224 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTGULTURF  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
September  2,  1897. 
OwN-EooT  Roses  and  the  Mangold  Heap, 
Poor  Air.  Raillem  has  been  so  signally  worsted  in  the  Medea  rmws 
Alarechal  Niel  controversy  that  it  is  a  pleasure  to  be  able  to  afford  him  a 
feeble  thitter  (and  it  is  a  feeble  one)  at  my  expense  over  own-root  Roses. 
It  is  quaint,  though,  and  the  more  humorous  since  the  author  seems  to 
be  so  sublimely  unconscious  of  it,  to  note  the  coiuparison  between  his 
eiglith  jiaragraph  and  his  first.  Truly  we  are  advancing  in  the  knowledge 
of  how  to  beautify  our  flower  gardens  when  we  are  taught  to  turn  our 
Rose  beds  into  Alangold  heaps  !  Consider  the  ex([uisite  grace  of  a  series 
of  such  mounds.  The  suggestion  gives  us  new  conceptions  of  garden 
decoration.  Once  put  on  the  track  by  Mr.  Raillem,  we  can  evolve  many 
new  and  striking  ornaments.  A  mongst  others  I  might  suggest  turning  our 
Roses  upside  down,  decorating  them  with  an  old  coat  and  a  battered  hat,  and 
making  them  serve  as  scarecrows.  They  would  then  be  not  only  beautiful 
(as  beautiful  as  the  Mangold  heaps  any  way)  but  useful.  1  venture  to 
recommeild  this  as  a  hardy  perennial  Avorthy  of  attention.  It  will  not 
exactly  crop  up  fresh  every  year,  but  by  changing  the  hat  occasionally 
we  shall  get  some  choice  effects.— AV,  Pea. 
SHRUBBY'  VERONK^AS. 
( )LTR  indebtedness  to  New  Zeahilid  atid  Tasmania  for  the  many  new 
and  rare  additions  to  our  already  large  collections  of  garden  plants  can 
hardly  be  over-estimated  when  the  surprising  way  in  which  some  of  them 
adapt  themselves  to  our  average  Knglish  winter  is  taken  into  considera¬ 
tion.  That  much  remains  yet  to  be  done  in  the  way  of  fresh  introductions 
before  we  can  form  an  ade(iuate  idea  of  the  richness  of  the  vegetation  in 
those  countries  is  shown  in  the  words  of  a  popular  writer,  who,  in  refer¬ 
ence  to  Tasmania  in  particular,  says,  “  Somersetshire  cannot  surpass  her 
orchards,  nor  Devon  match  her  flowers  and  even  in  the  handbooks  of 
the  floras  the  many  plants  we  see  described  as  ex(iuisite  garden  plants 
that  have  not  yet  been  introduced  lead  us  to  hope  for  not  a  few  genuine 
surprises,  and  anxiously  await  the  result  of  some  enthusiastic  and  enter¬ 
prising  collector’s  researches. 
Of  the  New  Zealand  plants  already  introduced  shrubby  Veronicas 
form  a  fair  proportion,  and  are  useful  in  many  ways,  among  which  the 
decoration  of  the  rockery  and  to  give  variety  to  the  mixed  flower  border 
are  not  the  least  prominent,  some  few  also  being  specially  adapted  for  pot 
culture,  and  when  well  grown  they  are  by  no  means  to  be  despised  either 
as  window  or  table  plants  or  for  the  greenhouse.  Their  cultivation  is 
comparatively  easy,  the  principal  object  being  to  obtain  well  furnished 
plants,  which  is  by  no  means  difficult,  as  they  will  stand  any  amount  of 
pinching  back  without  injury,  and  may  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
grower. 
I  have  found  stopping  the  shoots  early  in  spring  the  most  successful 
way  of  obtaining  dw'arf  bushy  plants,  and  it  does  not  in  the  least  retard 
their  free  flowering.  It  is  always  advisable  to  keep  them  in  rather  small 
pots,  giving  a  top-dressing  of  stable  or  liquid  manure  in  small  quantities 
to  compensate  for  the  restriction. 
Traversi,  hardy  except  in  very  severe  winters,  is  free  flowering  and  of 
neat  habit.  It  seldom  grows  moi’e  than  a  foot  to  2  feet  in  height,  and  its 
large  spikes  of  white  and  purplish  flowers,  somewhat  in  the  way  of  the 
well-known  Andersoni,  are  very  attractive  ;  they  are  produced  in  the 
greatest  profusion,  and  last  more  or  less  throughout  the  summer.  The 
leaves  are  of  a  lively  shining  green,  and  for  this  reason  the  plant  is 
extensively  used  in  some  large  gardens  for  greenhouse  decoration, 
together  with  many  other  fine-foliage  plants  to  intermix  with  spring 
flowers.  It  is  increased  from  cuttings  Avith  tlie  greatest  ease  in  the 
ordinary  way.  A  native  of  the  Aliddle  Island,  where  it  is  found 
abundantly. 
