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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
November  30,  1899. 
light  syringings  being  sufficient  until  the  growths  are  at  least  3  inches 
long,  then  water  and  syringe  more  copiously.  Lightly  shade  the 
plants  during  the  hottest  hours  of  the  day,  but  it  is  better  to  allow 
more  light  than  is  too  often  afforded,  as  plants  grown  in  dense  shade 
will  become  thin  and  drawn,  and  cannot  produce  flowers  so  profusely 
as  short,  thick,  and  well-ripened  pseudo-bulbs  grown  in  more  light. 
Use  soft  water  in  preference  to  hard,  as  the  latter  quickly  kills  the 
sphagnum  moss,  and  dead  moss  appears  to  be  harmful  to  the  plants. 
When  growth  is  finished  ripen  the  plants  in  a  cooler  house,  such 
as  the  warm  corner  of  a  greenhouse  or  a  vinery  shelf  not  too  close  to 
the  ventilators,  for  too  much  draught  will  cause  the  plants  to  become 
shrivelled.  Allow  only  sufficient  water  to  keep  the  pseudo-bulbs 
plump:  45°  to  50°  at  night  will  be  warm  enough  during  the  resting 
period,  but  in  severe  weather  a  few  degrees  less  will  not  be  dangerous. 
It  is  better  to  flower  the  two-year-old  growths,  as  they  produce 
more  bloom  than  do  those  of  the  preceding  summer.  The  plants  will 
last  in  bloom  from  four  to  six  weeks  if  kept  dry  and  in  a  rather  low 
temperature,  but  do  not  allow  the  flowers  to  wither  on  the  plant,  or 
the  next  year’s  growth  may  be  inferior.  After  flowering,  top-dress  or 
repot  as  required,  using  a  mixture  of  peat,  moss,  and  charcoal,  and 
keep  the  base  of  the  pseudo-bulbs  well  above  the  compost.  Repot 
every  three  or  four  years,  using  pots  two  sizes  larger  than  the  last, 
then  no  roots  will  be  damaged. 
Imported  plants  should  be  laid  on  a  moist  spar  or  cinder-covered 
stage,  and  be  lightly  syringed  until  growth  appears,  when  they  may  be 
placed  in  small  pots,  using  little  or  nothing  beside  broken  crocks  for 
the  roots  to  ramble  in  for  the  first  year. — J.  T.  Blencowe. 
NOTES  ON  ALPINE  FLOWERS. 
Campanula  Portenschlagiana. 
Portenschlag’s  Bellflower  is  one  of  our  most  dependable  flowers 
for  the  rock  garden,  by  reason  of  its  free-flowering  habit  and  the  ease 
with  which  it  can  be  grown.  It  comes,  it  is  said,  from  Dalmatia,  and 
is  perfectly  hardy  in  ail  parts  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  It  is  a 
capital  plant  for  trailing  over  the  surface  of  a  large  stone,  but  may  be 
found  useful  on  the  level  as  well.  This  Campanula  soon  forms  a  good 
sized  plant  on  most  soils,  although  it  prefers  that  which  is  rather 
light  and  of  a  somewhat  peaty  nature.  In  such  it  grows  rapidly,  and 
forms  a  mass  of  pretty  green  foliage,  covered  for  a  long  time  in  summer 
with  pleasing  light  blue  flowers.  It  is  easily  increased  by  division. 
There  has  been  for  a  little  time  in  cultivation  a  larger  flowering 
variety,  which  has  passed  under  the  names  of  C.  mollis  and  C.  Por¬ 
tenschlagiana  “  Bavarian  variety.’’  The  first  is  incorrect,  but  the 
second  is  no  better,  as  the  plant  does  not  come  from  Bavaria  at  all. 
The  only  ground  for  calling  it  the  “  Bavarian  variety”  seems  to  be 
that  it  was  introduced  by  a  Bavarian  nurseryman.  This  variety  is 
larger  in  all  its  parts  than  the  ordinary  form,  and  is  preferred  by  many 
on  this  account.  No  one  will,  however,  regret  growing  either  of  the 
forms  of  Campanula  Portenschlagiana.  It  may  be  mentioned  that 
while  either  of  the  forms  grow  quite  well  in  partial  shade,  they  also 
thrive  in  sun.  They  ought  never  to  suffer  from  want  of  water. 
Arabis  ccerulea. 
