500 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
•Tune 18. 1904. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Aralias. -—The number of these in commerce is not large, but 
all are highly ornamental foliage shrubs, and, owing to> the 
tropical appearance which some have, they are well worthy of a 
place in the mixed shrubbery. All of them may be said to 
succeed in any moderately good soil, and are perfectly hardy, 
except, perhaps, in, the extreme north and most exposed parts 
of the country. The Japanese Aralia or Fatsia, japonica is 
probably the best known, and largely grown as a pot plant, but 
it succeeds well outside if given a, protected position where cold, 
north-east winds cannot hurt the foliage. In such a position , 
it forms a shrub from 8 ft. to 10 ft. in, height,, and flowers 
during late autumn. These are produced in large umbels, a,nidi 
are ivory-white in colour, but asi early frosts often spoil them, 
its chief beauty is in the handsome pale green foliage. 
A. mandsiohurica, more generally known under the name of 
Dimorpha.nthus mandschuricusi, is certainly one 1 of the hand¬ 
somest of hardy shrubs, and might with advantage be more 
extensively used!, for when seen in full leaf or carrying its) 
immense racemes of creamy-white flowers it cannot fail to be 
admired. The foliage isi of immense size, and produced gen¬ 
erally from the tip of the stem, but sometimes also from side- 
growths', and ini autumn, assumes a pleasing colour. The stems 
are covered with sharp, spines, and ini winter this shrub, has a 
novel appearance, owing to its rugged bark and peculiar habit 
of growth. Singly in the shrubbery it makes, ai grand speci¬ 
men, and, if space can he allowed, a, group' makes an, imposing 
display in the pleasure grounds! 
The variegated form of this, A. mandschurica albo-marginata, 
is one of the best new shrubs that have been introduced for 
some time. It is an exceedingly handsome form, and in every 
respect similar to the typical plant, except that the leaves are 
very pleasingly variegated with white, which give® it a, most 
striking appearance. 
A. Maximowiezii is one of the least, known, hut a most effec¬ 
tive shrub', with dark green foliage, resembling in shape and 
size the Castor-oil plant-; hence the synonym, Acanthopanax 
rioinifolia, which it is sometimes known as. This is not a, fast 
grower, and is perhaps seen to the best advantage when, grown 
as a standard, so that its beautiful foliage can, be seen, above 
the surrounding subjects. 
A. pent apliylla is a small-leaved species, very deep' green, in 
colour, and forms a close bush of medium size. This is de¬ 
sirable for the mixed border, but the variegated form is more 
conspicuous. 
Spiraea bracteata.—This species*, like many other Spiraeas, 
lias white flowers, which are very freely produced in corymbs 
along the graceful shoots. It is certainly on.e of the best of 
this family, and is valuable on account of its late flowering, a® 
it is not seen to perfection until quite the first week in, June, 
when, many others are over. It forms a spreading busih, with] 
slightly drooping branches', and does not appear to exceed 3 ft. 
in, height. 
Climbing Roses. —These are looking remarkably well this 
season, and should give a fine display of bloom,. That ex¬ 
cellent variety, Paul’s Carmine Pillar, is the first to flower 
with us, and is one of the best for growing asi a Pillar Rose, 
as it is very fast, soon reaching a height of 15 ft., and the 
bright carmine flowers make a beautiful display. The growths 
of these will now need loosely tying in, and a,s insect peistisl 
are sure to appear, a syringing of some reliable insecticide 
should he given in the evening, and be washed off next morn¬ 
ing with clear water. To clean, the plants thoroughly the 
syringing should be repeated in, about a week or ten days. 
Rosa rugosa, Blanche Double de Coubert.—This' is a, very 
fine variety of the well-known, rugosa,, with semi-double pure 
white flowers, which are deliciously scented and excellent for 
cutting purpose®, if cut before the buds commence to expand, 
when they will last a long time in water. It forms a close,' 
spreading bush, and either for bedding or as single specimens 
is one of the best of Roses. A. E Thatcher 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
The Cool House .—The various species which are classed as 
suitable for cool-house treatment, such as Masdevallias, Maxil- 
1 arias, Milt on ins, Restrepia®, Pleurothallis, Oncidiums and 
Odontoglossums suffer more from excessive heat in summer 
than from a, reasonable cold period in winter. The principal 
cause, perhaps, for this is in the fact that having to some 
extent become exhausted from the strain of flowering, the more 
delicate state of the plant has less resisting power to withstand 
the hot, dry condition® of the summer period, and shrinking 
of pseudo-bulb,s and loss of foliage are the general results from 
such causes. To guard against and diminish, as far as possible, 
these undesirable effects' must be' the principal aim of those in 
charge of the plants. 
. The atmosphere of the house is one of the chief considera¬ 
tions. There are cultivators who make a golden, rule that the 
occupants of the cool house must, have full ventilation, and, 
a.s they term it, free circulation of air among the plants at all 
times. Now,-as the climatic conditions of our country are so 
varied and altered by situation, to follow such a rule and grow 
the plants successfully is altogether out of the question. °The 
discretion of the grower in the application of the best methods 
must therefore determine the cultivation and the production, of 
results. Thei progress made in the cultivation of Odontoglos- 
sums during the past three or four years has been remarkable. 
I attribute this to the more enlightenment we have obtained 
by experiments that have been radical departures from the 
golden rule above mentioned. We have discovered that it is 
possible to keep the cool house too cold in winter. That normal 
conditions of 55 deg. are preferable to permitting the ther¬ 
mometer to fall below 50 deg. That free circulation and the 
system, of wide-open, ventilation is not conducive to obtaining 
the best results, only under certain, conditions' that are not 
frequently obtainable. It, is here that the experience and close 
observation of the cultivator is taxed and results obtained, 
the wide-open ventilators permitting 'the moisture in the 
atmosphere to escape, and the dry conditions' then remaining 
being generally altogether unsuitable to the requirements of 
the coohliouse Orchids. 
It, is therefore apparent that while we endeavour to provide 
ample ventilation about the plants, under ordinary circum¬ 
stances, it is desirable to provide other means of keeping the 
house® cool during spells of hot, dry weather than that of too: 
free us© of the roof ventilation. The blinds play their part 
towards this fend, and if ample space is left between the out¬ 
side of the roof and the cn,nva,s blinds, so' that air may pass 
freely over the glassi, great benefit® are obtainable. 
In some localities and with different aspects of the house? 
additional shading may be required for the next, six or eight 
weeks. A few mats spread along the roof during the hottest 
part of the day, or sprinkling the roofs with whitning mixed ir 
milk and a little sia.lt added, will be found of advantage. Fre : 
quent, damping of the floors', staging, and among the pots will 
aid the supply of moisture in, the atmosphere, while a fine 
overhead sp-ray once or twice a day will also be beneficial under 
favourable outside conditions. H. J. 
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