dened state, but take, advantage, to carry out this work as 
soon, as possible, after this date when the soil is in a. workable 
state, planting very firm, and mulch the plants in case of 
hard frost setting in, which it may do yet. 
Blackberries.—This fruit, is not nearly so much grown a- 
its merits deserve, some of the newer varieties yielding verj 
fine fruits, especially the Mahdi, introduced by Messrs. Vedtcli 
of Chelsea, The American varieties are large, but. require 
different, summer.- to the past two to be of much value, in tlii 
country, and probably the best all-round variety is Laciniatu; 
•or the. Parsley-leaved Blackberry. They require similar treat 
ment. as recommended for Raspberries, and may yet. b< 
planted. Then we have the new American fruit Loganberry 
which does well in this country treated as the Raspberry, tb 
fruit making capital jam, and may even .be used for desser 
when thoroughly ripe. Rubus Phocuiooila.siius, the Japancs 
Winebemy, is also a useful fruit for jam, and all the abov. 
