188 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  8,  1898. 
HARDY  NYMPHUAS. 
{Concluded  from  page  141.) 
Before  we  describe  in  detail  the  results  of  M.  Marliac’s  work,  a 
feature  common  to  several  of  his  novelties  should  be  mentioned — their 
wonderfully  pretty  foliage.  Several  of  them  would  be  worthy  of 
cultivation  as  foliage  plants.  The  leaves  are  spotted  and  marbled 
with  different  shades  of  brown  and  reddish  brown  on  a  ground  of  the 
familiar  green  of  N.  alba.  This  is  true  especially  of  N.  Marliacea 
tlammea,  N.  pygmma  helvola,  N.  Andreana,  and  others.  Again,  in 
the  case  of  some,  the  leaves  push  one  another  out  of  the  water, 
revealing  unexpected  and  attractive  markings  on  the  reverse  side  of 
the  leaf. 
The  last  variety  described  (on  page  140)  was  N.  odorata  rosea, 
syn.  N.  o.  rubra.  In  the  hands  of  M.  Marliac  this  has  been  much 
improved.  He  has  sent  out  N.  o.  rosacea  and  N.  o.  exquisita,  both 
of  which  have  superior  llowers  to  the  older  variety.  The  former  is 
larger,  with  more  petals,  symmetrically  arranged;  the  colouring  is 
unchanged,  but  the  flower  expands  more  fully,  and  emits  a  pleasant 
perfume.  The  latter  is  somewhat  smaller  than  N.  o.  rubra,  but  the 
colour  is  much  deeper,  described  as  rose  carmine,  softening  towards 
the  tips  of  the  petals,  and  not  becoming  pale.  It  dowers  freely  when 
established,  and  is  well  worthy  of  cultivation. 
N.  odorata  sulphurea  is  larger  and  more  vigorous  than  the 
other  odorata  varieties,  resembling  in  this  particular  the  Marliacea 
type.  Its  foliase  is  spotted  with  reddish-brown,  and  it  flowers  with 
great  freedom,  though  not  before  the  end  of  July  or  beginning  of 
August,  being  in  this  respect  unique.  It  is  also  exceptional  amongst 
hardy  Nymphteas  in  the  formation  of  its  flower,  the  petals  being  stellate, 
closely  resembling  the  well-known  blue  Egyptian  N.  stellata  in  this 
respect.  The  colour  is  a  clear  sulphur-yellow,  contrasting  finely  with 
the  deeper  tint  of  the  stamens.  It  is  a  flower  of  great  beauty,  more 
conspicuous  because  borne  on  loug  stems  some  inches  above  the 
surface  of  the  water. 
N.  o.  s.  grandiflora  is  similar  to  the  preceding,  but  slightly 
stronger.  It  is  quite  as  free  flowering,  and  produces  flowers  nearly 
8  inches  in  diameter. 
N.  Marliacea  albida  is  certainly  the  finest  white  variety,  growing 
as  it  does  with  all  the  vigour  of  N.  tuberosa,  and  at  the  same  time  pro¬ 
ducing  larger  and  finer  flowers.  We  have  them  9  inches  in  diameter,  but 
this  has  been  exceeded  elsewhere.  It  is  also  very  floriferous.  The  colour 
is  whiter  than  that  of  N.  alba ;  sometimes  there  is  a  suffusion  at  the 
base  of  the  outer  petals.  Seen  from  afar  the  blooms  of  this  variety 
are  very  conspicuous —distinct  white  specks  on  the  surface  of  the 
water. 
N.  Marliacea  ciiromatella,  also  known  as  N.  tuberosa  flava,  is 
similar  to  the  last,  but  produces  splendid  flowers  of  a  canary-yellow 
colour  (fading  slightly  with  age),  not  so  large  as  those  of  N.  M.  albida, 
but  equally  beautiful,  and  freely  produced.  The  young  foliage  is 
elegantly  marbled  and  bronzed. 
N.  Marliacea  carnea  is  a  variety  very  similar  to  N.  M.  albida 
in  habit  of  growth.  It  is  equally  desirable,  and  should  be  in  every 
collection.  The  plant  is  usually  covered  with  large  flowers  of  a  pale 
flesh  coloured  tint. 
