October 15. 1004 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
827 
Magnolia stellata. 
For gardens of moderate size few of the Magnolias are more 
suitable for planting than that under notice. It flowers while 
quite* in a, small state, and if plants are kept in different situa¬ 
tions, a succession of bloom may be kept up* for weeks unless 
an unusually severe late frost should damage the early ones. 
As a rule, only those flowers which are fully expanded are 
affected by a, night’s frost, and that only if the plants are in 
such a, position as to be fully exposed to the morning sun. 
Our illustration shows a. plant which was* grown on the north 
side of a hedge, and owing to the shade produced by that, 
situation only about half of the flowers had expanded at. the 
end of the third week in April. In more sunny situations it, 
would come into bloom at the end of March or the beginning 
of April. . 
Plants may commence flowering wlien only 12 in. high, and 
they take some years before they reach the full height of 
which this shrub* is capable. The* specimen represented was* 
only about. 3| ft. high, and was* photographed in, the* nursery 
of Messrs, Barr and Sons*, at Long Ditton, Surrey. It, is also 
useful for the planting of beds, and the finest effects are pro¬ 
duced by it's white flowers when seen in. a mass. It, is* notable 
for the large number of petals to the flowers. Many are 
familiar with it in gardens* under the name of M. halleana. 
Montbretias. 
About two dozen or more species of Tritonia (commonly 
named Montbretias) are known to science as natives* of South 
Africa. Several of these have been, introduced from time to* 
time and cultivated chiefly in greenhouses. Unless they have 
some special features* to* recommend them, their cultivation 
under these conditions is intermittent and liable to* be inter¬ 
rupted or neglected at recurrent periods. These South African 
plants are nearly hardy, but owing to their making their 
growth rather early in the season, they are unable to overcome 
the severity of o*ur climate. 
The introduction of T. Pottsii in. 1877 gave a fresh zeal to 
the cultivation of the genus when it was found to be hardy. 
For a number of years, however, cultivators only put* out a 
few conns* tentatively, and apparently in, doubt as to its actual 
hardiness*. Since then, however, many cultivators have dis¬ 
covered that the whole* race is perfectly hardy through the 
greater portion of the British Islands, but more especially 
within, reasonable distance of the sea. At the same time, 
they do grow inland and even in the far north. 
The introduction of the original type just named has been 
chiefly instrumental in making the* genus popular by being 
hybridised with Tritonia aurea, otherwise known as, Crocosmia 
auraa. The first hybrid was named Montbretia crocosmia,e- 
flora, but since then a whole host of beautiful forms has arisen 
as* a result of crossing the two species properly named Tritonia. 
The original T. Pottsii is still in cultivation in certain, 
gardens, but most cultivators* prefer the large-flowered hybrids 
on account of the more .striking effect when the plants are in 
bloom. The wild species* is, however, very pretty for decora¬ 
tive purposes in the cut state, either mixed with other flowers 
or in vases by itself. The whole host, of hybrids owe their 
beiauty to the size of the original flowers of T. aurea in com¬ 
bination with the orange-red of T. Pottsii. 
Those who like to* grow this class of plants should select, a 
friable and rich soil, well drained, but retaining sufficient, mois¬ 
ture for the needs of the plants during the summer months*. 
In the midlands and northern parts of Britain there is usually 
little difficulty in the matter of moisture, as the rainfall in. 
most, years is sufficient to keep the soil moist during the grow¬ 
ing periods ol the plants. This also applies with equal force 
to the relatively moist climate of Ireland. In the south of 
England, however, during the recurrence of droughty seasons, 
a difficulty is experienced in, keeping the foliage of the plants* 
of a healthy green colour. Possibly it would be difficult in 
any case to* foresee that a. droughty summer was going to 
ensue, otherwise the cultivators might make* provision for 
coping with this* contingency. 
There are, however, successful cultivators in the south who 
take this precaution in any season and plant their Montbretias 
in rich, moist soils near the margins of streams, and ponds 
where the* soil is kept moist by circulation from the stream or 
pond. Under such conditions the plants make healthy and 
free growth, retaining the vigour *and greenness of their foliage, 
whether the season be droughty o*r otherwise. That being the 
case, there can he no* doubt of the production, of flowers* in 
quantity over a long period. 
There* are gardens 1 , however, where the presence of a lake 
or stream does not, exist. In such a case it is necessary for the 
cultivator to select a position in his garden where it will ho 
least difficult to* keep* the plants moist in droughty weather. 
If shade can be* secured by the presence of trees sufficiently 
distant not to overhang the plants*, then the difficulties will be 
lessened. The soil, if good, should be trenched to the depth of 
at least 18 in., and the staple improved by the addition of 
Magnolia stellata. 
well-decayed manure and leaf-soil. Manure of any kind should 
not comei in contact with the conns* after being planted, so 
that the cultivator should be careful to* mix it well with the 
soil, and put it just below the level at which the* eo*rms are to 
be planted. The addition, of manure and leaf-soil greatly im¬ 
proves* the moisturei-holding capacity of the soil, so that with 
the addition of a go*o*d watering from the hose or garden engine 
at intervals, there should be no difficulty in cultivating these 
beautiful plants in any part of the British Islands, ait low eleva¬ 
tion®, at, least. 
M here the soil is of a heavy and clayey nature it must either 
be ameliorated nr entirely replaced by a prepared compost, so 
as to make the conditions more suitable for the Montbretias. 
A skilful cultivator can also make a compost that will prove 
suitable to these and other South African plants. As. to what 
lie* may use, it, will largely depend upon what he has at com¬ 
mand, and the* mixture will entirely depend upon his wood 
judgment, and skill. 
M hen Montbretias are planted in private gardens purely for 
decorative effect, the best, plan would be to* insert conns* about, 
