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JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC. * April 1960 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A union of the American Horticultural Society and the American H orticultural Council 1600 BLADENSBURG ROAD) NORTHEAST. WASHINGTON 2, D. C.

For United Horticulture *** to accumulate) increase) and disseminate hm"ticultural information

B. Y. MORRISON) Editor Directors T erms Expiring 1960 JAMES R. HARLOW) Managing Editor DONOVAN S. CORRELL T exas Editorial Committee CARL W. FENNINGER Pennsylvania W. H. HODGE, Chairman W. H . HODGE Pennsylvania JOH N L. CREECH A. J . IRVING FREDERIC P . L EE New York WILLIAM C. STEERE CONRAD B. LINK New Yo rk CURTIS MAY Tenns Expi1'ing 1961 FREDERICK G . MEYER STUART M. ARMSTRONG WILBUR H. YOUNGMAN Maryland JOH N L. CREECH Maryland WILLIAM H. FREDERICK, JR. Officers Delawa1'e FRANCIS PATTESON-KNIGHT PRESIDENT Virginia RICHARD P. WHITE Washington, D. C. DONA LD WYMAN Massachusetts F IRST VICE· PRESIDENT T enns Expi'ring 1962 DONALD W YMAN Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts FREDERIC P. L EE Maryland H ENRY T. SKINNER SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT District ot Columbia STUART M. ARMSTRONG GEORGE H . SPALDING Silver Spring, Maryland California RICHARD P. WHITE SECRETARY-TREASURER District ot Columbia OLIVE E. WEATHER ELL ANNE WERTSNER WOOD Washington, D. C. Pennsylvania

The American Horticultural Magazine is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society and is issued four times a year during the quarters commencing with January, AprIl, July and October. It is devoted to the dissemina tion of knowledge in the science and art of growing ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and related subjects. Original papers increasing the historical, varietal, and cultural knowledges of plant materials of economic and aesthetic importance are welcomed and will be published as early as possible. The Chairman of the Editorial Committee should be consulted for manuscript specifications. Reprints, saddle-stapled, will be furnished in accordance with the following schedule of prices, plus postage, and should be ordered at the time the galley proof is returned by the author: One hundred copies-2 pp $6.60; 4 pp $12.10; 8 pp $25.30; 12 pp $36.30; Covers $12.10.

Entered as second class matter in the post office at Baltimore. Maryland. in accordance with the Act of August 24. 19 12. Additional entry for Washington, D.C., was authorized July 15, 1955. in accordance with the pro­ visions of Section 132 .122, Postal Manual. A subscription to The American Horticultural Magazine is included as a benefit of membership in the American Horticultural Society. Individ ual Membership dues being 16.00 a year. APRIL. 1960

FORI'vIERLY THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 39 • NUMBER 2

Contents Rhododendron Species for the Sma ll Home Garden H. H. DAVIDIAN ______61

Echeveria ERIC "\,tv AL THER 73

Daphnes CLARENCE VAN HOUTEN ______.. ______92

Culitvated Philippine Mussaendas MONA LISA STEINER ______.. ______98

Blackspot and Powdery Mildew of Roses JOHN G. PALMER and T. J. HENNEBERRY _____ .______108

A Book or Two ______.__ ..______....______III

T he Gardeners' Pocketbook Magnolia wilsoni. J OHN L. CREECH ______116 Pumice Rocks. FREDERICK W. COE ______117 Rutherford Hybrid Azaleas. NIRs. R. G. STAPLETON ______117 Two Uncommon African Members of the Mint Family D. G. H UTTLESTON ______120 Magnolia coco. FREDERICK W. COE ______. ______122

APRIL COVER ILLUSTRATION (ERIC WALTHER)

A close-up view of the foliage of Echeve'ria lalani . . . one of the hundreds of photographs Eric Walther made of the Echeveria he grew and found in their native h omes . . See details on Page 73

Cot)yright 1960 by The A merican H orticult.ural Society, I nc. C L.AUDE H OPE

Rhododendron impeditum

rNAT URA L SIZE) Rhododendron Species For the Small Home or Rock Garden

H. H. DAVIDIAN

the history of plant introduction, George Forrest explored Yunnan and Szechuan, and in the course of seven expeditions to western China, he enriched our rock gardens with a large number of rhodo­ dendrons. Several other species and new Rhododendrons, which grow from a forms were sent by various other collec­ few inches up to about three feet and tors, including Farrer, Rock, Kingdon­ which are particularly well suited for the Ward, and Ludlow and Sherriff. small home or rock garden, are amongst The vast majority of these plants are the important and popular plants in natives of western China and the Hima­ present day horticulture. laya, where they grow at elevations of It may be of interest to give a brief eight to about seventeen thousand feet, note on the history of introduction of and are found in varied habitats. Some these low-growing species. The first spe­ of the species of the Lapponicum Series cies introduced into cultivation in 1656 are said to cover the moorlands iust as was RhododendTOn hiTSutum, from the heather does in the British moorlands. European mountains. The next was R. In cultivation these low-growing spe­ ferTugineum, which is said to have ar­ cies provide color from January or Feb­ rived about a hundred years later. A ruary until July or August. but most of few more were added towards the end of them are in flower from the middle of the eighteenth and in the nineteenth April to the middle of June. cen turies. Between the years 1848-1851 Although a great number of species Toseph Hooker was responsible for the present themselves for consideration, ref­ introduction of several species from the erence will be made in this account to Himalaya, and during the latter half of a large selection which are ideally suit­ the ninetenth century the F!ench Mis­ able for the small home or rock garden. sionaries made some funher contribu­ tions from southeast Tibet, southwest Anthopogon Series Szechuan, and northwest Yunnan. A few One of the most remarkable in this others were received from Ernest H. Wil­ Series is Rhododendron sarRentianum, a son during his exploration of western native of western Szechuan, from whence China early in the present century. In it was introduced by Wilson in 1903. It the year 1904, which is a landmark in is a compact shrub up to two feet high with aromatic foliage, and makes a won­ derful show with its yellow or white flowers produced freely, in clusters of six to twelve. The plant is hardy, a robust grower, and is easy to cultivate. . Familiar to many gardeners IS R. · !\'[r. H. H. Davidian is a taxonomist on the staff of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, cephalanthum, discovered in 1884 by Scotland. He is the leading taxonomist on true Delavay in Yunnan near Lankong and rhododendron species and a contributor of Hokin. It is fairly widespread in west­ numerous articles on rhododpndrons in British ern China and Upper Burma at eleva­ horticultural publications. The Royal Botanic tions of nine to fifteen thousand feet. Garden of Edinburgh grows, under rock ~arden cnn(l;tion~. the world's finest collection of dwarf This wide distribution and altitudinal rhododendrons. rang·e explains the great variability of [61] 62 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE the species in habit and height, in leaf Boothi Series shape and size, and in flower color. One of the earliest of all rhododen­ Amongst the several forms in cultiva­ drons to burst into bloom is R. leucaspis, tion, one which is compact and wide an outstanding plant, discovered by spreading bearing a profusion of pink Kingdon-Ward in 1924 at lVlusi La, in flowers in clusters of eight toO twelve, is the Tsangpo Gorge, Tibet, at ten thou­ of great beauty and generally considered sand feet. It is compact in growth, up to be the best. The variety crebrefiorum to two feet high or more, with large is a compact shrub up to eight inches rounded or obovate leaves up toO two high, and is greatly admired when cov­ inches long, and is extremely charming ered with rose-pink flowers in April or when adorned with large, pure white, May. A close ally is R. primulaefiorum, single or paired flowers. The plant is uncommon in cultivation. This plant is easy of cultivation, but as it flowers in upright in growth up to three oOr four February or March, disappointment is to feet in height with rigid branchlets, and be expected, for the flowers and flower­ attracts attention with its white, pink or buds are sometimes completely destroyed by early spring frosts. Otherwise it is rose flowers. It is perfectly hardy, is easy hardy, and well deserves the Royal Hor­ of cultivation, and is worthy of being ticultural Society's Award of Merit widely grown. which it received in 1924 and the First Another member of this Series is R. Class Certificate in 1944. A near ally is anthopogon, introduced into cultivation R . megeratum, "lovely in the highest de­ in 1820 from the Himalaya where it is gree," with openly bell-shaped or saucer­ widely distributed at elevations of nine shaped yellow flowers, usually in single to sixteen thousand feet. It is an inter­ or paired clusters. It is a compact shrub esting plant with large aromatic leaves or sometimes straggly and spreading, which are said to be used as incense in with rounded leaves, very glaucous be­ --r:ibetan monasteries. The plant is a neath. Although hardy, it is particular VIgorous grower up to eighteen inches as to position in the small home or rock high, with pink flowers produced in garden. To obtain the best results, some April or early in May. The closely related shade and protection from wind are es­ R. hyp.enan.th.um,. also a Himalayan sential. plant, IS dlstlOgmshed by its yellow Another interesting plant in this Series flowers. is R . auritum, known only from an iso­ A very rare plant in cultivation is R. lated locality in the Tsangpo Gorge near laudandum, discovered by Ludlow and Pemako-chung, where Kingdon-'Ward Sherriff in 1936, at Tsari Lapu, southern discoOvered it in fruit in November 1924. Tibet, growing at an elevation of fifteen Although in its native hoOme it is said to thousand feet. This is a compact bushy reach a height of ten feet, in cultiva tion s~liub, up to one foot high in cultiva­ in the Royal Botanic Garden at Edin­ t1<;m, ~nd provides an admirable display burgh, it hardly exceeds three or four With Its many-flowered pink or white feet, being of a bushy habit with tubu­ trusses, in April. The oniy plant in the lar-bell shaped creamy-yellow flowers Royal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, a about an inch long, produced in great neat shrub of nine inches, suffered an profusion. It has proved to be of sturdy untimely fate some years ago. habit, fairly fast growing, and is well Among the dwarf rhododendrons in­ woOrth attempting. troduced by Forrest from Yunnan, per­ A popular plant of great merit is R. haps few stand out with greater distinc­ teph1'opeplum, one of Farrer's discov­ tiveness than R. trichostomum var. eries in northeast Upper Burma in 1920. ledoides. It is a densely branched shrub It was subsequently collected by Forrest, up to three feet in height, sometimes Rock, and Kingdon-Ward in other local­ low and spreading, with linear-Ianceolate ities in Burma, Yunnan, Tibet, and As­ leaves, and large globose trusses of up sam, at elevations of eight to fourteen to twenty-five or thirty pink or rose thousand feet. As is to be expected froOm flowers. The plant is quite hardy, free­ its wide geographical distribution and flow ering, and should be a most valuable altitudinal range, it varies considerably acquisition for any small home or rock in height of growth, in the shape and garden. size of the leaf, and in the size of the APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 63 flower. It is a spreading or upright shrub, Ferrugineum Series with tubular-hell shaped, pink to car­ This Series consists of three species, mine-rose flowers in clusters of three to R. hirsutum, R. ferrugineum, and R. nine. A low spreading form is ideally Iwtschyi, all of which are natives of the suitable for the rock garden and should European mountains. R. hi1'Sutum is of be in every collection of rhododendrons. historical importance because, as already mentioned in the introduction, it was Campylogynum Series the first rhododendron introduced into cultivation in Britain in 1656. In its An old favorite in gardens is R. cam­ native home it is confined to limestone pylog)lnum, a most attractive plant, dis­ formation, but in cultivation it thrives covered in 1883 by Delavay on the Tali ~nd flourishes in acid soils. It is a pleas­ range, western Yunnan, and introduced lllg shrub up to two or three feet high by Forrest from the same region in 1912. with bristly hairs on the margins of the It is a neat, spreading shrub, up to eight­ leaves, and rose-pink or rose-scarlet tubu­ een inches high, with bell-shaped flowers lar-bell shaped flowers. Closely related is R . ferrugineum, known as the "Alpine usually single or paired, nodding on Rose of Switzerland," which is similar to long flower-stalks. The flower color is its ally in several respects. In the rock very variable from salmon-pink to almost garden in the Royal Botanic Garden, black-purple. The variety myrtilloides, Edinburgh, it forms a conspicuous fea­ first collected by Kingdon-Ward in ture, and is an unusually attractive sight northeast Upper Burma, has tiny flowers, when adorned with a profusion of rose­ and well deserves the Award of Merit purple flowers. R. kotschyi is a densely and First Class Certificate which it re­ branched shrub, usually up to two feet ceived in 1925 and 1943, respectively. in height, and is exceedingly charming Variety charopoeum, discovered by Far­ with its deep rose-purple flowers, na;­ rer in northeast Upper Burma, has rowly tubular with spreading lobes. All larger flowers than the type, being about three species are perfectly hardy, and are an inch long. In hardiness of constitu­ extremely useful in that they are late tion, in general adaptability to various flowerers, prolonging the flowering sea­ situations, in freedom of flower, in beau­ son into June or July. ty of habit and of flower, and in ease of cultivation, this species and its varieties have all the essential qualities of ideal Glaucophyllum Series plants for the small home or rock garden and deserve the widest possible recog­ One of the finest in this Series is R. nition. glaucophyllum, a native of the Hima­ laya, from whence it was introduced by Hooker in 1850. The species is fairly Camtschaticum Series common in cultivation, and grows up to four feet in height or more, but some A particularly fine species is R. cam­ forms up to eighteen inches are well tschaticum. Although it was first intro­ suited for the rock garden. An attractive duced in 1799 and reintroduced several feature is th,e glaucous under surfaces times since then, it is still uncommon in of the leaves. The flowers are bell­ cultivation. The plant is hardy and well shaped, up to an inch long, pink, rose or adapts itself to cold gardens. It is a de­ pinkish-purple, in clusters of four to ciduous low-growing shrub usually up to ten. The variety tubitorme, which grows nine inches high with deep rose-purple up to two or three feet high, seldom fails ,or rose-crimson, rotate or openly fun­ to display the beauty of its long tubular nel-shaped flowers. This plant has an in­ rose-pink flowers in April or May. Close­ teresting feature in that it layers itself ly akin is R. tsangpoense, discovered and as it grows along the surface of the introduced by Kingdon-Ward in 1924 ground. In the rock garden in the Royal from the Doshong La, Tibet. It is a vig­ Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, it provides orous-growing shrub up to two or three an admirable display with masses of feet, with bell-shaped pinkish-purple flowers in Mayor June. flowers about an inch long. In cultiva- 64 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ERIC WALTHER