In  my  early  days  of  growing  Alpines  I  lighted  upon  the  name  of 
Arabis  ccerulea  in  a  seedsman’s  catalogue,  and  enticed  by  the  prospect 
of  possessing  a  sky-blue  Arabis,  forthwith  procured  a  packet  of  seeds, 
which  were  duly  sown,  with  the  result  that  a  fair  number  of  plants 
were  in  due  course  raised  and  planted  out.  They  came  into  bloom, 
but  the  colour  was  so  disappointing  that  the  plants  soon  found  a  last 
resting-place  on  the  rubbish  heap.  The  tint  of  blue  shown  by  the 
flowers  is  a  poor  one,  and  makes  one  wonder  at  the  daring  of  the 
botanist  responsible  for  the  specific  name  of  the  Arabis.  Arabis  ccerulea 
is  a  native  ot  Europe,  and  is  hardy  in  most  rock  gardens  where  the 
soil  is  fairly  good.  It  may  be  increased  by  means  of  seeds  sown  in 
spring,  or  by  cuttings.  The  principal  object  one  has  in  view  in 
speaking  of  this  plant  is  to  advise  alpine  growers  not  to  trouble  with 
so  poor  a  plant. 
Saxifraga  Boydi. 
This  very  beautiful  little  Rockfoil  is  a  witness  in  favour  of  the 
optimism  held  by  enthusiasts  as  to  the  great  variety  we  may  yet  have 
among  hardy  plants — an  optimism  which,  the  writer  is  disposed  to 
think,  is  justified  by  all  that  we  know  of  the  source  of  so  many  good 
flowers.  The  belief  is  that  this  Saxifrage  is  a  hybrid  between  Saxi¬ 
fraga  Burseriana  and  S.  aretioides,  but  this  is  only  a  probability,  as 
the  original  plant  was  not  the  product  of  artificial  hybridisation.  It 
originated  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  James  Boyd  of  Cherry  trees,  near 
Melrose,  Scotland.  It  is  a  charming  little  plant,  of  dense  stiff  habit, 
and  only  growing  a  few  inches  in  height.  Pretty  as  is  the  rounded 
mound  of  tiny  rosettes  it  forms,  its  beauties  of  foliage  are  surpassed 
by  the  lovely  little  bright  yellow  flowers  which  rise  above  the  plants. 
Saxifraga  Boydi  is  not  easily  or  quickly  increased  by  division  or 
cutting,  and  it  is  not  procurable  as  cheaply  as  many  other  Alpines. 
There  is  also  a  white  variety,  but  it  is  larger  in  growth. 
Silene  Schafta. 
We  are  usually  rather  short  of  bloom  in  the  rock  garden  after  mid¬ 
summer,  and  have  thus  the  more  reason  to  look  out  lor,  and  prize  any 
flowers  which  will  come  in  after  that  time  to  give  the  colour  we  want. 
Thus  one  thinks  highly  of  the  Caucasian  Silene  Schafta,  whose  pink 
flowers  are  produced  freely  enough  in  either  sun  or  half  shade.  It 
forms  a  neat,  slightly  trailing  plant,  with  flowers  resembling  the  other 
Catchflies  in  their  inflated  capsules.  One  finds  it  grow  well  in  a 
sandy  soil  and  in  a  place  where  absolute  drought  cannot  fall  to  its  lot. 
This  Silene  is  very  easily  grown  from  seeds,  which  may  be  sown  in 
spring  in  a  nursery  bed.  a  cold  frame,  or  in  pots  or  boxes.  When  the 
seedings  appear  give  them  the  ordinary  treatment  afforded  to  those 
of  hardy  flowers. 
Thymus  Serpyllum  lanuginosus. 
The  plant  which  possesses  this  formidable  name  is  by  no  means 
obtrusive  in  appearance.  It  is,  in  truth,  only  a  variety  of  the 
common  wild  Thyme,  which  so  adorns  some  of  our  hill  and  mountain 
sides.  It  is,  however,  covered  with  a  silk-like  or  woolly  tomentum, 
which  gives  it  a  distinct  effect.  It  does  not  flower  so  freely  in  the 
writer’s  garden  as  the  ordinary  form  or  its  wnite  and  so-called  crimson 
varieties.  Its  chief  value  is  as  a  carpeter  for  taller  plants  or  bulbs,  or 
for  covering  a  dry  bank  or  a  large  stone.  It  enjoys  a  light,  peaty  soil, 
and  grows  rapidly  when  it  has  once  got  a  start. 
Narcissus  minimus. 
