THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 
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X GROUPING CONIFEROUS TREES. 
*** X 
A selection of conifers is a means of add¬ 
ing considerably to the attractiveness of a 
garden during the winter months. Where 
there are suitable positions in which to 
plant them very pleasing effects can be 
created, and it is doubtful w^hether any 
classes of trees makes such a telling feature 
for so many months of the year. Where 
conifers can be placed on slightly rising 
ground they are probably seen at their 
best, and W’^hen viewed across a small vallev 
or widened dell they are certainly very 
attractive. 
There are several important points to bo 
taken into consideration when grouping 
<‘onifers. Firstly, it is necessary to have 
variety; secondly, to group species of simi¬ 
lar character together; and, thirdly, to 
avoid overcrowding. It is desirable to 
plant those with dark green foliage as a 
background for others, but occasionally a 
specimen with a glaucous or golden hue 
may be allowed beyond these, so as to avoid 
formality 
I propose only to deal with some of the 
choicer conifers, and those of medium 
growth, as these kinds are the most desir¬ 
able for the garden. 
Cupressus Lawsoniana is well known, 
and its robust growth and conical outline 
render it most suitable for a central 
position. C. L. ere<‘ta viridis can be asso¬ 
ciated with it, and is an erect-growing 
form, with short, crowde<l branches of up- 
right grmvth, niwl; bright gr«en foliage. 
I he tree has a distinctly tapering outline, 
and as it does not spread much in com- 
})ari^n with its height, it can be fairly 
closely planted. Intermixed with this 
variety C. L. Allumi is very telling, its 
dense wlumnar habit of growth, short rigid 
branches and foliage of a distinct stwl- 
blue shade, render it very telling against 
the bright green foliage of the previous 
probably the most 
effective of all the cypresses, for the young 
growths are a rich yellow, which, com¬ 
bined with Its regular habit of growth 
makes the tree especially handsorne. To 
complete the combination C. macrocarpa 
lutea must also be sparingly used. It is a 
rapid growing tree, of columnar habit, with 
erect branches and plumose foliage 4 
well-arranged group of these vtrieti;s 
makes a fine feature when they have at¬ 
tained fair proportions, but in arrangincr 
dominate^ to let the green %Te- 
Several of tlie Silver Firs and Spruce 
h irs are very effective when plante<I in com¬ 
bination, but in the case of these it is essen¬ 
tial to allow them ample spare to secure 
the most pleasing effects. When thinly 
groupwl in conjunction witli a few other 
subjects, ^ey produce a fine impression 
whmi viewed from a .short distance. Abies 
lasiocarpa makes a handsome tree Its 
branchy are prcKliiced horizontally, and 
are a little crowdecl; while the leaves 
which are brought almost erect by a twist 
at their base, are rather closely set, and 
have two whitish bands which gives the 
tiee a distinctly glaucous appearance A 
pungens glauca is suitable for association 
with this. Owing to its compact outlines 
and ricli glaucous foliage, which often 
vanes in intensity, it is the finest of the 
Spruce Firs for garden decoration. A 
nobilis is a distinct and handsome tree, 
with horizontal branches that ascend to^ 
wards the tips. The leaves are sometimes 
glaucous above, with two whitish bands 
helow. This species frequently grows 
rapidly until it is about thirty years old, 
when the top often dies, with the result 
that the tree becomes dwarfed and flat- 
topped. The cones are very large and 
handsome. 
Abies Nordmanniana is suitable for 
planting with the foregoing. It forms a 
stately specimen, and has slightly ascend¬ 
ing branches, while the leaves are a bright 
green, and have two glaucous bands on 
their lower sides. A. homolepsis takes an 
important place as it is a massive tree, but 
It does not attain a great height. The 
branches are ascending and of sturdy 
growth, while the two whitish bands on 
the under side of the leaves give ^e tree 
a slightly glaucous appearance. A. Mariesi 
IS a fine species of rather short, but 
sturdy habit. It is a compact grower, and 
its deep violet-blue cones are especially 
picturesque. 
Sequoia gigantea makes fairly good 
growth m rich loamy soil, and where it 
^ic^eds becomes a handsome specimen 
Cedriis Deodara and C. Libani are too well 
known to need description, but they are 
very desirable in a grouping scheme, as 
they form a magnificent background. C. 
atlantica glauca looks its best when planted 
alone on a wide-spreading lawn. Where 
space permits a group of eight or ten trees 
will create a fine feature, especially when 
viewed in the sunshine, which shows up 
^eir silyery-grey foliage to advantage 
inis variety has its branches irregularly 
disp^ed, and they are often of unequal 
length, which gives the tree an informal 
outline. 
Retin<^pora squarrosa is one of the most 
beautiful conifers, and has delightful sil¬ 
very foliage. It is frequently of irregular 
suitable for the forefront 
ot shrubberies, where it can be used in con¬ 
junction with A. filifera aurea, a slender- 
growing andi graceful subjeot, with the 
^rminal gpwths a light golden yellow. 