N.  Marliacea  rosea  is  almost  described  by  a  description  of 
N.  M.  carnea ;  but  it  is  usually  a  slightly  smaller  flower,  and 
decidedly  deeper  in  colour,  the  flesh-tint  having  given  place  to  pale 
rose.  The  distinctness  is  more  apparent  when  the  flower  is  viewed 
from  above ;  the  colour  is  then  seen  to  extend  throughout  the  flower 
more  than  is  the  case  with  carnea,  as  well  as  being  deeper.  The 
petals  are  blunter  than  in  the  case  of  the  latter  variety. 
N.  Marliacea  rubro-punctata  is  a  newer  and  choicer  variety, 
which  promises  to  equal  the  rest  of  the  type  in  robustness  and  vigour. 
The  colour  is  a  deep  vinous  red,  suffused  with  purple,  and  spotted  or 
blotched  with  carmine  ;  the  stamens  are  bright  orange  in  colour. 
N.  Marliacea  flammea  is  another  magnificent  hybrid,  with  large 
flowers,  reddish  amaranth  in  colour  shaded  with  whitish  tints ;  the 
stamens  are  deep  orange. 
N.  Andreana  has  rather  incurved  flowers  of  average  size  and  deep 
red  in  colour,  tinged  with  violet  when  well  developed.  Planted  here 
in  the  spring  of  last  year,  two  dozen  blooms  were  counted  this  year 
upon  it,  open  at  the  same  time. 
N.  Kobinsoniana  is  similar  to  the  last  in  habit  and  shape  of 
flower,  but  the  colour  is  vermilion  red  on  a  yellow  ground.  This 
variety  has  a  great  profusion  of  handsome  foliage  and  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  flowers.  The  stamens  are  deep  orange,  and  the  leaves 
spotted  with  purple. 
N.  Seigneur  Eti  is  a  compact  variety  with  rather  small  flowers, 
foliage  very  erect,  and,  out  of  the  water,  spreading  rapidly.  The 
colour  is  pale  rose  or  carmine  on  a  yellow  ground. 
N.  Aurora,  a  very  fine  variety,  with  tints  varying  from  rose 
yellow  to  deep  red.  Said  to  be  free  and  constant. 
N.  ignea  has  been  compared  to  the  Aurora  Borealis.  The  colour 
of  the  petals  is  a  reddish  magenta,  the  stamens  being  orange  red. 
N.  lucida  produces  flowers  of  large  size;  in  colour  pale  pink, 
deepening  with  age  to  a  rosy  violet.  The  leaves  are  well  marked  and 
spotted. 
N.  sanguinea  is  a  choice  variety  and  scarce.  When  properly 
developed  it  is  deep  blood  red,  very  dark,  and  singularly  rich  in 
colour. 
N.  Ellisiana  is  a  grand  variety,  producing  large  flowers  of 
an  intense  reddish  purple  colour,  which  deepens  from  day  to  day  during 
the  four  days  in  which  the  quality  is  maintained.  This  is  one  of  the 
most  promising  kinds. 
N.  gloriosa  is  probably  the  finest  ot  all  the  red  varieties,  and 
indeed  of  all  that  M.  Latour- Marliac  has  raised.  In  size  it  promises 
to  equal  N.  M.  albida  itself.  The  colour  is  bright  rose,  changing  to 
brilliant  carmine.  This  variety  has  not  yet  been  seen  at  its  best  in 
this  country,  and  it  requires  time  to  get  thoroughly  established.  At 
present  it  is  scarce  and  very  expensive — the  price  is  almost  prohibitive. 
N.  Laydekeri  rosea  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  new  hybrids,  and 
st ill  worthily'  maintains  its  position.  Its  period  of  flowering  extends 
almost  from  May  till  October.  The  colour  is  a  vivid  carmine  rose, 
pale  at  first,  but  intensified  by  age.  This  is  one  of  the  most  suitable 
kinds  to  plant  in  a  limited  space.  It  does  not  make  fresh  crowns,  and 
is  therefore  not  readily  propagated. 
N.  Laydekeri  lilaoea  has  elegant  rosy  lilac  flowers,  shaded  with 
bright  carmine  and  golden  yellow  stamens.  It  is  sweetly  scented. 
N.  Laydekeri  purpurata  produces  freely  its  very  symmetrical 
flowers.  The  colour  is  vinous  red,  crimson  towards  the  centre. 
N.  Laydekeri  fulgens  is  reported  to  be  a  grand  variety  of  rich 
colouring.  An  intense  rosy  purple. 