Rhododendron tephropeplum APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 65

ROYAL BOTANIC GAR.DEN, E DI NBURGH Rhododendron leucaspis

Rhododendron campylogynum var. myrtilloides

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, EDINBURGH 66 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE tion, several plants should be grouped the Valley of Chung River, Yunnan, at together to give effect to the beauty of ten thousand and five hundred feet. lL the flowers. has been introduced into cultivation 011 Special reference must be made to R. several occasions. The best form is one chaYitopes, "lovely of aspect," an uncom­ with large deep violet-blue flowers, in mon plant in rock gardens. Farrer dis­ clusters of up to nine. The species is very covered this species in the Shing Hong hardy, and is easy to grow. Pass, northeast Upper Burma, in 1920 Another exceptionally fine plant is R. a t an elevation of twelve thousand feet. micTOleucum, the albino .of this series. It grows up to two or three feet high The species was described in 193 3 from "vith large rounded leaves, and is of ex­ a plant growing in the rock garden at quisite beauty when covered with large Exbury, raised from Forrest's seed pre­ widely bell-shaped flowers of apple­ sumably collected in western China, and blossom pink speckled with crimson. was awarded the First Class Certificate The plant is hardy, but requires a sunny in 1933. It is compact in growth, up to aspect with some protection from wind, eighteen inches high, and is most attrac­ for the best results to be obtained. It is tive when covered with white flowers in a charming plant for the rock garden, April or May. and is worthy of more general cultiva­ More sturdy of h abit, and one which is tion. uncommon in rock gardens, is R. dasy­ A remarkably distinct species in this petalum, first collected by Forrest on the series is R. bmchyanthum, a native of Li-ti-ping, northwest Yunnan, at eleven Yunnan and southeast Tibet. It grows thousand feet. It forms a compact bush up to five feet, but a spreading form, up usually up to two feet high, and seldom to two feet high, is well adapted to the fails to put forth a wealth of color in rock garden. The flowers are yellow, bell­ April or early in May. The plant is rec­ shaped, on long flower-stalks, in clusters ognized by the large broadly funnel­ of three to ten. It is a valuable plant in shaped flow ers, deep purple-rose in color, that it is a late-flowerer, the flowers ap­ in clusters of up to four. pearing in June or July. Few plants are more significant than R. yussatum when it provides a mass of bloom in late spring. The species is one Lapponicum Series of Forrest's discoveries in northwest Yunnan growing at twelve thousand feet. This series consists of a great array of It is a variable plant up to four feet high, rhododendrons, most of which have but the smaller forms are excellently proved their worth in general cultiva­ suited for the rock garden. The flowers tion. Comment will be made on a selec­ are usually larger than in most species in tion of eleven species which, amongst this series, being pale purplish-mauve others, may be considered both choice to deep violet-mauve in color, in clusters and interesting, worthy of being grown of four to eight. The plant is easily in any collection. grown, and is generally regarded as be­ An exceptionally fine and popular ing one of the best of this series. plant is R. impeditum, discovered by Mention must be made of R. lapponi­ Forres t on the Lichiang Range, Yunnan, cum, one of the most difficult of all spe­ in 1910. This is a compact shrub, up to cies. Although first introduced in 1825, one foot or more in height, very free· it is still a rare plant in cultivation. It flowering, and exceedingly attractive is a slow-growing shrub up to about nine with its pale or purplish-blue flowers in inches high, with deep purplish flowers clusters of up to five. The plant is hio-hly in clusters of two to six. The plant rated, and received the Award of Merit should be grown in cold gardens, fairly in 1944. moist at the root, with some shelter from One of the most distinct and beautiful strong winds, for the best results to be in t.his Series is R. hippophaeoides, an obtained. upnght shrub of two or three feet. It One of Kingdon-Ward's finest discov­ commences to flower towards the end of eries is R. chY)lseum, a small shrub which April or early in May. Kingdon-Ward grows up to two feet high with bright discovered this plant in 1913 growing in yellow flow ers in clusters of two to five. APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 67

Amongst the several forms in cultiva­ inches high in cui ti vation, with single tion, one introduced by Rock is a com­ or paired yellow flowers situated on pact shrub which no one can fail to ad­ long flower-stalks. It was discovered in mire when covered with a profusion of 1950 by the late D. G. Lowndes in Nepal flowers in April or May. The species is growing in rock crevices at thirteen hardy and should be included in every thousand and five hundred feet. The collection of rhododendrons. A close species flowered for the first time in the ally is R. flavidum, discovered by Sou lie R?yal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, in western Szechuan. It grows up to raised from seed taken from a herbarium three or four feet high with large pale fruiting specimen collected by Polunin, yellow flowers, and is a valuable plant Sykes and Williams in Nepal in 1952. It [or the small home or rock garden. has proved to be most attractive in Two other species, worthy of special flower, and would be well worth ac­ notice, are R. intTicatum and R. stic­ q uiring for every rock garden. tophyllum. The former is upright in growth, up to two or three feet, with pale lavender-purple or mauve flowers, whilst the latter is compact, up to two Maddeni Series feet, with purple to deep rose-purple flowers. Both species flower very freely, An interesting species in this series is and give delightful color displays in R. valentinianum, discovered by Forrest April or May. Yet another fine plant is in 1917 in the Shweli-Salwin divide R. scintillans up to two or three feet Yunnan, at eleven thousand feet. Tw~ high, with pale rose-purple or lavender­ forms are in cultivation, one introduced blue or deep blue-purple flowers. It is a by Forrest, a compact spreading shrub pleasing species, very highly rated, par­ up to about eighteen inches high with ticularly the form with deep blue-purple rounded leaves; and one introduced by flowers, and it received the Award of Rock, upright in growth up to three Merit in 1924 and the First Class Certifi­ feet with pointed leaves. The beautiful ca te in 1934. large yellow flowers, in clusters of two to six, appear freely in March or April, but unfortunately, they are apt to succumb Lepidotum Series to heavy spring frosts. A near ally is R. oiliatum, introduced from the Hima­ Amongst the later-flowering species is laya in 1850. The plant is common in R. lepidotum, which is widely distrib­ cultivation, and grows up to three or uted in the Himalaya and western China four feet in height or sometimes up to at elevations of eight to sixteen thou­ five or six feet or more. In March or sand feet. It is a very variable plant, April it provides a mass of color with its and in cultivation it is compact or strag­ white or pink flowers which, however, gly or upright up to two or three feet like those of its ally, are liable to be de­ high with pink to crimson or yellow stroyed by early spring frosts. flowers. The species has long been in cultivation, having been introduced in 1850. The free-flowering compact forms Moupinense Series \lP to eighteen inches high are well worth growing in the rock garden. An An early flowering rhododendron is ally is R. baileyi, a remarkably distinct R. moupinense. It is a most remarkable species which makes a fine show in May species of two to four feet, introduced with its deep crimson-purple or deep by Wilson from western Szechuan where purple flowers in clusters of five to nine it often grows as an epiphyte on broad­ or more. It is a fairly fast-growing shrub leaved trees. The plant flowers in Feb­ and reaches up to four or five feet in ruary, and when it escapes the frost, it height, although the smaller forms up to heralds spring with a blaze of white or two or three feet are well suited for the rose-pink, funnel-shaped flowers. An at­ small home or rock garden. tractive feature is the young foliage, One of the most beautiful of all spe­ bronzy-brown in color. The species is cies is R. lowndesi, a dainty spreading easy to grow, and is well worth a place deciduous shrub, up to three or four in every rock garden. 68 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL :MAGAZINE

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, EDINBURGH

Rhododendron moupinense APRIL 1960, VOLUi'vIE 39, NUMBER 2 69

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN J EDINBURGH

Rhododendron williamsianum

Rhododendron imperator

ROYAL BOTA N IC GARDE N , EDI NBURGH 70 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Neriiflorum Series pletely hiding the leaves. The young foliage, bluish-green in color, is most dis­ An exceptionally fine plant, being one tinctive and attracts attention. The plant of the most elegant of Forrest's discov­ is very hardy and is easily adaptable to eries, is undoubtedly R. forresti var. any position in the rock garden. Variety rep ens which well deserves the First Class calciphilum has smaller leaves, with pale Certificate awarded to it in 1935. It is a pinkish flowers. creeper with single or paired large, tubu­ A fairly common plant in cultivation lar-bell-shaped crimson flowers, for which is R. keleticum, first collected by Forrest the dark green foliage provides an effec­ in southeast Tibet in 1919. It is a semi­ tive contrast. The plant is a slow grower prostrate spreading shrub, usually up to and is reputed to be difficult, although one foot high, and produces masses of in the Royal Botanic Garden at Edin­ large, deep purplish-crimson flowers in burgh, two large plants seldom fail to Mayor June. Its near ally, R. radicans, display the beauty of their ~owers. pro­ is a completely prostrate creeper with duced with great freedom In Apnl or May. The closely related R. chamae­ very narrow leaves, and provides a glori­ thomsoni is an upright straggly shrub, ous display of dark rose-purple flowers up to two or three feet high, with large in May. In some forms a distinct feature flowers, usually crimson in color, in clus­ is the rooting- of the branches as they ters of up to four. Like its ally, it is a creep along the ground. Although both slow grower and many years are required species are hardy, early severe frosts are before it flowers freely. The flowers ap­ apt to damage the plants, as was seen in pear in March or April, but an early the Royal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh spring frost takes its heavy toll. last season. Another delightful plant in this series Another charming plant is R. pros­ is R. aperantum, discovered by Farrer in tratum, discovered by Forrest on the Li­ 1920 in northeast Upper Burma, cover­ chiang Range, Yunnan, growing at fif­ ing the high alpine slopes for miles. In teen to sixteen thousand feet, almost at cultivation it grows up to about two feet the limit of vegetation. It is a prostrate high wi th leaves arranged in rosettes and spreading shrub, usually up to one foot large, pink to deep crimson or yellow high, which no one can fail to admire Rowers. Although it is a slow grower when smothered with crimson flowers in and often a shy flowerer, it is well worth April or May. attempting, being one of the finest in its Other interesting species include R. series. The plant is quite hardy but re­ saluenense which grows from two to four quires some shade and protection from feet high, flowering in April or Mav: wind. Related to it is R. didymum, a R. chameunum, up to two feet, usually pleasing species with leaves covered be­ with smaller leaves, the flowers appear­ neath with fawn or silvery indumentum. ing in Mayor June; and R. nitens, a late It is hardy in sheltered positions, and a flowerer, extending the flowering season well-grown plant two to three feet high, into July or sometimes August. laden with large deep crimson flowers, is most effective in June or July. Scahrifolium Series

Saluenense Series One of the finest in this series is R. spiciferum, a free-flowering species, dis­ One of the most striking in this series covered in 1891 by Delavay in northwest is R. calostrotum, discovered by Kingdon­ Yunnan. It is a spreading shrub up to Ward in northeast Burma at an eleva­ three feet high with bristly and pubes­ tion of thirteen thousand feet. The spe­ cent branchlets and leaves. In April or cies is variable in habit; it may be com­ May it makes a wonderful sight with its pact or upright, up to three feet high. rose flowers in axillary clusters in the Some forms up to one foot are extremely upper parts of the shoots. The plant is free-flowering and make a fine show in h ardy, is easy to cultivate, and should be Mayor June with large, saucer-shaped grown in every small home or rock gar­ pinkish-purple or crimson flowers, com- den. APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 71

Taliense Series masses of yellow or creamy-white flowers in clusters of six to twelve or more, in Reference must be made to R. pro­ April. Although a slow grower, it is an num, a remarkably distinct species which, excellent plant for the small home or however, is very rare in cultivation. For­ rock garden. est first collected this plant in mid-west Another beautiful plant with yellow Yunnan in 1923, growing on rocky slopes flowers is R. keiskei, a native of Japan, at thirteen to fourteen thousand feet. It from whence it was introduced in 1908. is a prostrate shrub up to about one foot It is somewhat compact in growth or high, with large leaves covered with a sometimes straggly, up to two or three thick wool beneath, and large creamy­ feet high or sometimes more, with large yellow flowers with deep crimson spots. flowers produced freely in clusters of The plant is a slow grower, and many three to five. In some forms a prominent years are needed before it reaches the feature is the young foliage of a bronzy­ flowering size. It is a unique species in brown color. The plant is hardy, but to its Series, however, and should. be more grow it satisfactorily, some protection often seen in cultivation. from wind should be provided.