It  is  not  yet  too  late  to  plant  Daffodils,  although  I  prefer  to  have 
them  in  the  ground  considerably  before  this.  I  think,  however,  that 
there  are  many  who  have  rock  gardens  who  would  enjoy  growing  this 
quaint  looking  little  Daffodil  on  their  rockeries.  It  is,  it  may  be, 
superfluous  to  give  any  description  of  it  to  some  who  know  it,  yet 
there  are  many  lovers  of  flowers  to  whom  it  is  an  entire  stranger.  For 
the  latter  it  may  be  said  that  Narcissus  minimus  is  a  tiny — a  very 
tiny — Trumpet  Daffodil,  completely  formed,  and  delightful  in  its 
symmetry.  It  is  also  one  of  the  earliest  to  come  into  bloom.  It 
pleases  the  admirer  of  Alpines  with  its  bright  yellow  trumpet  flowers, 
so  worthy  to  be  the  companions  of  the  gems  which  gladden  us  in  the 
early  year. 
Yucca  filamentosa. 
This  may  appear  foreign  to  these  notes,  and  incongruous  when 
spoken  of  directly  after  the  miniature  flower  which  forms  the  subject 
of  the  preceding  passages.  It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  all 
rock  gardens  are  not  small,  and  that  many  are  made  less  beautiful 
than  they  might  be  because  of  the  absence  of  plants  of  bold  and  effec¬ 
tive  character.  The  Yuccas  can  be  used  with  great  advantage  on  bold 
rockwork,  where  they  produce  a  fine  effect  with  their  long,  pleasing 
leaves,  even  when  out  of  bloom.  When  in  flower  their  spikes  of  white 
blooms  are  always  admired.  Of  the  Yuccas  in  cultivation  none  sur¬ 
pass  Y.  filamentosa  for  hardiness  and  ease  of  cultivation.  It  rarely 
fails  to  bloom  when  established  either  in  the  rockery  or  border.  The 
name  of  filamentosa  is  applied  on  account  of  the  filaments  with  which 
the  margins  of  the  leaves  are  fringed.  This  species  is  not  particular 
as  to  soil. — Alpinus. 
ELiEAGNUS  MACROPHYLLA. 
The  past  hot  dry  summer,  while  injurious  to  some  plants,  has 
brought  out  the  better  qualities  of  others,  more  especially  those  from 
the  far  East,  which  delight  in  plenty  of  bright  sunny  weather.  The 
subject  of  this  note,  a  native  of  China  and  Japan,  is  one  of  the  best  of 
the  evergreen  Elaeagnus,  and  has  flowered  very  freely  this  year. 
The  flovvers,  which  open  in  November,  are  white,  and  not  very 
conspicuous  ;  and  are  produced  usually  in  pairs  on  short  stalks  in 
the  axils  of  the  leaves.  They  are  shortly  tubular,  with  four  small 
triangular  petals,  and  have  a  sweet  scent,  not  unlike  that  of  some  of 
the  Narcissi. 
The  leaves  are  alternate,  nearly  oval  in  shape,  about  3  inches  long 
by  2  inches  broad,  borne  on  petioles  an  inch  in  length  ;  the  margins 
are  entire,  but  the  outer  parts  of  the  leaf  are  undulated,  and  curl 
upwards  slightly  from  the  midrib.  They  are  of  a  deep  shining  green, 
and  covered  with  very  minute  punctures  on  the  upper  surface,  and  of 
a  shining  silver  grey  beneath,  the  two  surfaces  forming  a  pleasing 
contrast  when  the  leaves  are  blown  about  by  the  wind.  The  young 
wood,  the  petioles  of  the  leaves,  and  the  outside  of  the  flowers  are  all 
covered  with  the  minute  brownish  scales,  resembling  small  dots,  so 
common  to  this  genus. 
The  plant  forms  a  low  rounded  shrub,  about  5  or  6  feet  high,  and 
as  much  or  more  in  diameter,  with  the  lower  branches  keeping  in  good 
condition  to  the  ground.  A  rather  poor  light  soil  suits  it  best,  causing 
it  to  grow  more  slowly,  and  enabling  it  to  ripen  its  wood  better.  Like 
most  of  its  all'es,  it  requires  very  little  or  no  feeding,  but  should  be 
liberally  supplied  with  water  during  dry  weather.  It  is  propagated 
by  seeds,  cuttings,  or  grafts ;  but  grafted  plants,  although  more 
quickly  obtained,  are  as  a  rule  not  so  satisfactory  as  those  raised  by 
other  methods. — C. 
