Jew 12, 1913. 
THE GARDENERS* MAGAZINE. 
519 
delphiniums. 
The prominence given fho delphiniums 
during the last few years is a very satm- 
factory mark of progress in the hardy 
plant world. Feiv other subjects contri¬ 
bute so charmingly to the heanty ^ the 
summer garden, and they are certainly not 
surpassed by any in the matter of decora¬ 
tive effect. 1 
Tlie splendid improvements wnicn nave 
resulted from the work of the florists is 
indeed very noticeable, and, added to a 
glorious range of colourings, we get mag¬ 
nificent spikes and fine, bold (blossoms. In 
no other manure gives quite such satisfac¬ 
tory results, as it provides a cool and last¬ 
ing food material. 
Points worth noting in the race for suc¬ 
cess are the necessity for removing all 
flower spikes as soon as the blossoms fade, 
and the value of keeping the hoe going. 
The first operation ensures the production 
of a good second crop of blossom, and the 
busy hoe aerates the soil and retains the 
moisture during summer, and in addition 
secures free movement for the roots. 
With Us delphiniums are freely used in 
the semi-wild garden. In free, open spaces 
efforts of the florists. Such forms as 
E. Lascelles, King of Delpliiniums, Lizzie 
Van Veen, 8tatuaire llude, Moerheimi, 
etc., are not c^asily duplicated, but forms of 
less outstanding merit are easily niat<4ie<l 
in the same or in a neighbouring collection. 
For garden decoration few ty'pes of del¬ 
phiniums are the c^qual of Belladonna and 
its fine varieties. The light, graceful spikes 
of pale blue, and the splendid branching 
habit, makes it a beautiful plant for any 
garden. The type is easily raised from 
seed, and plants can be grown and flowered 
as annuals in one season from an early 
H.T. rose MRS. JAMES LYNAS. 
Blush pint; Gold Medal, N.E.S. Messrs. Hugh Dickson, Lim., Belfast. 
le herbaceous holders delphiniums are 
”®^lly a coi^picuous feature, and, if given 
attention in the matter of culture, 
plenty of space for development, suc- 
^•5 IS assured. 
^'ndoirUedly the hest soil for delphinium 
^ deep, retentive loam, well 
In ^ ^ depth of at least t/vw feet. 
shallow, or sandy soils they are 
liixuriant, but no soil is so TXKvr 
cimio'^ be greatly improved by judi- 
is tillage. Cow manure 
St essential on light, dry soils, and 
out upon the sloping banks they create 
brilliant sweeps of colour, a veritable glow 
of varied blue® upon the landscape. One 
can obtain some grand contrasts by massing 
soft blues against dark blues and purples 
By the contrasting of our subjects with 
golden lupins, scarlet Oriental poppies, or 
pale-coloured irises, some first-rate effects 
are obtainable. 
A chat concerning varieties is somewhat 
a difficult matter, for varieties are listed 
nowadays by the hundred, and there is a 
certain amount of cverlapping among the 
sowing under glass. • Persimmon, Semi- 
plena, and other varietes are perpetuated 
by cuttings or division. 
With us seedlings of the second genera¬ 
tion vary more than those of the first, 
and we are able to pick out very good 
forms, some giving exquisite shades of pink 
mingled with the blue. Furthermore, these 
seedlings of Bell adonna are more continuous 
than the ordinary run of delphiniums, 
which is of the ‘ greatest import-anee to 
those who are desirous of securing a long 
season of beauty. P. vS. Hayward. 
