June 25, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
519 
The Flower Garden. 
Tte planting-out of summer bedding plants is now nearly 
finished, and while this lias been in progress much other work 
has accumulated in connection with the flower garden. 
Next year's spring flowering stuff now calls for attention. 
Seedlings of various kinds from seeds sown last month are 
now fit for pricking out in nursery beds, and should have atten¬ 
tion as soon as the state of other work allows. 
The various varieties of Forget-me-nots are extremely 
popular, and generally do; well in any fairly moist soil. Myosotis 
alpestris is a favourite specie®, and ha,s given rise to several 
fine garden varieties. 
Myosotis alpestris Victoria is a compost-growing, frea-flcwer- 
ino- variety of much merit. Thei flowers are freely produced as 
is usually the case in this) genus, and the colour is a clear bright 
blue. 
Myosotis alpestris gracilis is of rather freer growth tha.nl 
the former, and, on the whole, makes a rather larger plant. 
Several white and pink varieties of Myoeotisi are to be had, 
but these cannot always bei relied on to come true from seed, 
and in any case are not to be compared with the blue varieties. 
Pansies, as mentioned in an earlier issue, form a desirable 
feature in the flower garden in spring and early summer. 
Seeds may still be sown and will yield nice plants by autumn,; 
the strain known! as Parisian Giant Improved is a fine one, and 
yields a nice variety of colour, with large bold flowers. 
After th.e flowering season is over, Aubretias, Alyssums, 
Iberis, etc,, may be readily propagated by cuttings of the new 
growths; these will root in a cold frame, keeping close and 
shaded for a week or two. 
Aubrietia deltoidea graeca, of a light mauve colour, is useful, 
while the variety Bougainvillea is also worth growing. 
Aubrietia d. Hendersoni is one of the best, and fairly well 
known; the flowers are a, very dark purple, not unlike the 
lovely variety known as Dr. Mule’s Aubrietia. Of roise-col 
cured varieties, Aubrietia d. Leichtlini is one of the best. 
The Candytufts are well-known spring and early summer- 
flowering plants, the best known being Iberis Senipervirens. 
Other good varieties) are Iberis s. garrexiana, a remarkably 
free-flowering kind of compact growth, producing smaller 
flower-heads and not growing quite so tall as the type. Iberis 
s. Perfection, is a very fine variety of stronger growth than the 
type, and producing handsome spikes of pure white flowers. 
Thei Alyssums are also popular spring-flowering plants, and 
may be increased as above. 
Alyssum saxatile compactum is a neat, free-flowering form 
of thei type, and the variety “ citrinum” is a pale yellow form 
well worth growing. 
B. W. J. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Polygonums.—Of this family there are not many species or 
varieties in general cultivation, but what we have; are all 
worthy of inclusion in every collection of hardy plants. There 
is such a diversity of form, too, that while some are best suited 
for a position where unlimited space is at command, others 
only need a small chink ini the rock-garden, and some are 
medium-sized plants suitable for the choice herbaceous border. 
Polygonums succeed well in almost any soil, providing it is 
well worked, and a slightly damp, position suits them to per¬ 
fection, so, that they are valuable for water-side planting, and 
in such a position very fine and bold effects can be produced. 
The best for this purpose are P. sacbalinense, a gigantic plant 
from 10 ft, to 12 ft, in height, with Bamboo-like stems, large 
foliage, and white flowers. This should be allowed ample 
space when planting, as it increases quickly at the root, and 
makes a fine specimen. P. cuspidaturn is the next- largest 
grower, which reaches a height of about 8 ft., and, like 
the former, makes a splendid specimen in any position 
on the grass. In the shrubbery, too; both can be used witli 
advantage, but care must be taken then that they do, not spread 
too much at the root to the detriment of shrubs, etc. This 
also; has white flowers, and the slightly drooping branches 
render the plant a most effective one. Of this species there 
is a very useful variety named P. cuspidaturn compactum, 
which only grows, between 2 ft, and 3 ft, in height, and is 
therefore most useful for the border. The young shoots in 
spring are deep crimson;, but, this colour changes to green as 
the growth® expand. It forms a symmetrical, much-branched 
bush, covered in late summer with a profusion of white flowers, 
and is particularly valuable for the border, because it does not 
rim freely at the root, asi with some of the other sorts. P. 
cymosum is another excellent border plant, and quite one of 
the best- for autumn flowering. It should be given s uffi cient, 
space to fully develop, and when covered with its large heads 
of white flowers is a most attractive sight. 
P. amplexicaule is a most distinct specie®, well suited for the 
mixed border, and during late summer and autumn it makes a 
good show of deep crimson colour. The flowers are produced 
on long, slender stems, and are most useful for cutting. There 
is, a, white variety of this charming plant which is similar in 
every respect, except colour. 
P. Bistorba also resembles P. amplexicaule in habit, but the 
flowers are) a pleasing rose shade, and it blooms during the early 
summer. P. affine (Rrunonis) is a charming plant for the 
rockery or front of the border, and in any position it seems 
to grow and flower without any attention. It also makes an 
excellent edging, and when covered with it® great quantities of 
pink flowers is a most pleasing sight, P. sphaerostaebyum is 
a little-known Himalayan species! growing about 6 in. in height, 
and having small deep- crimson spikes of flower 1 . It- is a beau¬ 
tiful rock plant if one is able to succeed with it. P. vaocini- 
foliuni is a very pleasing rock plant with creeping stems and 
miniature spikes of pink flowers. 
Lychnis Viscaria splendens plena. —Though an old and, to 
many, a familiar plant, this double Lychnis still remains one 
of the best of June-flowering subjects, and when seen in good 
condition no- other dwarf plant surpasses it- for making an 
effective display on the front of the border. It is a, free 
grower on most soils, but on wet; heavy land it is advisable 
to pot or box up annually some plants' so as to ensure a stock, 
for it is liable' to damp- off in a wet season. The double 
bright, red flowers are produced thickly on stems, about 1 ft. 
in height, and to- prevent these breaking down a light support 
is necessary. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Interesting Orchids for a Cool House. 
In the early days of or'chidology, Masdevallias were some¬ 
what despised; possibly the cultural requirements were not 
understood, and their being subjected to a high temperature 
was very detrimental to this interesting class of plants. At 
the present time they occupy a high place among Orchids 
suitable for a cool house, but even now they are not grown 
to the extent they deserve ; the same applies to many plants, 
and I will venture to give a few hints on some that will be at 
home in a,n ordinary Odo-ntoglo'ssum bouse. 
Masdevallia should be grown in a cool, moist atmosphere 
and never be allowed to get dry a,t, the roots, as they enjoy 
plenty of water during thei summer, but nothing approaching 
stagnation. In the winter months less water will be needed, 
and the moisture in the house must be regulated according to 
the conditions, outside; or the dreaded " spot will appear and 
cause much disfigurement to the leaves. 
Masdevallias may be divided into two. groups—the larger- 
growing species; which will thrive in ordinary pots; and the 
more quaint and curious section (Ghimaera variegata) must 
be grown, in baskets on account of their flower-scapes being 
produced through the bottom and sides of the bars. There aie 
many small-growing ones which are best suited foi pans, as all 
small.Masdevallias do not like a large quantity of s-oil about 
their roots. 
A good compost consists of fibrous peat, chopped sphagnum. 
