590 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 23. 1904. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Early flowering Phloxes. —This section, of the perennial 
Phlox, which flowers) 'during 1 July, may well be considered one 
of the most showy and best of border plants, as nothing gives 1 
a better display of bloom during the early summer, and they 
are also easily cultivated 1 and within the reach of all. Some 
groups) m the mixed borders: are now making a fine show, and 
for massing in beds by themselves they are invaluable where 
a wealth of bloom isi desired. The best soil in which to culti¬ 
vate them is a fairly heavy loam which has been well worked 
and plenty of manure incorporated, though, failing this, they 
will do well ini almost any sioil providing the necessary atten¬ 
tion is bestowed upon them.. The best results are obtained 
by growing six or eight stemsi to a plant, and if the growths 
were thinned out as advised in early spring some fine trusses 
should now be seen. In dry weather 1 copious supplies of water 
should be given', as these like a moist root run, and soon 
show signs of distress) if allowed to suffer for the want of it. 
After the plants have been in the same position for 1 three or 
mere years it will be necessary, if their vigour is to be main¬ 
tained 1 , to take them up and divide the crowns. The ground 
should be well worked 1 , and when ready for replanting the 
roots should be out into pieces, replanting the outside and not 
the middle of the stock. Propagation cam be done in this way 
and in several others, the moist general one being from cuttings 
in spring. The young growths should be taken off about- the 
end of March and inserted in small pots., placing them in a 
slight heat till rooted. By growing these along as single stems: 
some very large heads are obtained 1 . Pieces of root cut. into 
lengths and treated in the same way a® cuttings is; also another 
method, and if one wishes to obtain fresh colours, seed should 
be sown early in spring in heat and potted on until ready for 
planting. 
A good selection would be found among the following: — 
Miss Lingard; white*; Peinge, white, pink eye; The Shah, rosy 
purple; James) Thompson, deep rose; Attraction, white, crim¬ 
son, eye; Cleopatra, crimson; Mrs. Forbes, pure white; Rosy 
Gem, deep rose; and Mrs. J. Robertson, rich lilac. 
Sidalceas.—The perennial Mallows are very useful plants for 
the mixed border, and well worthy of inclusion in any collection 
of hardy plants. When planted close to the edge and allowed 
to stand above the other subjects) they are, perhaps, seen to 
the best advantage. They, are of easy culture, succeeding in| 
the majority of soils, and the-propagation can be effected by 
division of the root stock ini autumn or spring. 
Sidalcea Candida is the most common, with spikes of white 
flowers), and it is showy when seen ini a mass. Of this there is 
an excellent new variety named Rosy Gem, which is a first- 
class plant and a welcome addition. It is not, nearly such a 
free grower as S. Candida, and the flowers are large : and; deep, 
noisy pink in colour. This variety comes* into flower about a 
fortnight later than the others. S. malvaeflorai has pale red 1 
flowers, and of this there is also; a very beautiful variety named 
Listerii, which, with Rosy Gem, are the two most desirable of 
the family. The colour iisi a very pale pink, and the flowers 
are produced freely on a branching, slender spike between three 
and four feet in, height-. This variety is not a strong grower, 
and needs some attention to keep; it in; a- flourishing condition,, 
especially on wet, heavy soils, where it is apt to rot off in 
winter. It is therefore advisable to put up some plants in 
the autumn,. S. murrayana, isi anlother new form with deep 
rose flowers, and is very distinct in habit and colour of the 
foliage. 
As the dry spell continues the borders must, be well soaked 
frequently to keep- the plants in, a healthy growing condition, 
and especially does this apply to those which are not deeph 
rooted subjects,—A. E. Thatcher, Aldemham House Gardens, 
Elstree. 
The Flower Garden. 
In localities where the soil is of a light, sandy nature, tu 
is now suffering severely. If possible a thorough waterii 
should be given, particularly in the vicinity of flower bed 
nothing showing these off to better advantage than a fre 
greensward'. Lawns that were repeatedly rolled in ear 
spring withstand protracted -drought much better than tho 
which did not receive tills attention. 
Most of the flower beds are now filling up nicely, ai 
already make a, good show. Where mixed bedding is carri 
out attention must be given to regulating the growth of son 
plants which grow stronger than others. Artemisia arbore 
Solanum pyracanthum, Fuchsias, etc., used in mixed folia 
beds, require to be thinned out or cut back occasionally, 
they are apt toi overgrow better things, such as Coleus, Cnici 
Cotyledons, etc. 
Fuchsias are largely used for bedding purposes in ma- 
good gardens, and well grown, thoroughly hardened plants v 
flower satisfactorily throughout the. summer. There are ma • 
different varieties used in different gardens, and among cthe 
we find Mrs. Marshall, Crimson Bedder, Alexandrima, at 
nmcrostemma doing well. Of Fuchsias 1 with coloured folia 
F. macrostemma variegata, is remarkably pretty, of a fi- 
habiti of growth, and associating well with many other plan 
having bronze foliage or scarlet flowers. F. Wave of Life; 
nlow being used with good effect, and constitutes a valuab 
addition to the long list of flower garden plants. The flow - 
are riot remarkable, but the golden foliage is very handset. 
The better known F. Sunray i ; s also an admirable subject, :r 
mixed beds; and Regalia, a variety with lovely golden folia , 
completes a quartette of good things. 
Under the garden name of “ Pinks” the cultivated variets 
of Dianthusi plumarihis are numerous. A most delightful ai 
at, the same time most useful bed may be made up 1 of the w.- 
known variety Mrs. Sinkinls, or better still, Her Majesty; 11 
varieties in, several colours are now plentiful, and amc? 
others may be mentioned The Rector (white with rosy pure 
centre), Anne Boleyn (rosy purple), and many others. Pipi.s 
may be taken as soon as, most of the flowers are over; tlr 
should be removed with a slight heel, merely removing a tv 
of thle lower 1 leaves and inserting thickly in sandy soil iia 
cold frame, preferably with a northern aspect. When a sii- 
cienti number has) been inserted give a thorough soaking, id 
keep close and shaded 1 for a week or two, affording jus a 
crack of air in the daytime to' allow of the escape of sup- 
fluomsi moisture. 
Dimorphotheca Ecklonis, a pretty blue and white flowe d 
South African plant, is not very generally met with in garths, 
and where grown Is usually accorded greenhouse treatnut. 
It, may, however, be successfully used in. the flower garca. 
Cuttings) of young growths will root ini heat almost any t ie 
during the suriimer, and should be grown on under greenhese 
conditions for a season before bedding out. The plant i a 
composite, the disc florets being deep blue* and the rav flo r 
white. Like many other South African plants, the inflo - 
cence closes in the absence of sun, but when fully expan. 
are very beautiful.—B. W. J. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cultural Remarks. —The Mexican LaeTias, Dendrobiums, id 
other sun-loving species of Orchids are particularly suiteepy 
excessive close and hot weather, providing that a correspond? 
amount of vapour is retained in the atmosphere to an ly 
provide the moisture requirements of the plants. This neps- 
•siity can only he provided by careful observation and |uo 
consideration- of the variable conditions which may preiil 
outside. In particularly dry and bright weather, where ,ut 
little shade and free ventilation is provided, it is remarkfJo 
hew quickly the moisture is abstracted, and to retain pc 
desired conditions frequent syringing overhead and dam; g 
the floors- and stagings become necessary, but care must 