N.  pygm.ea  helvola  is  truly  a  miniature  variety.  The  leaves  are 
small  and  well  marked.  The  flowers,  produced  in  abundance,  are  also 
small  and  of  a  pale  sulphur  yellow  colour.  Very  attractive  and  sweetly 
scented. 
N.  caroliniana  nivea  and  N.  c.  PERFECT  A  are  both  good  varieties, 
extra  double,  with  long  narrow  petals,  and  sweetly  scented.  The 
former  has  large  white  flowers,  and  the  latter  is  flesh  coloured. 
N.  fulva  is  free  flowering,  and  in  colour  is  a  pale  yellow  with 
touches  of  red.  It  can  scarcely  be  called  a  pretty  variety. 
Certificated  varieties. — Certificates  have  been  awarded  by  the 
Roy al  Horticultural  Society  to  the  following  varieties  : — N.  Marliacea 
chromatella  (F.C.C.,  1895):  N.  Laydekeri  rosea  (A.M.,  1895); 
N.  odorata  rosea  (A.M.,  1895);  N.  Robinsoniana  (F.C.C.,  1896); 
IN.  Marliacea  carnea  (F.C.C.,  1897)  ;  N.  Marliacea  albida  (F.C.C.,  1897) ; 
N.  Ellisiana  (A.M.,  1897);  N.  Marliacea  flammea  (F.C.C.,  1897); 
N.  gloriosa  (F.C.C.,  1898);  N.  odorata  rosacea  (F.O.C.,  1898); 
N.  lucida  (A.M.,  1898). 
Selections. 
Select  lists  of  varieties  adapted  for  particular  purposes  may  be 
useful  to  those  intending  to  commence  their  culture.  The  rarer  and 
very  expensive  varieties  will  be  excluded  from  all  but  the  first  list. 
1,  Six  best  red  Water  Lilies  hitherto  sent  out  (in  order  of  probable 
merit).-- N.  gloriosa,  N.  Ellisiana,  N.  sanguinea,  N.  ignea,  N.  Marliacea 
flammea,  and  N.  lucida. 
2,  Twelve  best  varieties  to  plant  as  a  beginning  in  an  ordinary 
pond  or  lake. — N.  Marliacea  albida,  N.  Marliacea  carnea,  N.  Marliacea 
chromatella,  N.  odorata  rosacea,  N.  o.  exquisita,  N.  o.  sulphurea 
grandiflora,  N.  caroliniana  nivea,  N.  perfecta,  N.  pygmasa  helvola, 
N.  Laydekeri  rosea,  N.  L.  lilacea,  and  N.  L.  purpurata. 
3,  Six  robust  varieties  suitable  for  deep  water. — N.  Marliacea 
albida,  N.  M.  carnea,  N.  M.  rosea,  N.  M.  chromatella,  N.  odorata 
sulphurea  grandiflora,  and  N.  tuberosa. 
4,  Six  small  varieties  adapted  for  fountains  and  aquaria. — 
N.  Laydekeri  rosea,  N.  L.  lilacea,  N.  Seigneur  Eti,  N.  pygmtea, 
N.  pygmaea  helvola.  and  N.  odorata  exquisita. — James  Hudson, 
Gunnersbury  House  Gardens. 
[The  photograph  of  Mr.  Leopold  de  Rothschild’s  Water  Lilies, 
which  are  grown  so  well  and  described  so  accurately  by  his  gardener, 
was  taken  by  Mr.  J.  Gregory  of  Croydon,  himself  a  gardener,  and  we 
congratulate  both  thjse  gardeners  on  the  excellence  of  their  work.] 
AN  HOUR  AT  CHEVENINGr  PARK. 
There  is  something  suggestive  of  a  well-to-do  London  suburb  about 
Sevenoaks,  particularly  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  railway  station.  The 
smart  up-to-date  look  about  the  villa  residences  is  evidence  that  prosperous 
city  men  have  chosen  this  charming  district  as  their  place  of  abode,  and 
the  rate  at  which  habitations  of  a  similar  character  are  springing  up 
goes  to  prove  that  their  example  is  being  followed.  By  the  time  the 
railway  is  left  behind  and  Riverhead  is  reached  you  are  almost  clear 
of  the  modern  villa  ;  at  Chipstead  you  have  forgotten  all  about  it,  and 
when  the  little  gathering  of  old-fashioned  houses,  with  the  quaint  old 
church,  which  form  the  village  of  Chevening,  appear  in  sight  you  feel 
sure  that  any  effort  on  the  part  of  the  modern  architect  would  be  out 
of  place  there. 