Thomsoni Series Uniflorum Series

A most outstanding plant is R. wil­ This Series contains some of the best liamsianum, discovered by Wilson in and most charming of all dwarf rhodo­ western Szechuan in 1908. This is a dendrons. One of these is R. impemtor, a compact shrub usually up to three or prostrate spreading shrub usually up to four feet high with rounded leaves, and six inches high, discovered by Kingdon­ is exceedingly beautiful when laden Ward in Upper Burma in 1926. It is a with large pink or rose bells in April or plant of very great merit, and in May it early in May. A most remarkable feature gives one of the most delightful of all is the young bronzy growths which, how­ color displays, with its large funnel­ ever, are often destroyed by late spring shaped, deep pinkish-purple flowers. It frosts ; otherwise it is hardy in sheltered is a slow grower, however, and somewhat positions, and is a first class plant for difficult to establish. The plant is hardy, the small home or rock garden. but requires a sheltered position. Another splendid plant, common in cultivation, is R. pemakoense, one of Kingdon - ,!\lard's discoveries in the Trichocladum Series Tsangpo Gorge, southeast Tibet. This is usually a compact shrub, up to about A very distinct member of this series eighteen inches high, and one of its chief is R. lepidostylum, one of Forrest's dis­ merits is that it flowers abundantly at a coveries in western Yunnan at eleven to remarkably early age. It is hardy and eleven thousand and five hundred feet. makes a wonderful sight with its large It is a compact shrub up to three or four pinkish-purple flowers in ~ar~h ~r feet high, and is remarkable for its ex­ April. Yet another fine speCles I~ thIS ceptional qualities as a foliage plant. Series is R. uniflorum, a small semI-pros­ With its young bluish-green leaves cov­ trate shrub with broadly funnel-shaped ered with a glauC0us sheen, it is a plant flowers, appearing in April or May. It is of great beauty and is always admired. a most desirable plant for the rock gar­ In Mayor June it makes a fine show den, although in cultivation it has not with its single or paired yellow flowers, received the wide recognition it deserves. and is worthy of being widely cultivated. Another noteworthy species in this se­ ries is R. ludlowi, discovered by Ludlow and Sherriff in southeast Tibet at thir­ Triflorum Series teen thousand and five hundred feet. It grows up to one foot high, with small A remarkably fine rhododendron is leaves, and single or paired bell-shaped R. hanceanum var. nanum. This is a yellow flowers which are large for the compact shrub, up to one foot high, and size of the leaves. The plan t is a slow is most pleasing when covered with grower and somewhat difficult in culture, 72 THE Al\IERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE but is worthy of a place in every small It is a compact shrub of two or three home garden or rock garden. feet, and provides an admirable display Among Hooker's discoveries in the with its deep rose axillary and terminal Himalaya, one of the best is R. purni­ flowers covering the upper parts of the /urn, a prostrate shrub, usually up to six shoots. The plant is a robust grower inches high. It flowers freely, and cannot and is easy to cultivate. fail to impress us with the beauty of its Among Hooker's Himalayan discov­ pink bells in Mayor June. Although the eries, a particularly lovely plant is R. plant is hardy, a sheltered position in vij·gaturn. It varies considerably in habit the garden is desirable. and height, but the spreading forms, up to two feet high, have proved to be ex­ tremely valuable for the rock garden. Virgatum Series The flowers are large, pink, single or paired, and are produced freely in axil­ A ,,,ell-known species which has long lary clusters along the shoots, in April been in cultivation is R. mcernosurn, first or May. collec ted by Delavay in northwest Yun­ It is apparent that these low-growing nan in 1884. It has been introduced by rhododendrons, having such diversity of various collectors from different areas in form and color, provide a wide range of western China. The species is very varia­ choice to the gardener. Many of these ble, and grows up to eight or nine feet are easy to grow; some are difficult and high, with leaves glaucous beneath. require careful cultivation; however, One of Forrest's plants [under No. they are all eminently suitable for the 19404J is well suited for the rock garden. small home garden or rock garden. ER IC WALTHER Echeveria elegans, one ot the finest ot species, shown in an informal manner in the rock garden of Victor R eiter, Jr., San Fmncisco.

Echeveria

ERIC vV AL THER

Popularity of ornamental plants de­ interesting and beautiful. Of the various pends on several factors such as beauty, sllcculents available through American availability, and ease of cultivation. Of dealers the Family CRASSULACEAE, and these the first is, of course, paramount. more particularly the genus EcheveTia, On it will depend the effort made to offer many worthwhile items with many meet the other two requirements. Public fa ce ts of quality, including plants useful taste and preference fluctuate, and what as house-plants, as garden ornaments for is popular today may be out-of-fashion the rock-garden, and as fascinating sub­ next year. No group of plants illustrates jects for study of plant-form, botanical this fickleness of the public better than problems, and the like. do cacti and succulents. We are willing Highly interesting is the history of the to concede that, no matter how interest­ genus EcheveTia, both from horticultural ing and, yes, perhaps beautiful, they may as well as botanical aspects. Nothing be, one needs to cultivate a liking for was known of EcheveTia in Europe be­ cacti. Succulents in the broadest sense fore 1793, when the first species, E. coc­ are in a different category, for they are cinea, then grown at the Madrid Botani­ much less demanding, and not any less cal Garden, was illustrated in Cavanilles' [73 ] THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE leones. This plant was then assigned to corolla-tube. The genus is known to the genus Cotyledon, a mistake still have nine, rather large, haploid chromo­ plaguing us today. The plant had somes. The nearest relations to Eche­ reached Madrid as one accomplishmen t veria are Paehyphytum and Gmptopeta­ of botanical surveys then being made in fum, with both of which it crosses readi­ "New Spain," under the patronage of ly, and both of which are confined to King Charles III. These explorations Mexico and Arizona. were undertaken by a commission headed The genus Echeveria, while predomi­ by Mocifio and Sesse, who made exten­ nantly Mexican, does extend to South sive collections in the New World and America, following the Andes chain all employed a Mexican artist to prepare the way to northwestern Argentina, drawings of many of the novel plants while one species, E. strictiflom, is native found. The artist was D. Atanasio to the Big Bend country of western Echeverria, after whom A. P. DeCandolIe Texas. The various species are all de­ named the genus in 1828. DeCandolle cidedl y rock-plants, never growing on had only four items to deal with, i.e., level ground, and frequently ascending the afore-mentioned E. eoccinea, Dudleya to elevations of over fourteen thousand eaespitosa and two others known to him feet. The number of known species is only from drawings by Echeverria, E. still growing with continued explora­ teretifolia and E. gibbiflom. tions. For instance, when we started A fascinating story is told about these what we hoped would be the final re­ drawings, which DeCandolle had bor­ vision of our monograph manuscript, rowed from Mocifio, whom he met at our list totaled a hundred and eight Montpellier while lecturing there. Sud­ names. Since November [1957] this list denly Mocifio asked for the immediate has now grown to a hundred and forty­ return of these pictures to take with nine items, and at least another ten, him to Spain, whither he was returning, possibly new, species are under observa­ and where he hoped his work would tion, largely the result of recent discov­ finally be published. To retain all that eries 1n Oaxaca and Chiapas by Thomas valuable knowledge. DeCandolle mobil­ MacDougall of New York City. This ized over a hundred volunteers to make coincidence of the discovery and intro­ copies. I t was well tha t this was done, duction of so many new species with the for nothing is known today of the fate availability of a reasonably adequate of Mocifio's collections after they were amount of herbarium material is a chal­ returned by DeCandolle. lenge and an opportunity, both to the Since that time our knowledge of the botanist and the horticulturist. genus has advanced immeasurably. Now There is great need for an up-to-date there is no question of its validity nor its monograph of the genus Echeveyia. to clearcut distinction from both Cotyledon facilitate determinations of the various and Dudleya. Final proof was the estab­ plants found in cultivation and in the lishment, by Charles UbI of Cornell Uni­ field. Herbariu m specimens are sur­ versity, that in Dudleya the basic num­ prisingly scarce, the total number extant ber of haploid chromosomes is seven­ in the herbaria of the world probably teen, with multiples of that number amounting to less than a thousand. Of being frequent, whereas in Eeheve1'ia course, pressing and drying such intrac­ the chromosome number appears to be table succulent ma terial is apt to be dis­ so variable that a definite basic number couraging, and even if successfully done could scarcely be designated. Only a results in specimens often scarcely re­ single species, however, is known with sembling the living originals. Any ade­ seventeen haploid chromosomes, and, quate treatment must be based primarily personally, we know of no proven hybrid on living plants from definite localities between these two genera. Cotyledon, in their native habitats, cultivated under as now circumscribed, is confined to substantially uniform conditions. Rec­ South African plants, usually with in­ ords should include ample clear photo­ florescence terminating the vecretative . b graphs, detailed drawings of adequate aXIS, leaves most often in opposite pairs, scale, and accurate color notes. The and with its petals connate into a long late J. N. Rose had contemplated a APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NU1'vIBER 2 75

monograph of the CRASSULACEAE along ter. Experience has demonstrated that the lines of his famous CACTACEAE; and Echeve1'ia responds promptly to feeding, for this purpose not only had gathered, best done during the growing period. in 1905 at the United States Botanic Of pests the most serious one found in Garden, a collection of over a thousa nd cultivation is nematode. To combat living plants, but had commiss ioned the these, all soi I, etc., should be sterilized taking of numerous photographs and the and all newly acquired plants carefully preparation of a set of very fine water inspected, the roots cut off if necessary colors by F. A. 'Valpole. These co II ec­ and the plant re-rooted and kept in tions in the United States National quarantine until proved clean. A nother H erbarium (S mithsonian Institution) serious pest a re the larvae of BTachY1'­ co nstitute the largest, most comprehen­ rhi111/.S beetles that devour the roots and sive anyw here, and must of necessity be undergrou nd stems. Modern insecticides the basis of any fu ture work. now available need to be used freely. H orticulturally. Echeveria is limited Aphids, thrips, red spider, and mealy­ in usefulness by frost, for few species and bugs are common pes ts and may easil y varieties are completely hard y, except disfigure Echeverias if not con trolled perhaps in California or Florida. The promptly, At least one species, E. 17UICU­ smaller cushion-forming types are so lata, owes its specifi c name to the reac!ily stored indoors that their preser­ blotches that appeared on its leaves su b­ vation through a cold winter is no prob­ sequent to mealybug infestation when lem. All of these are most readily propa­ you ng, Some of the weak-growing species gated from even quite small cuttings, may successfully Le grafted, as E. harll1si which grow so rapidly as to make ac­ on Sedum de17droidewn, etc. and the ceptable plants the same season . Seed­ fin est plant of this (better known as lings also grow quite rapidly but are OliveHinthus) that we ever saw was rarely to be depended upon to come true grown on this understock. to name. H ybridiza tion is easy, too easy Of several questions that will be asked, in fact, and few of the resultant plants two concern which and whence, i,e:, are of enough merit to be "vorth preserv­ what are the best kinds of Echeve'ria ing' , ExcePtions are such deliberate hy­ recommended and where may these be brids as Set-Oliver. Derosa, Imbricata, obtained. In California several whole­ etc. Culturally, Ech evel'ia is not a xero­ sa le growers are engaged in growing phyte, but appreciates ample moisture these, sending carload lots of them east during summer. Mexican winters are every spring to the various retailers­ dry and su nny, a condition often diffi cult the dime stores, and others. The plants to reproduce, but careful attention to so made available are, of course, · the good drainage will help. more common ones. For the rare novel­ From the known predilec ti on of most ties one must rely on information from Echeveria s1)ecies for rocks, steep cliffs, botanic gardens, local garden clubs, and and even tree trunks, it is ev ident that more especially the several cactus and they prefer perfect drainage. NIany spe­ succulent societies. Most of the l a t ~er cies occur in partial sh ade, others in full are affili ated wi th the Cactus and Succu­ sun, and perhaps some of the distinctive lent Society of America that publishes a features developed h ave arisen in re­ bi-monthly journal, which is now run­ sponse to su ch variations in light inten­ ning a series on Echevel'in. by the present sity. A species originally collec ted at writer. Another poten tial source could fo urteen thousand feet elevation no be the recently organized International doubt will thrive in a cool place, while Succulent Institute, Inc., J. "V, Dodson, another coming from less than fiv e thou­ Secretary, 921 Murchison Drive, Mill­ sa nd feet may need a warmer spot a nd brae, California, a warm greenhouse in winter. In Mexi­ In former times, Echeveria was often co Echeveria is often more readily found utilized in the stiff, formal designs fash­ on the north side of a hill, where there ionable during the latter half of the is more persistent moisture, some shade nineteenth ce ntury. Modern gardens, from the denser vegetation, and more faced with maintenance problems, might vegetable mould resulting from the la t- well utilize more plants which, as Eche- 76 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL lVIAGAZINE vet'ia, may tolerate a certain degree ot neglect. It should prove possible to go away for a vacation . and ret.urn home Eric Walther finding one's EcheveTia collectIOn as g'ood Mr. Walther died July 1, 1959, s.hortly. or better, than it was when one departed. after submission of the m;muscnpt of In California particularly, 'with its dry the foro-oing article. He was born Au­ summers and mild winters, Echevena gust 14~1892, in Dresd.en, Germany. He can be and has been, used very success­ came to this country 111 1909. In 1918, fully f~r creating gardens both beau tifu!, he started to work in Golden Gate Park interesting, and distinctive. . ... as a o'ardener under John lVlcLaren, su­ To realize the fullest possibilities of perin~end e nt. . H e undoubtedly SOO? the genus Echeveria, all of its species, showed an aptitude fo~ the more bo~am­ whether old or new, need to be consid­ cal aspects of gardenmg and l~ortlcul­ ered, tested, propagated, and known. ture, for in 1924 he was responslbl~ for The publication of the monograph ,,~e the Catalogue of Trees, Shrubs, ViT~es , have in hand should go a long way 111 Evergreen Ground Covers, etc., Grow1l1g bringing about that desirable end. in Golden Gate Park, included in the 54th R eport of the Board of Park Com­ Recommended list of common species missioners, San Francisco. (* good * ~, better *** best) In 1937, the bequest from Mrs. He.len Strybing for an arboretum and botamcal affinis* pallida* garden in Golden .Gate Park came to the agavoides* palmet'i* City of San FranCISCO. Mr. Wal~her was alpina* peacocki* put in charge of the constr.uctiOn and amoena* "pilosa* plantino' in the area set aSide for the carnicolor potosina** arboret~m, according to a master plan chihuahue'l1sis* pulvinata*** which was drawn up by both Mr. lVlc­ coccinea pumila* Laren and himself. He was in charge of craigiana* purpuSOHtm * * the Strybing Arboretum from its begin­ crenulata rubromargi'l1ata* ning in 1937 until he retired in 1957 . derenbergi* * ntnyoni** Mr. "Walther had a keen awareness for el e gans*'~ * secunda* the need of new plants and he always fU1gens * setosa*** tried to bring potentially good ornamen­ gibbiflora* simulans tals into Strybing Arboretum from all gilva** spectabilis** sources available to him. He claimed to glauca*'" sprucei* have introduced into Strybing Arbore­ grandi folia * subalpina* tum: Nlagnolia cam pbelli, Camellia hannsi*** subrigida* Teti culata 'Captain Rawes: Cistus pur­ leucotr ic ha '~ subsessilis* pureus, Clethm arb01'ea, Sedum morgan­ lozani* tolucensis* ianum, Bttddleia salvifolia, T emstl'oema micmcalyx* turgida* sylvatica. multicaulis violescens* nodulosa* whitei Mr. Walther developed an interest in nuda succulent plants, particularly in the Cras­ sulaceae. He worked on the genus Eche­ R ecommended list of hybrids veria and left an unpublished mono­ angustata* hoveyi graph of this genus at the time of his atrosanguinea * Imbricata*** death. He published numerous articles on this genus in the Ioum al of the Ca c­ clevelandi* kewe'nsis tus and Succulent So ciety. He provided Derosa* * h it'cherirl11 a * in his will for the publication of his Doris Taylor* m utabilis* monograph on Echeveria and this is to flamm ea* scaphylla* be published soon. glauco-metallica * Set-Oliver* * * grusoni* Victor '~* E. McC. haageana* wei'l1 garti* APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 77

