THE WELLINGTON GLADIOLUS : A BEDDING PLANT 
17 
THE “ WELLINGTON” GLADIOLUS. 
HIS fine hybrid production is another valuable addition to a now univer¬ 
sally-admired family of plants. It comes from the establishment of 
L Willmore, Esq., of the Wellington Road, Birmingham (late of Oldford), 
$ whose name has been long known in the floricultural world as one of its 
most able and enterprizing supporters. Mr. Willmore’s collection of seedling 
Gladioli is well known to be extensive, and of first-rate excellence; and we 
have to acknowledge his kindness in favouring us with the variety “ Welling¬ 
ton ” here represented, accompanied by the following account of its origin :—■ 
“ The parent plant was Bidwilliana , or, in other words, the orange variety of 
gandavensis ; but what this was crossed with is not precisely known, as pollen 
was made use of indiscriminately. As, however, the flower is an orange scarlet, 
and as pollen from vernalis spicatus, pyramidalis , albicans rosens, and many 
varieties of ramosus was in requisition, it is probable that the pollen in question 
was obtained from one of these sources.” 
Along with some other varieties of equal, or even greater merit, the Wel¬ 
lington Gladiolus was exhibited, on the 4th of September last, before the 
National Floricultural Society, where it was awarded the certificate of merit. 
We understand that it, and others of Mr. Willmore’s Gladioli, have been purchased by Messrs. Cole and 
Sharp of the Aston Lane Nursery, Birchfield, near Birmingham. Our plate contains, besides the Wel¬ 
lington, which is one of the natalensis section, two varieties of Dutch origin, belonging to the cardinalis 
section, named Van Gagern and Prince Albert, both of which possess considerable merit.—M. 
THE GLADIOLUS AS A BEDDING PLANT. 
The list of floral productions for the decoration of the garden, although very extensive, is constantly 
receiving numerous additions from various sources, not the least important of which is that opened 
up by skilful gardeners, who, by the care and judgment which they bestow upon particular plants, 
adapt them to a purpose for which they were not previously available. 
New and approved varieties of established favourites which present any novel or distinctive 
feature, but more particularly such as possess any striking advantage as regards their hardiness or the 
season of their blooming, are hailed with no common satisfaction by all who can appreciate floral 
excellence. This is especially true of the class which is named at the head of these remarks, and to 
the most robust, as well as late-flowering members of which, my present object is to direct attention. 
A want of variety among them has hitherto presented an obstacle to their general cultivation; but 
skilful management, in combination with sound judgment, has done much to remedy the defect, and I 
have no doubt that every year will witness further changes, until we obtain every variety of shade, 
from white to scarlet, with great variety in marking, and an improvement in outline and truss. 
From their formal and soldier-like appearance in groups, they are not adapted to a low situation, and 
they ought not to be indiscriminately placed among common bedding-out plants. The most appropri¬ 
ate position for them would undoubtedly be the background of some geometrical arrangement, or upon 
a border facing a statue. In such situations they would present an extremely pleasing appearance 
during the autumnal months. As contrasts of colour are now attainable, no garden can be considered 
complete without them. I subjoin a list of those varieties which combine the qualifications of tree and 
erect growth with the production of long spikes of bloom thickly set on the spike :— 
IVdlington (Willmore’s).—Bright orange scarlet. This 
is a great acquisition; its height is from four to 
five feet, the flower-spikes being about eighteen 
inches in length. 
Gandavensis superbus .—This is the best variety of gan- 
davensis , as well as the strongest grower I have seen. 
It is from five to six feet in height; flower lai’ge; 
colour orange, deepening a few shades at the top of 
the upper petals. 
Gandavensis aurantius .—This is a much weaker grower 
