TUB GARDENING WORLD . 
August 
15, 1908. 
5 2 9 
l Fine Bird’s-eye . . 
- PRIMROSE - 
M : ■ ~ ~ I 
(Primula frondosa). ' 
There are several species of Primula 
•hich belong to the same type as our 
ative P. farinosa, and the plant which we 
ere illustrate represents one of the finest 
,f this tvpe. Each plant produces a cir- 
ular tuft or rosette of numerous leaves 
,f a light sea green above and more or 
ess mealy beneath. The flowers are 
iroduced in a terminal umbel and are of 
bright rosy purple with a yellow eye 
hat may be likened to that of a bird. The 
capes are only a few inches high. 
The plant is usually raised from seed, 
aid as it would be unsafe to rear them 
n the open, owing to the great loss which 
voilld be sustained, the best plan is to 
ow them in a mixture of loam, sand and 
eaf mould in nearly equal proportions, 
md keep the pans in a closed frame until 
hey germinate. The tiny seedlings may 
, e pricked off into fresh soil after they 
lave made, the first rough leaf. They 
ould then be potted off singly or put 
.everal together in 5m. pots, where, they 
vill make good growth during the season 
ind come into bloom about the beginning 
if May in the following year. Our illus- 
ration shows a potful of plants kept in a 
:old frame until spring, and then placed 
n the Alpine House at Kew. 
-- 
3oloured Barks 
For Winter Effect. 
One of the most satisfactory kinds of 
jffective colour in th"e pleasure grounds 
luring the dull winter months is that 
vhich is of a lasting and permanent kind. 
This is obtained by means of various trees 
ind shrubs which have highly coloured 
md polished looking bark. All plants 
ecommended for this work admit of a 
method of culture that would, in the 
najority of cases, prove disastrous if 
lowers were desired, consequently the first 
issential quality is that they should be 
:heap and easily procurable, and also m 
irder to obtain the best results it is neces¬ 
sary to mass them in clumps of one 
variety, each of which should cover a 
airly large space of ground. 
Undoubtedly the Willows stand first in 
:very respect; almost every colour obtain- 
ible in bark, with the exception perhaps 
rf a good brown, is to be had in the genus 
Salix. Then again, provided the soil is 
.relatively moist, even though flooded at 
:imes, its quality either mechanically or 
rhemically is not of very great import¬ 
ance. They may be planted at any time 
luring winter, when the soil is workable, 
and they should be placed two feet apart 
| each way in the clumps. The size of these 
must be governed: by the amount of 
ground at disposal, and the ideas of the 
I awner. Pruning is the principal part of 
'heir culture, and it should be strictly 
'arried out every vear during March, as 
it is only on the young strong shoots that 
the bright colours are developed. The 
method of procedure is tc cut them right 
Primula frondosa. Maclaren and Sons. 
down to within an inch of their base, m 
the same way as is practised in Osier 
beds. These prunings form a ready 
means of propagation, as if cut into 
lengths about io inches long, and inserted 
firmly in sandy soil, every one will pro¬ 
duce’a plant fit for using the following- 
year. 
The following may be considered a re¬ 
presentative selection :—Salix alb a 
argentea is generally named regalis in 
catalogues. The bark has a fine silvei 
grey appearance in winter, being covered 
with a soft mealy substance. The foliage 
also is effective in summer, shining silver 
describes it somewhat and no doubt 
accounts for its varietal name. S.a. brit- 
zensis has a bright red bark; S.a. vitel- 
lina, yellow; S. fragilis basfordiana, 
orange red. The foliage of this varietv 
has a copper tint in the distance. S. 
nigricans, although not black the whole 
length of the shoot, is sufficiently so in 
some varieties to give it that appearance. 
Others are S. purpurea, pur]tie; S. san- 
puinea, red, and S. daphnoides, violet. 
This latter makes a beautiful shrub, if 
allowed to develope, as it produces its 
catkins very early, even before the Goat- 
Willow, S. Caprea. They are refined in 
character, and before the)' are expanded 
they are very conspicuous, as, being 
almost white, they contrast well with the 
bark. 
Other plants are Cornus sangumea, 
red; C. stolonifera, port wine colour; 
Kerria japonica, green; Spiraea Doug- 
Iassi, brown; Stephanandra Tanakae, 
brown, the foliage of this latter plant 
is of a pleasing golden colour ; and Rubus 
biflora, the white-washed Bramble, has 
white bark. 
H. Arnold. 
- - 
Coriaria japonica. 
The main stem of this species is up¬ 
right, about three feet long and covered 
all along the sides with numerous leaf- 
like branches bearing ovate leaves in 
pairs. The fruit is the most ornamental 
part of it and consists chieflv of a pulpy, 
coloured calyx. At first these fruits are 
red. but finally become dark brown or 
black, with a waxy bloom, and ripen in 
great numbers. being highly ornamental. 
Award of merit by the R.H.S. when shown 
bv Mrs. Maurice Prichard. Christchurch, 
Hants. The shrub is hardy there, but re¬ 
quires greenhouse treatment in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of London. 