Echeve1"ia elegans as gTOwn in a faTm ym"d in Omiti'an, Hidalgo, Mexico THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ERI C WALTH[R

Echeveria 'Set-Oliver' Echeveria gibbiflora, from a drawing by D. Atanasio Echeverria (ToP, lett) Echeveria 'San Miguel' (ToP, right) Echeveria pilosa (Bottom, left) Echeveria bifurclCta (Bottom, right) APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 79

ERIC WALTHER 80 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ERIC WALTHER

ECMveria 'lmbricata' APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 81

ERIC WALTHER

Eche't'eria elegans 82 THE AIVIERICAN HOR'I'lCULTU R AL MAGAZINE

ERI C WA LTH ER Echeveria violescens, as a pot plant Echeveria harmsi, gmfted on to Sedttm pmealtum (ToP, left) Echeveria nuda, epiphytic with oTC hids (Top, Tight) Echeveria strictiflora fTOm BTe wste?· County, T exas (Bottom, left) Echeveria subrigida, in Nl exico (B ottom, Tight) APR IL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 83

Ie W A LTHER 84 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ERIC WALTHER

The flowers of Echeveria potosina, which could have served as the model for a Grecian vase-so perfect is their outline APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, l'\UlVIBER 2 85

ER IC WALTHER

Echeverias decorating steps in the garden of Mrs. FD?"b es at Ross, California 86 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ERI C WALTH ER

Echeveria 'Victor'

Echeveria grandi folia

ERI C WALTH ER APRIL 1960, VOLUlvIE 39, NU1VIBER 2 87

Echeveria pulvinata

Echeveria runyoni var. 'macabeana' [88J

Echeveria glauca Echeveria purpusorum [89]

Echeveria setosa, enlarged interior view of corolla

ERIC WALTHER

Echeveria derenbergi 90 THE Al'vIERICAN HORTICUerURAL MAGAZINE

l () I \ I . J : I )() ~ 1:l1, 170.

J

ERIC W A LTHER

Echeveria coccinea The fast lnle Echeve1"ia species cultivated in Ew-ope, descTi bed in 1793. (FT01n a drawing by A. ]. Cavanilles, l cones, 1793, Tab. 170) APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 91

A California rock garden featuring all sorts of Echeveria species and hybrids

ERI C WALTHER CLAUDE HOPE

Daphne odora

[92 ] Daphnes

CLARENCE VANHoUTEN '·

Few gardeners can resist growing the here rivals Lhe variety eX/11ua in color Garland Flower or Rose Daphne (Daph­ and size of blossom. It may be recognized ne cneonlm) as the combination of by the blu ish cast to the fo liage and the beauty, fragrance, and refinemen t pro­ long, slender, pointed leaves. vides the utmost attraction to the It is difficu It to describe the variety senses. In late Mayor June the foot­ cashmiriana as it should be seen to be high mounds of foliage are smothered appreciated. This Himalayan plant, with clusters of light pink, arbutus-like although similar to the species, has dis­ blossoms which emit a clean, s·weet fra­ tinction which cannot be defined. The grance tha t must be the very breath of writer h as a great deal of affection for spring. Inasmuch as the mounds may the refinement to be found in this plant. spread to three feet or more, the Anwer­ For those who like foliage variation ing period is a memorable event. there is the form val'iega.ta with green, The qualities of D. cneorum are pres­ white-rimmed foliage, otherwise same as ent to a greater or lesser degree in other the type. members of the family. The gardeners The varieties noted above attain the who are not acquainted with the spe­ approximate physical dimensions of cies, varieties and hybrids of the genus Daphne CneOTtlm and bloom profusely. Daphne may find the following informa­ There are two interesting micro-forms tion helpful. of D. cneOTum particularly suitable for Daphne cneorum is a species with the rock garden. The variety alba has many variations in stature and color. milky white blossoms covering a plant Some of these variations deviate so seldom more than three inches high and greatly that their relationship wi th the up to a foot in diameter. This plant type is eviden t only to the eyes of the seems to appreciate any extra care it bOlanist. may receive. The very rare form Pyg­ The variety eximia would surpass the maea is perfectly prostrate and up to eIght type plant in popularity if it were gen­ inches across. The delightful rose-pink erally obtainable. This notable shrub blooms, about two weeks before the type, attracts attention as the rich, red buds appear to be springing out of the ground. open into lovely deep pink stars, usually Da.phne stTiala is a species close to twice as large as those of D. cneonlm it­ D. cneorum. Those who have grown this self. The leaves of this twiggy form are plant consider it an inferior D. cneOTum likewise the largest of the group. with a mean disposition, but, as it is a The variety veTloti, an enigma even to rare plant, perhaps no one has discov­ the taxonomists, is a plant apparently ered the secret of growing it well. The wilh good and not so good forms which writer has not been particularly success­ vary depending on the locality where (ul in advancing plants beyond the seed­ collected. Fortunately, the form grown ling stage. The daphnes listed below deviate con­ siderably from those of the Cneorum "lvIr. VanHouten is production engineer at lhe Stromberg Carlson Company in Ro c h est~r, New Y?rk. Group. Most form an upright trunk His home is in th e nearby town of FaIrport. BeSides Daphnes. he specialized in alpine plants, Hepati ca with much larger and generally thicker varielies, Viola specie J and forms of Aquilegia sco/JU ­ leaves. The individual blossoms and lonlm. flower clusters are also larger although not so numerous. [93] 94 T H E AMERICAN HORTl CULTUR AL MAGAZINE

Abou t the end of March the fa t bud Pro bably the most exasperating and, clusters of the Balkan Daphne (Daphne as may be expec ted, one of the loveliest blagayana) anxiously await a vvarm sun Daphnes is D . petraea (syn. D. Hlpestris) . to show their defiance of the elements This little shrub is not too difficult to by expanding into creamy white balls o f grow but to flow er it with any degree of delicious fragrance. As it likes to layer, freedom is a real gardening accomplish­ the appearance and well being of this ment. T he large rosy pink blossoms, ac­ sprawling Daphne will be improved by centuated in size as the plant seldom ex­ p lacing fairly heavy stones over the bare ceeds six inches in an y direc tion, ca n branches which will usually encourage completely hide the small, shiny, dark the p lant to layer without further provo­ gree n foliage. The plant must be han­ cati on . By this method the bare branches dled with extreme care as the branchlets are protected from the summer sun and are so brittle. For this reason it is bes t winter whipping, a condition the plant to winter this Daphne in the cold frame may not tolerate. as strong winds, heavy wet snow or fallen Daphne co llina soon fo llows D . bla­ branches could cause irreparable dam­ gayana with lovely lilac-rose bloom. It is age. Keep shaded if wintered in a frame a free blooming, upright shrub to two or as the bright sun on a mild day ca n dry three feet but does n ot seem to be re­ out the previously formed flo wer buds liably h ardy, although reliable in all and prolong the plant's reticence to other resp ects. bloom. T he few plants commercially Daphne co llina var. neopolitana fo l­ available are usu ally grafted on D . me­ lows the same habit but is sligh tly more ze1·eum as it would take many years for open and h as dark purplish rose blos­ an own-root plan t to a ttain similar sta t­ soms. It is a fine plant but cannot guite ure. The va riety grandifl ora h as larger, cope with the winters here in western deeper colored fl owers and for this rea­ New York. It should be noted that this son is preferable to the type. plant and D . co llina itself winter well in A mature specimen of the Olive the cold frame and both would survive Daphne (Daphne oleoides) may be any­ most years outside with some protec tion. where from six inches to two fee t tall. Daphne se1·icea is often confused with This nicely shaped shrub h as rather D. collina but may be identified by the small, fu gacious white fl owers with little rather narrow, pointed leaf whereas D . fragrance. collina has a broader, slightly rounded Daphne aurantiaw is probably the leaf. D. sericea has pale pink blossoms only good yellow fl owering member of the somewhat later in the season and grows genus. The golden yellow blossoms are very slowly. borne in a racem e, rather than a cluster, along the arching branches in summer. T he acu te leaves aid in d istinguishino· It likes leaf mold and light shade but Daphne tangtttica from D. retusa. Th~ does not like to b loom here. It is prob­ leaves of D . tangutica are shinier and ably n ot hardy. gree ner than th e dull olive green of D . Most fo rms of the Winter Daphne reiusCl. Both form sturdy tree-like bushes (Daphne odm-a) are winter blooming to three fee t. with deep rose to purple and tender. H owever, the variety fl owers often touched, and sometimes .I.une lini winters success fully in the cold domina ted, by white. The dull leaves of frame, forming buds in November which D. ?-etusa and wrinkled trunk add years open during the first warm spring days. to Its appearance. The rosy purple fl ower clusters have an In contrast, the shining, needle- like intense, sweet perfume and las t surpris­ dark green leaves of Daphne arbuswla ingly well des pite the errati c weather. form a neat eight-i n ch dome ·often a foot The p lant h as an easy going disposition across covered with large lilac rose fl ow­ and the large shining leaves are an added ers which h ave a crystalline glow. In or a ttrac tion. ou t of bloom it is ex tremely attractive T he above Daphnes are all evergree n and should be in every rock garden. A species and varieties. Daphne mezaeum second, less spectacular blooming can is the most popular of the deciduous spe­ usu ally be counted on. cies. Coming in to bloom in ea rl y spring, APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 95 the combina tion of fragrance and color Da.phne Leila H aines forms a close will dispel the gloom of any dull, cold mound only fo ur inches high but qui te day. The lea fl ess branches may have often two tee t across. In May the slen­ blossoms of pink, purple, crimson, der, pointed leaves are hidden by the whi te, or any intermediate color. T he wonderful cerise blossoms bu rs ting from fl ower clusters hug the branches quite vermilion buds. T h e compact, prostrate closely, which leaves the impression that growth helps to keep the roots cool in someone had fas tened them there. T his summer and lessens the possibility of shrub grows to a t leas t fo ur fee t but is fo liage burn in win ter, which may ac­ often spindly rather than bushy. count in part for the plan t's adm irable d isposition. Daphne C11eOrUm var. ver­ The small white blossoms of the Al­ loti is u ndou btably one of the paren ts of pine Daphne (Daphne alpina) give little this hybrid which is one of the nicest indication that this unobtrusive plan t Daphnes. makes the garden so enjoyable. Seldom exceeding twelve irregular inches, it is T he Daphnes described above are d iffi cult to beli eve the daphne can scent generally regarded as the most attractive such a large area. TIlls deciduous plan t of a lovely genus. All are deligh tfully may delay spring growth or lose its grey­ fragran t. Although other species are green foliage by mid-summer ye t man­ sometimes available which may grow ages to return to normal the fo llowing more readily, mos t are either scen tless or year. small flowered and lack the distinctions of those enumerated above. Daphne genkwa is lovely and graceful with airy, lilac colored fl owers and soft Daphnes have been considered both green foliage. Leafmold a nd shade help temperamental and capricious by some to keep it happy. U n fo r tunately the gardeners. W hile it m ust be admitted plant is not reliably hardy here. th at these plants certainly have a mind of their own, their frame of mind will Various hybrids have been discovered improve im mensely if good drai nage as the n atural distribu tion of many and a cool root run can be provided. Daphne species overlap . None seem to T he drainage problem can be corrected excel their p aren ts although Daphne X by soil or sub-so il compos ition and/ or thauma (D. petmea X D . striata) bears situation. As practically all Daphnes quite a resemblance to the illustrious like full sun, the cool root run creates a Daphne petmea and certainly blooms paradox. A healthy plan t of the Cneo­ more readily. The blossoms are pale to rum Grou p provides its mv n soil cool­ deep pink, depending o n the growing ness due to the low stature and compact, season, with a dark throat. T he plant is rather dense fo liage. If a plant becomes slightly taller and more open than D . spindly or barren in the ce nter, a mound tJetmea and has a pleasan t temperamen t. of leafmold and sand over the cen ter and bare branches in early spring will en­ Some of the garden hybrids are ex­ courage new growth. Some au thori ties tremely valuable. Daphne Somerset recommend shearing back to fi ve or six owes its popularity to the fragran t pink­ inches after blooming to stimula te ish fl owers which are borne on branches growth from the ce nter, but this can which may exceed fi ve feet in a relatively prove risky if hot, dry weather fo llows, short time. Daphne burkwoodi h as the in which case the plan t will require care­ same parents, D . cneorum and D . cauca­ ful sh ading and watering. The uprigh t sica, and is identical for gardening pur­ species like the company and shading poses. which any non-rampant, dwarf perennial Daphne mantensiana combines the will provide for th eir root sys tem. Most vigor of Somerset with the deep ros.e violas (not violets) , Phlox subulata, and blossoms of D. retusa. In appearance It the lower growing hea t~ s and heath ers is exactly as one would expect such a hy­ do an excellen t job. Placm g the Daphne brid to be. The mixed paren tage con­ on the shady side of a larger plan t will fuses the plant so tha t it cannot decide also cool the soil sufficiently. Care whether to remaifl eve·rgreen or become should be taken, h O'wever, that th e· d eciduous. In any case, n ew growth will branch es do not overh ang as the dri pis. start in early spring. It is a splendid, disliked in summer and detested in win­ shapely shrub to three feet. ter. 96 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