Salicifolia  is  one  of  the  most  variable  of  all  the  Veronicas,  and  under 
cultivation  runs  into  many  forms.  It  is  one  of  the  principal  parents  of 
the  many  hybrids  which  Ave  have  in  gardens,  among  the  best  of  which 
are  kermesina,  Lindleyana,  Andersoni,  versicolor,  lineariaefolia,  and  many 
others,  the  merits  of  Avhich  are  pretty  well  known  and  appreciated.  The 
flowers  are  produced  in  the  same  Avay  as  the  above,  and  are  variable  both 
in  size  and  colour.  This  is  a  desirable  plant  for  the  conservatory,  and 
very  useful  for  planting  between  Camellias  in  beds. 
Of  hardy  species  we  have  a  large  number  to  choose  from,  and  no  one 
Avho  has  them  nestling  among  the  stones  in  the  rockery  can  doubt  their 
usefulness  or  appropriateness  for  this  purpose.  Indeed,  it  would  be  diffi¬ 
cult  to  find  another  class  of  plants  more  suitable,  and  possessing  the 
twofold  quality  of  enlivening  with  their  fioAvers,  which,  if  not  very  attrac¬ 
tive,  are  interesting  through  the  summer,  and  of  breaking  the  monotony 
of  bare  stones  and  rocks  with  their  shining  green  or  glaucous  leaves 
during  winter. 
In  favourable  situations  elliptica  (syn.,  decussata)  attains  considerable 
dimensions  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years,  on  account  of  which  it 
should  be  planted  in  bold  positions  with  good  backing.  It  has  been  con¬ 
founded  with  formosa,  but  how  I  am  unable  to  determine,  the  latter  being 
a  small-leaved  species  from  Tasmania,  while  elliptica  has  large,  broad, 
oval  shaped  leaves,  and  is  very  distinct.  The  flowers,  Avhich  are  produced 
in  clusters,  are  white  or  purplish,  becoming  more  intense  as  they  grow 
older.  The  figure  shows  a  small  flowering  branch  of  this  plant. 
Diosmgefolia  is  a  dwarf  bushy  species,  seldom  attaining  more  than 
1  foot  in  height.  It  has  been  appropriately  named  “  The  Rockery  Gem,” 
the  numerous  flowers  covering  the  plant.  Among  others  ecjually  desir¬ 
able  are  Isevis,  amplexicaulis,  anomala,  chathamica,  epacridea,  Haasti, 
pinquifolia,  salicornioides,  and  ligustrifolia. — M.  S. 
HORTICULTUBAL  SHOWS. 
PERTH.— August  20Tir  and  21st. 
The  annual  exhibition  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  I’erth* 
shire  Avas  held  in  the  City  Hall,  Perth,  on  Fi  iday  and  Saturday,  20th  and 
21st  August.  Owing  to  many  local  shoAvs  being  held  on  the  same  date 
the  entiies  were  considerably  under  the  average,  but  the  merits  of  the 
exliibits  Avere  in  most  cases  quite  up  to  the  usual  high  standard. 
The  main  feature  of  the  show  was  the  groujis  of  jdants  9  feet  in 
diameter,  0])en  to  all  ;  and  the  tables  of  plants,  10  feet  by  5  feet,  open  to 
gardeners.  In  the  former  there  were  three  entries.  The  ])remier 
|)Osition  Avas  gained  by  Air.  E.  Rogers  Bush  (of  Alessrs.  Harley  &  Sons, 
florists)  with  a  gracefully  arranged  group,  having  a  nice  Phoenix  as  a 
central  plant,  surrounded  Avith  Crotons,  Pandanus,  Cocos,  Eulalias, 
and  Cypenis  distans,  intermixed  AAuth  Carnations,  Chrysanthemums,  and 
Gloxinias,  nicely  set  in  a  groundwoi’k  of  Alaidenhair  Ferns  and  Coleus. 
The  second  ])rize  Avas  gained  by  Air.  AVm.  Little,  gardener  to  P.  W. 
Canqibell,  Es(i.,  Aluirtonbank,  Avith  a  someAvhat  similar  arrangement ; 
and  the  third  ))y  Air.  Leslie,  gardener  to  AndreAv  Coates,  Estp,  Pitcullen, 
Avhose  grou])  contained  some  excellent  Crotons,  Cocos,  and  Cockscombs. 
There  were  four  entries  for  the  tables,  all  of  which  were  of  very  high 
merit.  The  first  place  Avas  adjudicated  to  Air.  F.  Nicol,  gardener  to 
Thomas  Roy,  Esq.,  of  CraigcloAvan,  for  a  table  principally  composed  of 
( Irchids,  Liliums,  and  Adiantums.  Amongst  the  ( irehids  Avere  some  nice 
( Idontoglots,  Dendrobes,  Cypripediums,  Oncidiums,  and  Cattleyas,  all 
combining  to  make  an  exceedingly  pretty  table.  Second,  Air.  Win. 