Cryptomena elegans is suitable for a simi¬ 
lar j^ition. It has short horizontal 
branches, witu acuminate green leaves that 
change to a telling bronzy crimson in the 
mte summer. Cupressus Lawsoniana Silver 
Queen associates well with these latter sub- 
lects; and it is similar in habit to C. L. 
lutea, only the young growths are a rich 
er^m colour. J. Gardner. 
Ilatsford Park Gardens. 
Rhododendron Fosterianum. 
This.is one of the most striking of the 
various white-flowered rhododendrons that 
protection of a greenhouse. It is 
a hybrid between Rhododendron Edgeworthi 
a sj^ciee which has played a prominent part 
valuable varieties 
anu K. Veitchianum, a native of Moulmein’ 
and remarkable for its large, massive flowers 
witn in some instances, the edges of the 
very much crimped. The fine R. Fos- 
vigporous in growth, and the 
^ stopp^ when young in 
rder to ensure a bushy habit. The flowers 
are very large, widely expanded, and in 
colour pure white with a yellow stain in the 
upper part of the interior. They inherit to 
a great extent the fragrance of R. Edge- 
^orthi, which has imparted that desirable 
feature to most of its offspring.—T. 
April 5 , 1913. 
ORCHIDS AT CHELTENHAM 
Sons. Exotic 
peltenham, as a title and address th f r- 
years familiar to 
of the Gardeners’ Magazine 
to horticu^lturists throughout this Ind^otlk?' 
lands The mention of the town of tVl 
ham to a gardener brings the name of 
immediately to his mind, and with 
aesomated choice orchids, and lovelv LZ 
of stove and greenhouse plants* ffJT C 
^rc^y requ^ to be said that y^ar aft. 
j^ear Messrs. Cypher and Sons takelfoLm^t 
^tion at all the leading shows in tlThiE 
^ cla^s, and we sometimes wondet 
whether these attractive classes would lor? 
survive the absence of Messrs. Cypher fUr 
among the competitors. However, we wil 
not dwell upon this point, but express the 
present memhiN 
will be with us many a year yet to add still 
further successes to their splendid record 
exhibitors, and also to install many new or 
ei^ich already established collections of or¬ 
chids in the gardens of Britain. That they 
have the m.ateafial to accomplish either o*f 
these tasks our visit to their nurseries afforckd 
ample proof, for there are orchids of all 
kinds in the best possible condition, and a 
tour in the compact range of about a score 
of well-built and well-stocked houses n 
^ pable of affording an infinity of pleasure 
There are big specimens that testify to the 
careful and skilful treatment that has Wn 
meted out to them; tiny, but healthy, young 
plants for growing on; choice rarities that 
at once appeal to the connoisseur; and ho«t> 
of the cheaper, easily-grown kinds, suitable 
for the beginner or the amateur of mode-t 
aspirations. 
The erroneous idea is even to-day prevalent 
that all orchids are expensive luxuries that 
only the rich may touch; and it will there¬ 
fore be well to emphasise the fact that plenty 
of really beautiful orchids are as cheap a- 
mo^ other greenhouse plants, and are an 
easily cultivated as fuchsias or ferns. As 
a matter of fact, there are listed in Alefsrs. 
Cypher’s catalogue no less than 240 different 
orchids that may be obtained at prices not 
exceeding five shillings a plant, so that one 
may form a quite respectable collection of 
orchids with an outlay of a few pounds. It 
is mthout doubt the wisest course for a 
novice to start with these cheaper kinds, 
waiting until some experience has bwn 
gained before venturing with the raritie*. 
The cypripediums are generally recommend^ 
as especially suitable for beginners in orchid 
culture, and it is not surprising that at Chel¬ 
tenham this popular family takes a promi¬ 
nent place, there being many thousands of 
plants of various sizes and wonderful variety. 
The ever-popular Cypripedium insigne and 
its many varieties claim first attention. The 
varieties Chantini, delicata, and montanum 
are among the cheapest, hut not the least beau¬ 
tiful, members of the family; whilst choicer 
forms are found in Peacock, Henry Elwes. 
John Cypher, and Sanderianuin. C. La'«’* 
rencianum. var. Hackbridgensis, is a ten- 
guinea orchid worth its money, and tnc 
chaste flowers of C. Leeanum Purity are ot 
exquisite beauty. Messrs. Cypher have » 
splendid stock of C. Fairieanum which thc> 
rightly describe as "a little gem,” and it 
indeed an orchid one never tires of reccni- 
mending as worthy of a place in any colla¬ 
tion. Those who admire a pure white o.Jjn 
may seek C. niveum, while the hybnd t- 
Gravesae, delicately spotted with rosy-pnrp*^- 
possesses- the charm of distinction fhat ac- 
lights the connoisseur. A <i^lk?htfiil hybn 
resulting from a cross between C. Ch^iW 
lainianum and C. insigne is named Ix>ai^ 
Fowler. The fact that two or three 
may be seen on one stem is a strong v) 
in its favour. 
It will not do to linger longer over ^ 
cypripediums, for the odontogloSsunis. e^]^ 
cialiy the varieties of O. crispnm denmn 
equal attention. Few will dispute the ^ 
tion that tlie odontoglossums have 
greater advances than any other 
orchids since growers took up the raisi g 