G. HAMPFLER

Daphne genkwa APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 97

Daphnes cannot be considered fussy All Daphnes may be propagated from regarding the soil in which they are cuttings although this may often be a grown. In common with most plants, slow and erratic operation. Three to they prefer a sandy loam, a commodity four years are required, for a cutting to found more often in catalogs than in mature. Firm wood of the current sea­ gardens, although the average garden son's growth gives the best results in soil will satisfy if adequate drainage has most cases. The Cneorum Group cut­ been provided. An annual spring top tings should be ready by mid-July, the dressing is not a necessity but the Daph­ others, one to three weeks later. ne will show its apprecia tion of this Grafting is often employed to increase little thoughtfulness. the slow growing kinds mainly because There are five methods used for propa­ a saleable plant can be obtained in a gating Daphnes. The simplest and shorter period of time than by the other easiest way to add a few plants of the methods. As most gardeners do not pos­ Cneorum Group is to top dress the cen­ sess the proper facilities for grafting, it ter and watch for new growth with its would seem advisable to leave this proc­ own root system, which if carefully re­ ess with the commercial growers. Daphne moved from the parent plant and grown mezeTeu,m, D. laureola, and D. acutiloba on, will make a fair sized plant in three are usually employed as the understock years. Layering is a similar process which as seed is available and the seedlings may produce many more plants. In July grow quite rapidly. shoots of the current season are placed in It is much easier to grow the seedlings a mixture of sand, peat and leafmold than obtain the seeds of most kinds. The for a minimum depth of one inch with Cneorum Group seldom sets seed and part of the shoot protruding above the the upright species cannot be considered soil. Before securing in position with a generous in their natural means of in­ forked peg or stone, the portion of the crease. Gardening societies and seed stem below soil level should be given a catalogs can often supply seed of Daphne full twist or slight cut to encourage root­ mezereum, D. retusa, D. tangutica, D . ing. The twist is preferable but requires oleoides, and D. alpina. secure anchoring as the shoot should be Seedlings and cuttings require at least upright to produce a shapely plant. A cold frame protection the first winter, stone or large hairpin will suffice for the and further, shifting to larger pots or cut stem type layer. The layer should permanent position must be done in root the next year and the fonowing spring or fall only. Established plants in spring may be separated from the parent the garden should be moved only as a and moved elsewhere. Even if extra last resort. plants are not required, the layering When happy, many of the daphnes process benefits the plan t as the root sys­ bloom sporadically in late summer and tem has been increased and can tap a autumn-not profusely, but just enough new source for food. to cherish the thought of a lovely plant. 2 :3 4

5

RICARDO C. AGUILAR

lUussaenda 'Luz' 1. InflO1'escence showing five enlarged bract like ca lyces; deep rose colm'ed; flowen bright yellow with red hain at the center (Xl). 2. Enlarged flower (X4). 3. Cross­ sec tion thj'ough corolla (X4). Longitudinal section of OVal'y and pistil (X4). 5. Leaf (Xl ) .

[98] Cultivated Philippine Mussaendas

lVloNA LISA STEINER

Two outstanding Mussaendas have Key to the Cultivated Mussaendas been cultivated in the Philippines in in the Philippines recent years, which by far surpass all other known Mussaendas - Mttssaenda 1. All ca lyx lobes extended into leary philippica var. Aurorae, and a hybrid sepals Mussaenda 'Luz.' It is not surprising 2. All sepals white; fl owers bright, that the Philippine Islands should pro­ orange, abou t 1. 5 cm. in diameter; duce fine Mussaendas, the country har­ throat not hairy bors eighteen species, all of them en­ 1. M. philippica var. Aurorae demic with the exception of M. mocw­ 2. All sepals deep rose-red; flo wers phylla. about 2.5 cm. in diameter, yellow; The ge nus Mussaenda, R UBIACEAE, entrance to throat very hairy with about sixty species, distributed over 2. NI. 'Luz' Africa, Malaysia, and Polynesia, is fairly 1. Only one ca lyx lobe extended into well known to horticulturists through leafy sepal two species, M. e1'ythmphylla and M. luteo/a, now recognized as M. flava. 2. Leafy sepal red or pink Sometimes the widely distributed M. 3. Sepal crimson; inflorescence fmndosa, found in :Malaysia and Poly­ and yo ung branches covered nesia, is cultivated as an ornamental of with red bristle-like hairs; inferior quality. All Mussaendas are flo wers 2.5-3 cm . across, very characterized by a calyx which expands hairy, yellow with red ce nter one lobe into an enlarged petaloid ap­ 3. M. eTylhmphylla pendage, usually brightly colored, white, 3. Sepal pink; inflorescence velu­ red, or yellow. The two Philippine tinous; fl owers 1.5-2. 5 cm. in M ussaendas develop further, however, diameter, pubescent and extend all five calyx lobes into large, 4. M. 'Alicia' showy sepals. Another factor which makes these Mussaendas very valuable 2. Leafy sepal white or yellow is the unusually long blooming period. 3. Sepal white, hanging; tall These shrubs continue to flower almost shrub; flowers 1.5 cm. in diam­ throughout the year; only between J anu­ eter, corolla lobes acute, ridged ary and March are they generally less in the middle floriferous than during the rest of the 5. M. 1)h ilippica year. 3. Sepal lemon yellow, stands ou t All Mussaendas are shrubs with oppo­ horizontally; low, compact site leaves. Flowers range from white, shrub; flowers about 2 cm. in yellow to crimson and develop in ter­ diameter; lobes rounded wi th minal cymes. The calyx tube IS oblong triangular design in each lobe and turbinate and the outer segment 6. M. flava (M . luteola) petaloid. Filamen~s are very short, five, 1. Mussaenda philippica var. Aurorae. attached to the tube, and anthers are linear. The ovar) is two-celled with (Type specimen burnt in 1945, neotype deposited in the H erbarium of the Na­ thread-like style and two linear stigmas. Fruits are berries or five-parted capsules, tional Museum, H en-an, Manila, Steiner No. 1743, Apr. 13, 1959.) Dona Aurora, the berries are elli p~oid , often coarsely lenticelled; seed are minute and pitted. as the shrub is locally called, is probably the finest contribution of the Philippines --;Th;-;;-~hor is a trained b0tan ist (Ph. D .• .university to horticulture. The large, multiple of Vienna) who has resided in Pasay CIty. Rlzal. Republic of the Philippines, for the past twenty years. sepals and bright orange, star-like fl ow­ Active in horticulture as well, she IS one of the fo,!nders of the Philippine Garden Club and the PhIlIPPIne ers overshadow the soft, velvety leaves. Orchid Society. Among her publications are P/1111ppme The greater part of every branch is cov- Orchids and Philippine Ornamental Plants. [99] 100 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE ered with the gleaming white, hanging plant was dug' out and planted in the "leaves," which are beautiful day and Forestry Nursery of Los Banos. On Sep­ night. White flowering plants are ~ot tember 10, 1938, during the Inaugura­ only showy in themselves, but also bnng tion of the Quezon Institute, this plant out the other colors of neighboring was officially named "Dona Aurora" plants more strongly. Since white is a after the wife of the first President of the color which stands out most strongly at Phillippines, Dona Aurora Quezon. It night, white flowering plants are grea~ly was then described by Mamerto Sulit in in demand for gardens wh~re en.te~tam­ the Philippine Joumal of Forestry [Vol. ing is done out of doors. Smce lIvm.g IS 2, No. l. 1939, pg. 35-41] where also the moving nowadays more and more mto history as given above was stated. It was the garden, any tropical plant which immediately a much demanded shrub, provides white color throughout the year but since the plants are sterile, propaga­ is therefore in great demand. No wonder tion was slow. All plants that are now that Dona Aurora has become one of the cultivated are derived asexually from most popular ornamental shrubs in the this wild variety, therefore a clone Phili ppines. . since sexual reproduction is impossible. Dona Aurora is a woody shrub wIth It ~ppears that Dona Aurora is a poly­ opposite, elliptic ovat~, deep green leav~s, plOId form of the common species, M. paler on the lower SIde, pubescent, tlp philippica. abruptly acute, base attenuate, blade 8 Dona Aurora generally can not be to 15 cm. long, 5 to 8 cm. wide, petiole propagated from ordinary cuttmgs and I to 2 cm. long. Stipule I on each side most plants have been propagated by of the stem, lanceolate about 6 mm. long. marcotting or airlayering. The bark is Inflorescence in terminal cymes, whole scraped off to the cambium layer, where inflorescence pubescent, all calyx lobes the woody portion begins, and this extended into white, ovate sepals, usually wounded portion is covered with moss 3 larger than the other two. Sepals per­ or soil. For a cover coconut husk or sac sist over a period of more than two cloth is used to retain the marcotting weeks. They are about 5 to 8 cm. long humid. Teodoro Delizo experimented and 4 to 6 cm. wide, and the white petiole with numerous plants and found that is I to 2.5 cm. long. Corolla orange, inarching consistently gave better results about l.5 cm. in diameter, corolla tube than marcotting. Inarching requires 2 to 3 cm. long, 2 mm. wide in the lower only forty-five days, marcotting fifty-five part, 3.5 mm. in the upper part, pale to a hundred days. He also states that green. Corolla lobes pubescent on the roots usually dry' out while the marcot lower side, glabrous, ovate, acuminate, is still attached to the parent tree. The greenish at tip. Anthers 8 mm. long, wounded area, besides, is an easy source linear, attached 8 mm. below the throat of infection and when transplanted roots of the flower. Stvle 7 mm. long bi-fid. are easily attacked by fungi and insects. This natural variety does not produce Budding has also been tried, but is least seeds here, except one mutant form. effective. Mr. Delizo showed that in­ This ornamental shrub is a compara­ arching g'ave a hundred per cen t results, tive new-comer, which has been culti­ marcotting, forty-seven; and budding, vated only since 1930. It was first col­ twenty-nine. [T. Delizo, Phil. Joum. of lected in July 1915, at the foot of Mt. Forestry, Vol. 3, pg. 471, 1940.] Balonbulo (Tungungin), on a solitary In spite of these experiments the most hill near the College of Agriculture, Los commonly used method of propagation Banos, by forester Calix to Mabesa. He is still marcotting. since inarching and sent the plant to E. D. Merrill, then di­ layering are little known practices in the rector of the Bureau of Science, who Philippines. identified it as M. philippica based on a Lately with the discovery of root small portion of a twig, without seeing hormones and other methods of propaga­ the actual living plant. This plant, how­ tion Dona Aurora can be multiplied suc­ ever, was never cultivated. Later in 1930 cessfully by young, soft green cuttings. Hugh Curran found the same variety in The College of Agriculture, Los Banos, Slitio Buot, Makiling National Park, has acquired some "misthouses," where Laguna, at an altitude of about a hun­ a fine mist is dispersed over these cut­ dred meters close to the site where the tings in regular intervals of three or five variety was found for the first time. The minutes, according tG the setting of the APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 101

j\lfussaenda philippica V Cl1", 'AuTOra e: 01" Dalia AUT01"O, aIL b?'anch ends coveTed with gleaming white sepals,