Little,  who  had  splendidly  coloured  Crotons,  Draemnas,  Pandanus,  inter¬ 
spersed  with  I’ancratiums,  Liliums,  and  Clerodendron  fallax,  gracefully 
set  up  ill  a  background  of  F’erns,  and  edged  with  Panicum,  Selaginella, 
and  Asparagus  deflexus.  Third,  Air.  Ijcslie  ;  fourth.  Air.  T.  Dobbin, 
gardener  to  .james  Ramsay,  Esq.,  llalhousie  Castle,  Avhose  table  contained 
some  handsome  little  Crotons.  Specimen  plants  were  not  numerous,  the 
leading  positions  Avere  gained  by  Messrs.  Leslie  and  Little. 
Fruit,  considering  the  season,  Avas  fairly  good.  F’or  collections  of 
tAvelve  and  eight  sorts  Air.  Leslie  was  the  only  competitor,  showing  very 
good  fruit  in  both  collections.  Grapes  were  very  good.  F’’or  tAvo  bunches 
Black  Hamburghs  Air.  Lawrence,  Oakbank,  Avas  first  with  beautifully 
finished  medium  sized  bunches  ;  Air.  Dobbin  second.  For  two  bunches 
Muscat  Air.  Le.slie  occupied  first  place.  One  bunch  black,  any  sort.  Air. 
Little  first  with  Gros  Colman  ;  second,  Air.  Leslie  Avith  Aladresfield 
Court.  Hardy  fruit  was  largely  shown  and  of  fairly  good  ([uality. 
Cut  flowers  were  shown  in  the  varioiAS  sections  and  helped  to  brighten 
the  hall.  Alessrs.  1).  &  AV.  Croll  staged  excellent  Roses,  both  11.  F. 
and  Teas.  For  Chrysanthemums,  twelve  blooms,  ladies’  sprays  and 
buttonhole  boiuiuets,  Air.  Bush  occupied  first  place  ;  tAvelve  greenhouse 
and  stove  trusses.  Air.  Little  was  first  with  an  excellent  stand  ;  while  in 
the  class  for  bouquets  Air.  Harris,  Greenbank,  was  winner. 
Vegetables  were  of  the  usual  excellent  quality,  the  principal  prize- 
takers  being  Alessrs.  Harper,  Tulliebelton  ;  AIcFarlane,  Kilgraston  ;  and 
Robertson,  Springland.  In  the  amateurs’  section  there  was  a  considerable 
falling  off,  OAving  to  the  numerous  local  shows  being  held  at  the  same 
time. 
BRIGHTON.— August  24th  and  25th. 
Good  as  the  exhibitions  at  Brighton  have  been  of  late  years  the  last 
summer  shoAV  Avas  in  advance  of  its  predecessors.  Groups,  both  of  I'eims 
and  miscellaneous  plants  Avere  good,  w'hile  the  stove  and  greenhouse 
plants  from  Air.  .1.  Warren,  Hand  Cross  Park,  CraAvley,  were  remarkable 
for  their  rich  colouring  aud  general  excellence.  The  Dome,  Coi'ii 
Exchange,  and  AA^estern  Lawn  proved  none  too  large  for  the  exhibits. 
Air.  AAL  C.  Hollands,  Tunbridge  AVells,  won  for  a  circular  group, 
18  feet  by  10,  Avith  a  light  and  graceful  arrangement.  This  secured  the 
Society’s  silver  medal  and  possession  of  the  Corporation  challenge  cup 
for  the  year,  in  addition  to  a  substantial  prize.  Air.  G.  Aliles,  Dyke  Road, 
Brighton,  was  a  good  second,  but  appeared  too  heavy  in  the  background. 
This  exhibitor’s  group  of  I’erns  Avas  one  of  the  prettiest  features  in 
the  show,  although  closely  run  by  Air.  Adams,  gardener  to  the  Rev.  Sir 
George  Shiffner,  Bart,,  Coombe  Place,  Lewes,  who  always  has  Ferns  in 
grand  style.  Tables  of  flowering  and  foliage  plants  were  good,  Mr. 
Lawrence,  gardener  to  Air.  T.  Oliver,  Horsham,  just  beating  Air.  AV.  C. 
Hollands. 
F’or  six  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  in  bloom  Air.  A.  Gibson,  gardener 
to  Mr.  T.  F.  Bui-naby  Atkins,  Halstead  Place,  Sevenoaks,  beat  Air.  J. 
AA^ari’en,  Hand  Cross  Park,  but  Air.  AA'^arren  was  ahead  for  si.x  exotic 
I'erns,  a  specimen  Croton,  a  specimen  Palm,  aud  a  stove  or  greenhouse 
plant  in  bloom.  Air.  T.  Fairs,  gardener  to  R.  Clowes,  Esip,  Clayton, 
Hassocks,  was  first  for  twelve  Begonias,  Air.  E.  Aleachen,  gardener  to 
Aliss  Armstrong,  AA'^oodslea,  Preston,  being  a  good  second.  Air.  E. 
Boyling,  gardener  to  Aliss  AA^illett,  Hurstpierpoint,  Avent  before  Air.  Fairs 
for  six  Gloxinias.  Air.  LaAvrence  beat  Air.  H.  Garnett  for  six  well- 
coloured  Crotons,  but  the  positions  Avere  reversed  for  the  same  number  of 