Special f01"m of DoFia AUT01"O with naTrow curled"in sepals, 102 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

automatic faucets. The writer has not fore not recommended for public parks succeedcd in starting Dona Aurora from and grounds if proper attention can not tender cuttings under normal condition. be given to the plants. It is a glamorous At present plants of Doi'ia Aurora are plant, but delicate and requires a great available almost everywhere in the Phil­ deal of care in order to be at its best. ippines and are comparatively inexpen­ The lower portion of the plant, about sive. one or two feet above the ground, is Since the plants are almost continually often bare. It is, therefore, best to grow blooming, special care must be given to Doi'ia Aurora behind border plants or keep them vigorous and floriferous. The low perennials. plants require loose and rich soil, mixed Unfortunately, cut flowering sprays with compost and manure. They should are not lasting for any considerable time, be fertilized about twice a month and the white sepals droop soon and Dona chemical plant food should be alternated Aurora can not be used successfully for with organic fertilizers. Good drainage flower arrangements. Only in low or is very essential for healthy development floating composition are the white, leafy -Dona Aurora is one of the first plants branches attractive for any considerablt which succumbs to standing water during time. the rainy season. Full sunshine is also 2. Mussaenda Luz, new hybrid (jill. necessary for its development, half shade ej·y th?"Ophylla X M. philippica var. induces spindly growth and less flower Aurorae). Type specimen deposited in production. the Herbarium of the National Museum, After one or two years the shrubs have Herran, Manila; lectotypes sent to Kew, a tendency to become lanky and tall and Leiden, and Harvard. The hybrid was have to be cut down. The best time to produced by Discoro Umali, director of prune this plant is in December, when the breeding station of the College of the blooms are at their lowest capacity. Agriculture, University of the Philip­ They should be cut two or three feet pines, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. from the ground to insure bushy growth. In the Philippines, we place some flower­ HybTid inter parentes in tennedia ing Bougainvillea pots nex t to the quinque sepalis ?"Oseis supm et albis pruned Doiia Aurora to avoid a bare subleT. 5-9 cm. longis et 4-5.5 cm. latis, look. Around March the fleshy leaves floTibus atlTeis, petalis, 2.5 cm. latis in unfurl and soon afterwards numerous cent?"O villoso. Folia et caules pilosa, white sepals and orange flowers appear. calyces et petala cum rubl·is capillis, A second pruning is not recommended. ibidem TOmi junioTes. Aphids and mealy bugs seem to love This shrub is a new star rising in our the tender and juicy leaves of DOlh ornamental plant world, which promises Aurora. They multiply rapidly and to become just as celebrated and popular must be sprayed as soon as they start to as Dona Aurora. Plants are still rare develop. Aphids and mealy bugs are and expensive, but with modern methods usually noticed through the numerous of plant propagation Dona Luz, too, ants which immediately appear as soon should soon be available to the average as the aphids and mealy bugs develop. gardener. It is a cross between the Aphids are milked like cows by the ants. multiple, white Dona Aurora and the Also various green ca terpillars roll up red, hairy /\1. erythTOI)hylla, combining the young leaves and devour large por­ all the good characteristics. Plan ts are tions of them in a short time. ·We find more hairy than Dona Aurora, the five that malathion, resitox, or endrine are sepals are deep-pink and the flowers most effective insecticides against the larger. pests of Dona Aurora. Spraying has to Nlussaenda Luz shows a number of be done once a week if infestation of the variations, as it is to be expected in a plant occurs. series of crosses. At present only one Dona Aurora is an ideal tropical shrub variety is being sold commercially in for well tended gardens. It can not be Manila, but in the experimental garden left alone, however, for any considerable of the breeding station in Los Banos time without watering; the fleshy, tender several variations are being cultiva ted. leaves can not withstand long periods of The following characteristics are found dryness. Spraying has to be done at on the now commercially distributed regular intervals. Dona Aurora is there- cultivar, ·which is being propagated suc- APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 10 3 cessfully in :Manila and sold under the red as in lVI. erythTOphylla, but the in· name Dona Luz. [According to the florescence is more spreading, and more Intemational Code of Nomenclature fO 'r colored sepals are produced. At presel1l Cultivated Plants, Article 21, the word a series of plants are almost ready Lo "Dona" has to be dropped, because it bloom. Dr. Umali expec ts them to have contains a form of address and shows a all ca lyces enlarged as in Dona Aurora, series of names beginning with the same but deep crimso n red colored. T his initial word and therefore is inadmiss i­ would be the most valuable strain, and it ble. In common usage, however, Mus­ is hoped that at leas t one plant will turn saendas are named after First Ladies, out with five dark red sepals on one and these common names are applied all flower. over the Philippines.] For many years horticul turists were The strain sold as Mussaenda Luz, or dreaming of a red Doi'ia Aurora, and Dona Luz is a shrub 1.5 to 2.5 m. high Dr. U mali tried to succeed in crossing with opposite leaves, 6 to 14 cm. long and Dona Aurora with M. eT'y !hro1Jhylln. 4 to 9.5 cm. wide. Petiole is 0.7 to 2 cm. First the wi ld species M. philippica was long, blades are elliptic-ova te, acu te, base crossed with M. ery tll1·ophylla, whi ch reo attenuate, veins indented, pubescent, suIted in the first cross of Dona Alicia. paler on the lower surface, hairs along L ater he crossed Dona Aurora wi Lh the veins, reddish. Bract at the base of Dona Trining or M. eTy thTOphylla, but younger leaves about 1.2 cm. long, with what is cultiva ted now und ~ r the name bi-fid apices split 6 mm., lanceolate, of Dona Luz is the result of various back ciliate along the edges, h airs reddish. crosses. No names have been given to Inflorescence more spreading than Dona the various strains and they are n ot Aurora, and flowers often open before being cultivated so far, except in the the sepals are completely expanded, ea r­ experimental nursery of Los Banos. lier than in the related variety Dona Some would be very worthwhile to culti· Aurora. Inflorescences in terminal cymes, va te. Dona Luz is named after Mrs. Lm all five sepals into leaf-like blades, deep l\fagsaysay, wife of the late President rose above, whitish undernea th with Ramon IVl agsaysay. pinkish veins, pubescent, cilia te at the Dona Luz is in habit and growth simi· margin. Corolla about 2.5 cm. in cliam­ lar to Dona Aurora. Plants appear to eter, more deep yellow, not orange as grow slightly fas ter than those of Dona in Dona Aurora. Corolla tube is 2 to 2.5 Aurora and the fo liage is closer set. cm. long, 2.5 mm. wide a t base, about From a compari so n of about four dozen 3.5 mm. in the upper part. Coroll a lobes p lants of the California Nursery on mostly ridged in the middle, acuminate Buendia, Manila, plants of Dona Luz at tips, lower side of corolla lobes are more compact and leaves appear to covered with long yello'wish h airs, cover· be a t closer distance. Marcottings o[ ing the entrance to the fl ower. Doi'ia Luz about three feet high are less Other strains h ave rounded bases of floriferous than those of Doil a Aurora leaves and rounded corolla lobes, also of the same age. All Dona Luz in Manila the size of the flowers is variable, and are marcotted, while cuttings are used its hai riness. in Los Banos for propagation but only in the m isthouses. Besides the Dona Luz numerOll S in· Culture is very similar to that of Dona teresting seedlings are cultivated in Los Aurora, but it appears that Dona Lu I. Banos from the same cross. Some are blooms also well in half shade, more so whitish, but the se pals are narrow and than Dona Aurora. Diseases are almos t strongly curled, others have large round· identica l with those of the Dona Aurora, ed sepals, cu rled·in at the tip, n ot alo ng but the plan ts seem to be slightly less the side. In som e seedlings only one susceptible to them than than Dona se pal is strongly enlarged, and it is dee p Aurora.

Mussaenda 'Alicia,' a h"¥bj-id with one single enlarged ca l),x lobe, pink Mussaenda philippica the wild species Mussaenda e-rythrophylla with crimson coloTed single sepal Mussaenda {lava wi th yell'ow sepals Mussaenda 'Luz,' a hybrid with deep rose colored sepals

[105 ] ]06 T H E AMERICAN H OR T 1CUL TUR AL MAGAZI NE

3. Mussaenda erythmphylla H ybl·ida cum u no sepalo TO seo, omnes T he mother plant of all Philip pine alteme partes similes lvlussaenda 'L uz.' hybrids is a shrub from tropical West Dona Alicia was the first hybrid pro­ Africa, which was introduced h ere from duced in the Philippines by Dr. Umali. Singapore around 1915. It h as never be­ He crossed the fertile wild M. philippica come a very popular shrub in the Philip­ with the h airy M . e1-ythrophylla, which pines and appears seldom robust and has one enlarged, dark-red sepal. The vigorous. T his shrub is a real showpiece, result was a more h airy plant than however, in the more humid atmosphere kahoy-dalaga, or M. phil£ppica, with one of the Los Banos nursery, one hour's pink and enlarged se pal, also the flowers drive from }\Il anila. The shrub has a are larger and more hairy. The plant has te ndency to be lanky and somewh at loose-branched, only few ft.owers are usu­ a more lanky appearance than the other ally formed on the end of the branches. crosses, and is generally inferior to Dona Seldom more than three leafy appen­ Luz. dages are developed on one branch end. Shrubs 8 to 10 fee t high, leaves ovate, T he fl owers are larger than those of the acute, base rounded, about II cm. long other Ivl ussaendas and the ce nter is and 7 cm. wide, calyx lobes about 9 mm. brigh t crimson. The inden ted veins of long, hairy, p articularly along the edges; the more rounded and so mewhat re­ reddish hairs along young stems and in­ co il ed sepals give it often a quilted ap­ fl orescence. Enlarged sepal abou t 5 to pearance. T he wh ole plant is more h airy, 6.5 cm. long, 4 to 5 cm. across, pubescent. particularly the young branches and the Corolla lobes about 1.5 to 2.5 cm . across . whole in fl orescence. Stems and leafveins are covered with red h airs, sim ilarly T his is again a variable group, some calyx and corolla lobes, particularly th e strains h ave a pointed co rolla, others en trance of the corolla is covered with rounded corolla lobes, also the size long red hairs. varies. All the hybrids h ave in common Leaves are ovate with sligh tly cordate the single pink enlarged sepal and the base, acu te apex; they are 8 to 14 cm. lanky growth. long and 6 to 8 cm. wide. T he brigh t-red expanded calyx lobe is deep red above and paler underneath, 6 to 8 cm. long and 6 to 7 cm. wide, ovate or rounded, base slightly cordate. Calyx 12 to 18 mm. T his first h ybrid was named after Mrs. long, coroll a tube 2.5 cm. long, lobes 2.5 Alicia Quirino, wife of the second Presi­ to 3 cm. in diameter, each lobe ridged in dent of the Philippines, who was killed the m iddle. during the war by the J apan ese. The Dona T rining, as this plan t is locally hybrid gained popularity in the first few call ed after Mrs. T rining R oxas, wife of years, wh ere it was acclaimed at some fo rmer Presiden t "Manual R oxas, has fl ower shows. Yet its sprawling habit and similar cul tural requirements as Dona open branching, comparatively few flo w­ Aurora, bu t the plants seem to be able ers and colored sepals never let it be­ to flovver and grow well even in half come a very popular ornamental plan t. shade. It can n ot be compared with the far superior Dona Aurora. Only here and there a few plants are surviving. Its treatment and propagation is 4. Mussaenda. Ali cia n ew hybrid (M. very sim ilar to th a t of the Dona Aurora philippica X M. e1-ythrophylla). Type and Dona Luz. It requires only more specimen deposited in the H erbarium of frequent pruning. After the fi rst prun­ lhe National Museum, H erran, Manila, ing it is wise to repea t cutting after the April 14, 1959, Steiner 17 39, lec totyp es new branch es are abou t ten inches long se nt to Kew, H arvard, and Leiden. to insure very bush y growth. Regular T he hybrid also was produced by watering, fe rtilizing, and cultiva ting are Dioscoro Umali, direc tor of the breedino· very essential. It is propagated by mar­ slation, College of Agricul ture, L o~ cotting and inarching. Seeds are rarely Ballos, 1952. formed. APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 107

5. Mussael1da philippica is a wild spe­ It is a smaller and more compact shrub cies commonly encountered from north­ about 1.5 m. tall. Horticulturists like ern Luzon to Mindanao and Palawan in this plant; it is neat and floriferous, like thickets and secondary forests at low and all the other Mussaendas blooming medium altitudes. It is surprising tha t more than nine months in profusion, the very diverse M. fTOndosa with its sev­ mainly from March to December. The eral varieties, such as var. gia bm and val'. enlarged sepals are lemon yellow and the rufineTVa distributed from Malaysia to flowers bright orange. Unlike the other Polynesia, should not be present in the M ussaendas it is not delicate, less at­ tacked by diseases than the others, and Philippines. The writer has compared therefore does not require constant care. several herbarium species of M. fT011doso. outside the Philippines with our M. Leaves are thin, elliptic, 5 to 12 cm. philippico., but could not find any dif­ long, 4 to 5 cm. wide, lanceolate, with ferences, besides th.e normal variation of attenuate base and acuminate tip, glab­ a widely distributed species. Even E. D. rous with the exception of the shortly Merrill was doubtful if the species is pubescent seven veins. Branches slender, really endemic and stated that it may young portions shortly pubescent. Flow­ only be a form of M. fTOndoso. , and con­ ers cymosely clustered, calyx hairy, nor­ mal salyx lobes 3 to 5 mm. long, the specific with it. Unfortunately, the origi­ elongated sepal 3 to 5 cm. long, 2.5 to 3.5 nal description of M. philippico. is not cm. wide, elliptic, acute tip, lower side available here at present and the writer shortly pubescent, also along the veins, is therefore not in a position to revise petiole about I cm. long. Corallo slen­ the iden tification for the time being. derly tubular, 3 cm. long, I to 2 mm. M. philippico. is a spreading tall shrub wide, corolla lobes yellow with orange or small tree with slender branches and center, 1.8 to 2.2 cm. in diameter, lobes membranaceous leaves, green above and rounded, each lobe with a triangular de­ paler underneath, minu tely pubescent. sign. Fruits apparently not produced The leaves are oblong-ovate, base round­ here, said to be 5-valved capsules. It is ed or obtuse, petiole about 1 to 2 cm. native to tropical Africa. long and 5 to 8 cm. wide. Bracts are 4 The other seventeen species of Mus­ mm. long, simple, lanceolate. Flowers in saenda in the Philippines are somewhat terminal pubescent cymes. Calyx is 7 similar to M. philippica, some have a mm. long with four of the teeth as long larger single sepal, such as M. philip­ as the tube and one enlarged into a pil1ensis; M. multibracteo.to. has a very white, leaf-like ovate appendage, with spreading inflorescence, which is densely acute tip, 4 to 8 cm. long, 2.5 to 3.5 cm. hirsute, calyx is 2 cm. long, and the fo­ wide, petiole about 1.5 cm. long. The liaceous calyx lobe is broadly ovate, corolla is yellow, pubescent, corolla tube broader than the oLher species. M. ani­ about 2 cm. long and the spreading co­ sophylla is growing in middle and high rolla lobes about 1.5 cm. in diameter, altitudes, characterized by the unequal acuminate, yellow. Fruits are ovate, size of the opposite leaves; the whole about 1.5 cm. long with grayish lenticels. plant is hairy. For hybridization pur­ poses some hig-hland Mussaenda mig-ht Kahoy-dalago., as this shrub is locally help in the hybridization to achieve called, is hardly worth cultivating and plants for the subtropical zone or higher can not compare 'with any of the other alti tude. cultivated species or hybrids. Of all the Mussaendas, Dofia Aurora 6. Mussaenda [lava (Synonym Mus­ and Dofia Luz are the most magnificent saenda luteola (nomen illegal) accord­ new additions to tropical gardens and ing to Beknopte Flom van .Java, R. C. vvill soon become part of our pantropical Bakhuizen v. d. Brink, Jr. 1956.) ornamental plant world. Blackspot and Powdery Mildew of Roses

JOHN G. PALMER and T. J. HENNEBERRY*

Among the fungus diseases that afflict ing stems probably takes place in the roses, blackspot and powdery mildew are axils of buds or leaves along the lower the most serious and widespread. Black­ edge of droplets of water or where the spot defaces foliage and causes early and mucilaginous spores have stuck. Petals commonly severe defoliation. Flower and sepals may also be invaded. production is reduced and an increasing The spor~s of the powdery mildew loss of plant vigor occurs if defoliation fungus germmate best when the relative remains unchecked. Mildew deforms and humidity ranges between 95 and 99 per­ discolors developing shoots, leaves, and cent. There is no germination below buds and discolors the mature structures. 75 per cent relative humidity, and germi­ Mildewed leaves of some varieties fall nation is poor between 75 and 95 per early. cent, at 100 per cent, and in standing The fungus Diplocarpon rosae ·Wolf water. The range of temperatures which causes blackspot and another fungus, are optimum for both germination of Sphaerotheca pannosa (Wallr.) Lev., the spores and subsequent infection is causes rose mildew. These two species 65° through 75 degrees. The light, short­ of fungi require very different environ­ lived, wind-disseminated spores infect mental conditions for the germination through all surfaces of aerial portions of their spores, infection, and the produc­ of the plant. In almost every instance a hmo"icide tion of disease symptoms. These differ­ •• tJ ences are important in determining when prevents a potentIal mfection rather sprays or dusts should be applied to con­ than cures an established one, and for trol them. A brief review of the condi­ absolute protection complete coveraO"e tions favorable for the development of of all aerial shoots at all times would blackspot and mildew may lead to a be necessary. This can not be achieved. better understanding of the fundamental Good control of powdery mildew is requirements for control of these diseases. mechanically more difficult than good Studies are constantly being made of control of blackspot. Since spores of these fungi and their controls. the powdery mildew fungus germinate The two-celled spores of the blackspot at high relative humidities only, there fungus are spread over short distances in are no droplets of water to collect a dn;>ps of water, by wind, and on passing spottily distribu ted protectant for redis­ ammals. The spores must be wetted be­ tribution to spores alighting between fore they will germinate. 'Vater droplets spots of the fungicide. Young, infection­ prone, unprotected canes, leaves, and accrue on .rose plan~s during rainfall, by condensatIOn, and m watering. Spores buds develop on most roses throughout tou~hed by water may germinate if evapo­ the frost-free season. Therefore, not ratIOn of the water is not too rapid or ?nly must a successful spray program the temperature too high or too low. mclude the dusts or sprays for control of They germinate best at 79 degrees each major pest and fungus pathogen, Fahrenheit, and not at all as low as 55, but sprays or dusts must be regularly or ab~ve 91. ~ecause the spores are heavy and consistently applied throughout the and smk rapIdly in water, infection oc­ growing season. During conditions fav­ cu.rs mainly through the upper epider­ orable for blackspot one application per mIS of leaflets, rachis, petiole, or stipule week should suffice unless frequent rain­ of the expanding leaf. Infection of grow- falls or waterings remove the protectant. Sprays or dusts to prevent powdery mil­

~ P a tholo g i s t , Crops R esearch Division, a nd Entomol· dew must be applied more often and Oglst, Entomology Res ~arc h D}vision, respectively, Agri­ with more attention to coverage of un­ cultural Research ServIce. UnIted States Department of AgrIculture, Beltsville, Maryland. dersides during periods most favorable [108] APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 109

for infections. Applications may not be mately three days after spraying with needed at all during prolonged periods actidione Pl"!, and in some varieties a that are unfavorable for development of strong wind ""ill defoliate sprayed plants powdery mildew (temperature of 90 de­ as severely as unsprayed ones. vVhen grees or higher and/ or a relative humidi­ plants of a blackspot-resistant, powdery ty at or below 75 per cent) . mildew-susceptible species were regular­ To reduce the number and expense of ly sprayed with either phaltan or acti­ sprays, the ingredients that ·will control dione PM, total growth and color of the most of the pests and diseases may be plants was best with actidione PM after mixed, and a mUlti-purpose spray or six months of treatment. An evident in­ dust applied. The components must be crease in number of breaks from buds checked in advance, however to be sure occurred when the spray contained acti­ that none of them react wi th or degen­ dione P 'I. There was no apparent re­ erate in the presence of any other active tardation of growth [rom this larger ingredient or its diluent (wettable pow­ number of breaks which would account der or dust). IE possible the individual for the increased total growth after six material or the compounded materials months. Plants sprayed with phaltan should be checked for effectiveness and without a spreader or sticker were very for injury to the roses under local con­ dark green and smaller but had lost ditions. A mixture of one selec tion from fewer leaves. Control of powdery mil­ each of items A, B, and C, in Table 1, dew was excellent with both actidione will control the sucking and chewing PM and phaltan. A mixture of these insect and mite pests of roses. Each of fungicides sprayed on plants discolored these pesticides is compatible with each leaves, increased breaks from buds, and of the fungicides in item D. stunted growth . Our experimental data indicate that Control of a splas h-dissem inated or­ phaltan and maneb control blackspot ganism like blackspot should be im­ best and that in addition phaltan is the proved by removal and burning of fallen most effective preventive for powdery leaves and can es during the growing mildew. Of the reports from many season and after first frost, by pruning areas in the United States where formu­ just before growth in the spring to re­ lations containing phaltan have been move dead and infected ca nes which used by amateur and commercial grow­ ers, only one has a ttributed injury to should be burned, and by application of roses by phaltan. Current formulations a fungicide to the canes at that time. of phaltan leave a white residue which ' These steps should decrease the initial is less conspicuous when a spreader such amount of the pathogen in spring and as Triton X-IOO is used. In addition to retard the buildup during summer of those fungicides listed, zineb, ferbam, or spore-bearing sources. captan at two pounds per hundred gal­ In a recent study H. R. Rosen at the lons will also control blackspot. It is University of Arkansas reported that two not advisable to add phaltan to a mix­ heavy applications of captan in a season ture containing another fungicide for to the soil surface controlled blackspot control of powdery mildew, since phaltan through systemic action. A substantial will react with ferbam and carriers of part of this control probably occurred other fungicides may reduce its efficiency. If powdery mildew develops, a separate, through the inclusion of fungicide as thorough spraying of all affected organs well as spores in splash drops from the of the plant with actidione PM accord­ soil. Experiments at Beltsville during ing to the instructions on the package 1957 and 1958, in which captan and will eradicate evidences of the fungus in phaltan were applied to the surface of thirty-six to forty-eight hours. In many the soil and then were covered with a varieties and species the red color in heavy mulch, did not reduce the inci­ young tissues will be accentuated, and dence of blackspot though the plants re­ the young canes and leaves will harden tained more foliage during and were when this chemical is used. If the in­ larger at the end of the season. Dosages fection is severe, foliar reddening and from one to five pounds per twenty-five yellowing will begin to develop approxi- square feet applied to the surface of the IIO THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Table I R ecommen d a t'/· 017S f or a composite spray for rose. insects andI" diseases} 1960.t Choose •on e c Iu ml.c a l f10m' eac Il lette1'e d gmup and mzx the 4 se ectwns .m wa er. Active Formulation Dosage ingredient available 1 Per 100 gallons Per gallon Pounds Pints Teaspoons A Lindane 25 WP 1 3 25 WP 1 B DDT 50 WP 2 5 25 EC 2 2 C Aramite IS WP 2 4 Malathion 25 WP 2 6 57 EC 2 2 Kelthane 25 WP 3 18.5 EC 1 D Phaltan 75 WP lY2 4Y2 Maneb 70 "WP 2 4Y2

1 'WP = wettable powder, EC = emulsifiable concentrate. soil and lightly raked in did not notice­ The duration of a program will depend ably affect subsequent ~rowth of. t~e upon how much risk the grower wishes to limited number of hybnd tea vane tIes take in judging when the diseases will tested. Anthracnose of roses is not con­ appear. In general a different chemi.cal is trolled by soil applications of captan, required for the con trol of each dIsease according to Rosen. Powdery mIldew and pest. The number of pests and is not con trolled systemically by soil diseases that are serious in each locali ty applications of captan. will determine how many ingredients Reports of applications of materials will be needed. Such protectant fungi­ that sterilize soil or reduce the number cides and pesticides in the form of dusts of organisms in the soil are increasing, or sprays may be applied separately, or and frequently the only criterion for several may be combined for a multi­ judging the soil free of such materials is purpose application. In the latter case an absence of injury to selective plants each chemical and its diluent must have which are grown in the treated soil. been previously determined to ' ~e co~­ Captan and phaltan or deterioration patible with each of the other mgredI­ fractions of these chemicals were residual . ents. Applications to shoots must. be in the soil up to eighteen months, were regular and thorough when protect~on absorbed by plant roots, and ultimately is desired and thorough as the need ar~ses were assayed biologically in the leaves. when eradication is sought. SelectIOn Compounds containing mercury, arsenic, of one ingredient from each <;>f items .A, or lead are obviously dangerous for soil B, C, and D in Table I wIll prOVIde treatments. For all such materials, elab­ compatible materials for control of orate, time-consuming, and expensive blackspot as well as the insect .and mite programs must be evolved to detect and pests of roses. For powdery mIldew. the assay the compounds or their derivatives protectant, phaltan, may. J:>e comb1l1ed that might be detrimental if contained with the necessary pestICIdes, or the in plants or animals consumed for food. eradicant, actidione PM, may be used Captan and phaltan, being complete alone. Clean culture and careful prun­ organics, probably decompose innocu­ ing should reduc~ the severi.ry of black­ ously in the soil and in the green tissues spot in an establIshed plant1l1g. Heavy of plants. The sciences of the develop­ applications of capta!l an~ phaltan to ment, use, and the social responsibili ties the soil have reduced 1l1fectIOns of black­ for systemic pesticides are in their in .. fancies. spot. Neither powdery milde:-v nor .an­ thracnose are con trolled by SOlI appJJca­ Summary tions of captan. The sciences <;>f the The need for a spray program to con­ development of, use of, and .s~CIal re­ trol blackspot and powdery mildew of sponsibilities for systemic peStiCIdes are roses will depend upon climatic factors. in infancy. A Book or Two

Your Lawn. How to make it Daffodils, Outdoors and In. and keep it. Carey E. Quinn. H earthside Press, Inc., 11 8 R. Milton Carleton. D. Van Nostrand Com­ East Twenty-eighth Street, New York 16, New pany, Inc., 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, York. 1969. 204 pages. Illustrated. $4.50 (Li­ New Jersey. 1959. 165 pages. Illustrated. brary) . A HS Members' Price $3.83. $3.95. (Library). AHS Members' Price 3.36. New. gardening books by specialists are always gratlfymg to see, es pecially about a flower as The author's foreward "New Day for Lawns" popular as the daffodil. The name daffodil as opens with a statement impressive enough of ~Ised by the au thor covers all species and hybrid the utility of this book to all who have lawns of the genus Narcissus. The book though is most­ or want to improve them to quote its first short ly about the amhor's own adventures in cultiva t­ paragraph: "Ten years ago much of the lawn ing daffodils over many years in his garden in cul~ure material presented here could not have Bethesda, Maryland. This is a how-to-do-it been put down. The research on wh ich it is book about daffodil culture and kinds for Amer­ based was hardly more than a gleam in the ica n gardens, especially applicable in eastern and scientist's eye. But now at la t we have basic southern United States. facts that will enable us to disCllss grass not as In 202 pages, author Quinn attempts to cOl'er an element in the diet of cattle, but gra s as the field in three pans. Part I concerns daffo­ the homeowner grows it-in a mown turf." dils outdoors-culture, how used in garden de­ To this reviewer it appear that the author sign, naturalizing and health. Part 2 covers daf­ has well stated the his LOry and progress of this fodils indoors-in arrangements, how to dry, revolutionary decade in creating or l'enovating forcmg and cool culture. Part 3 covers daffodils lawns in the widely differing soil and climatic for the specialist-shows, proved cultil aI'S conditions and the suitable kinds of grasses in (called varieties by the author) regional per­ various parts of this country. To be sure, it is formance, and breeding. A useful appendix not the first or only handbook that meets the covers subjects of special interest to amateur informa tional needs of lawnmakers, whether daffodil growers, such as classification, public large or small scale operators, and it lacks the daffodil gardens, daffodil retailers, typical show copious illustrations that some have featured so programs, species and modern hybrids. Two attractively, but it seems to surpass the best rival aspects of special appeal are of the rather ex­ discourses on lawns in extent and details. This tensive lists of modern cultivars recommended includes not only the g'encral discussion of soil for growing in various parts of this country and preparation, choice of seed, and how and when the information about daffodil diseases. to apply it-all basic information on building The book is illustrated with 19 excellent black a new lawn-but it helpfully covers methods and white photographs and several pages of of renovating lawns, overcoming difficulties re­ neat line drawings. Certainly matters about sulting from previous errors, and also the new­ culture have been well covered in this volume. est and most effective means for combatting T he present daffodil book is the first of its kind lawn enemies, whether insect pests, fungus dis­ to appear in this country in over 40 years and eases, or troublesome weeds. will no doubt be much sought by a host of Doubtless exception will erupt from other daffodil admirers. lawn specialists to some of the evidence and On the debit side, information about wi ld conclusions here presented, especially where both species and any historical approach to his su b­ depend on scien tific observations and experi­ ject is given small coverage. Matters about daf­ ments, but even scientists seldom agree on all fodil names could have been much improved. details. Carleton's broad experience with lawns In writing about cultivated plants we would and his practical recommendations on how best expect the author to consult the International to succeed in their construction and mainten­ Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. ance will have few equals. His way of telling the This important legal document of plantsmen whole story to amateur lawn makers will not be was ignored in the present volume. The Inter­ surpassed. national Rules have ben brought together and F. A. W, approved by an international body of plantsmen

(Books available for loan to the Membership are designated: (Library) , Those not so designated are in private collections and are not available for loan, Books available for sale to the Membership are designated with the special reduced price an,d are subj~ct to the usu;al change of p~ice without notice. Orders must be sent through the American Horticultural Society accompamed by the proper payment, Please allow two to three weeks for delivery. Those not designated for sale to the Membership at reduced prices can be purchased through the Society, however, at the retail prices uiven, In these instances the full profit is received by the Society to be used for increased '" services and benefits of the Membership,)

[ Ill ] 112 THE AlvIERICA J HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE to provide for a greater correctness and tability the species studied are more or less extensively in plant names. This code is all too frequently cultivated and that a high proportion of the overlooked by writers of popular horticultural rest is potentially valuable to horticulture. Most books. Indeed, this is a pity, since consultation of them could only be grown indoors or in from a local botanist on technical matters would warmer regions since only one species survived iron out such details and win wider support of a winter at Ithaca, New York, and 14 other the author's honest efforts on the part of his species were found able to withstand light frost. avid readers. Excellent line drawings of species were made FREDERICK G. MEYER by Miss Elfriede Abbee and one by Miss Florence Mekeel. Although the book will be of very limited value to horticulture, it does contribute much scientific knowledge concerning relationship, evo· lution, distribution, and speciation of plants. T he Gardener's World D. G. HUTILESTON Joseph ''''ood Krutch, Editor. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 210 Madison Avenue, New York 16, New York. 1959. 476 pages. Illustrated. $8.95. (Library) . A collection of writings on plan ts to be read America's Garden Book. at your leisure, but in the process the reader .lames and Louise Bush-Brown. Charles will be learning. Selections have been made Scribner's Sons, 597 Fifth Avenue, New York by the editor from the writings of ancient Greek 17, New York. New Revised Edition. 1958. and Roman authors to those of modern day. 752 pages. Illustrated. $7 .95. (Library) . These include many who are probably better known in some other field of writing or en· Since 1939 Ame?'ica's Garden Book has served deavor. They are philosophers, essayists, writers, as one of the most helpful general-purpose political scientists, plant explorers, travelers, gardening references. Joint written by a prom­ plant scientists and those who have liked and inent landscape architect and by the Di­ en joyed plan ts. rector Emeritus of the Pennsylvania School of These selections have been grouped together Horticulture, it was provided original and into several sections of related topics, such as: sound advice on all major facets of the use of The Pleasures of Gardening, Fashions in Gar­ plants in the home garden as well as experi­ dens, The Linnaean Age, Exploring for Plants. enced and helpfully useful informatlon on the Gardens without Gardeners, and Some Useful culture and propagation of plants. Plants. Perhaps your favorite author or writer The present book is a completely revised has not been included but you will find many edition with re-arranged and new subject matter selections of great plant interest. It is the presented in a modern manner on seven by kind of book to read for enjoyment and should nine inch pages. Enlarged photographs and appeal to all who have a broad interest in line drawings are clear and attractive and plants. include numerous additions to bring design C. B. L. features abreast of present-day trends. There are fifteen chapters on the design and construction of special gardens and garden fea­ tures, a similar number on the kinds of plants (including fruits and vegetables) for use in these gardens and another twelve devoted to the Sedum of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic varied problems of soils, pests, and weed con­ Belt: An Exposition of Taxonomic trol, to the maintenance of cold frames and greenhouses. The inclusion of side information Methods. on hardiness and frost-date maps, directories of Robert T. Clausen. Comstock Publishing plant societies, notable gardens, etc., add to the Associates, (A division of Cornell University further usefulness of this well-rounded garden Press), 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, New York. reference. There is a good index. 1959. 392 pages. Illustrated. $7.75. (Library). H.T.S. It is abundantly clear to the reviewer that a prodigious amount of work is behind the writin" of ~his book. Besides three trips to Mexic~ dUrIng which the author studied the plants in the field , most of the species have been "rown Knowing Your Trees. and studied intensively under cultivatior';' and a great deal of library and herbarium work G. H. Collingwood and Warren D. Brush. has been done in preparation of the manuscript. American Forestry Association, 919 Seven­ teenth Street, Northwest, Washington 6, D. C. Dr. Clausen is a very able taxonomist and [1955 Editionl Sixteenth Printing. 328 pages. has wTltten a book mainly for taxonomists and Illustrated. $6.00. (Library) . for persons whose interest is the study of evo­ lution. Tho~lgh he treats the 28 native species Conifers are described in the first 141 pages of Se.dum WIth. rare thoroughness and the 7 and broad-leaves in the remaining 187. Charac­ additiOnal cultIvated species very adequately, teristics, importance and uses of the wood of there are over 300 species in the genus so that 162 selected species of trees are discussed. a very small proportion of them falls within The excellent illustrations [more than 850] of the scope of this book. It is true that some of rna ture trees, thei r leaves, ba rk, buds, flowers, APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 113

fruits, cones, and maps of distribution of each Anyone Can Grow Roses. species are a distinct contribu lion to the useful­ ness of the book. Cynthia Wescott. D. Van Nostrand Com­ Trees from all parts of the United States are pany, Inc., 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, included. One could question a few of the selec­ New Jersey. 1960. Third Edition. 208 pages. tions bu t after all not all species could be Illustrated. $3 .75. (Library). AHS Members' selected. There is a short selected bibliography Price $3 .19. and an alphabetical index by common names. In this thoroughly revised third edition, the Species are not arranged alphabetically in the author adds much new material while retaining text. the basic principles of rose culture, the unique A. A. charts for the identification of rose pests, and the same delightful and inspiring enthusiasm. A list of the public gardens featuring roses has been added and a new chapter on propa­ gating roses. Information on up-to-date insecti­ Chinese Flower Arrangement. cides, sprays and fertilizers, changes in classi­ fication are discussed and more details are given H. L. Li. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., on preparing roses for exhibition. A new list 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, New Jersey. of 288 varieties and species includes many new 1959. 125 pages. Illustrated. $6.50. (Library). roses, with some old favorites omitted because AHS Members' Price $5 .53. they are no longer available. For these 288 list­ This short book, very conversational in 8tyle, ings, each is given the American Rose Society is charmingly written. It relates much of the rating, color, fragrance, height, habit, and help­ ancient custom influencing Chinese flower ar­ ful comments. rangement and ancient Chinese culture so related. There are, included in Appendix I, quotations from A Treatise of Vase Flowers by Chang Ch'ien-te, a book written in 1595. Also included is a list of "grading of flowers" many of which are native to the warmer sections of Fuchsias for all purposes. China, therefore not practical or available to the cooler sections of the United States. Many Thomas Thorne. W . H . & L. Collingridge, of the flowers so listed are common to our own London, England. Distributed by Trans­ gardens. atlantic Arts, Inc., Hollywood By The Sea, So called rules or guides for Chinese ar­ Florida. 1959. 175 pages. Illustrated. $7.50. rangements are covered in a short chapter, en­ An authoritative and comprehensive book on titled, "Hsieh Ho's Six Canons" and upon close the fuchsias has been needed in the United study, these rules, although ancient, are em­ States for quite some time. ML Thorne now bodied in our modern day arrangements that generously fills this need. He was a born fuchsia featme good design. "Design and Composition" specialist-his father and his father were fuchsia is covered in another short chapter which would enthusiast-he was taught how to grow the seem to call for more elaborate description, plants, pricking out seedlings and taking cut­ perhaps setting forth how the arranger of today tings at the age of six. His tuition was very could reproduce a good Chinese arrangement. thorough and he has been actively concerned Several line drawings, showing how to trim with fuchsias ever since. branches, are included here. "Symbolism in In the last nineteen years, Mr. Thorne has Flowers" is a subject given some attention and been working on fuchsia species, getting them is interestingly set forth. into some sort of order and providing fair des­ "Flowers and Plants for Arrangements" and criptions of them. In compiling the check list "Plants for Table Decoration" describe the au­ of fuchsias, an important feature of the book, thentic Chinese materials to use and this part he had to study many old catalogues and books of the book leans heavily toward horticultural and his work, in this connection, has led to the description ~ather than the actual arrangement re-introduction of 806 (!) old varieties believed of the materials. "Vases, Pots and Trays" are to have been lost to cultivation. described and pictured; some good photographs ML Thorne treats his subject matter in two of rare museum pieces and some line draw­ main divisions: the first deals with cultivation; ings of typical Chinese containers are shown. the second is an alphabetical description of The photographs of arrangements are mainly species, hybrids, and varieties. In the first in­ from old prints and woodcuts depicting the stance, he writes very interestingly on the origin 17th and 18th centuries. Included are some eigh­ of the fuchsia, its adaptability to various land­ teen small illustrations in black and white of scape and pot conditions, cultivation, prop­ arrangements for today's arranger (materials agation, hybridization, training, pests, diseases, and containers shown would be available to and he recommends the numerous varieties them) to note carefully including several table that would be suitable for different situations. plants or low containers planted with land­ The alphabetical list of species, hybrids, and scapes utilizing dwarfed pines, junipers, .maples, varieties, is the only up-to-date and fully comp­ with the addition of stones, mosses, and 111 some rehensive list in existence. For each plant, cases small figures to complete the design. it gives a rather full description of the date of The type and general format appear to be introduction, the breeder, or introducer, or identical with Hedera House's first printing country of origin, the type of flowers, their of this work in 1956, but the new book does add color, flowering time, growth habit, hardiness, marginal subject headings, which are very help­ etc. ful, and, there are quite a few new plates added. There is one color plate, 33 black and white VlcrORIA K. ANGEL halftones, and 5 line drawings. 1I4 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

The Best of Redoute's Roses. This excellent ~' eference book, of the Depart­ ment of Agriculture, first published in 1948, is Selected and introduced by Eva Mannering. still available through a recent reprinting. No The Viking Press, Inc., 625 Madison Avenue, other book contains in so concise and under­ New York 22, New York. 1960. 74 pages, standable a form so much itlformation about col­ (16 text and 29 plates). $10.00. lecting, extracting, cleaHing, storing, treating, The Empress Josephine was, indeed, the most and testing seed of woody plants. Flower devel­ controversial of women! She arrived in France opment and pollination a.e discussed. Causes from Martinique with only a few muslin dres· of dormancy are explained and methods of ses and childish trinkets, spent many unhappy breaking dormancy suggested. The importance years in a convenience marriage; then with her of provenance and seed certification are dis­ inherited possessions and Napoleon's help, she cussed. indulged in every extravagant whim in an Part I ,(pag'es 1 through 52) is devoted to gen­ obsession to get even with the world. eral consideratIOns. In Part II (pages 53 through Her real home was the Chateau of Mal­ 377) specific information is given abOUt seed of maison. There, under the guidance of archi­ 140 geneTa, many with several species. There tects Percier and Fontaine, the interior was are also lists of plants useful for wood produc­ practically rebuilt. The gardens were next. tIOn , eroSIOn control, shelter belts, wildlife, and Fortunes we1'e spent in fashionable designs. ornamental. planting. A glossary and com­ the best of gardeners, and the choicest of plant prehenSive mdex are included. The 281 illus­ materials. In later years her thoughts centered trations [showing the exterior and longitudinal around the Rose and here she excelled herself, sectIOn of seeds and others the views of seedlings making the most glorious rose garden then from a day or so out of the ground to about known by assembling for the first time the 250 three months later] increase the book's value. varieties known in her day. Data are summarized in 225 Tables. josephine's achievement was unique for her The prof~s~ional nurseryman will appreciate day-a triumph of perseverance. She had given the authentiCity, and the exhaustive treatment France a new show place and with the millions of the subject. The amateur will find the book poured into Malmaison, she had reached self­ a treasure chest of information on what he can satisfaction. Yet, not really. She thought of pos­ do with and expect from seed of woody plants. terity, thence Pierre-Joseph Redoute. A. A. Redoute (1759-1840) was born in Luxemborg ar;d call1:e t? Paris at the age of 23 to complete hiS studies In the art of flower paintina at the Jardin du Roi. He learned a new method of stipple ~r;graving from Bartolozzi, its originator, on a VlSlt to London in 1788. Perfecting this method, to make it suitable for the particular Design with Flowers . .. Unlimited. needs of the flower print, he reached an excel­ Patricia Kroh. Doubleday and Company, lence yet unsurpassed. Inc., 575 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New I:Iis Les Roses, published in magnificent York. 1959. 141 pages. Illustrated. $4.95. folios from 1817 to 1824 set the seal on his (Library) . fame as the most accomplished as well as the most prolific flower painter of his time if not " How to come upon variation of design with of all time. ' flowers and plan ts is the first consideration for In the present volume, Miss Mannering writes both the novice and expert artist with flowers" of josephine's struggles and triumphs and of is the challenging theme developed by the au­ thor. . Persistence, energy, orderly thought, study, R~doutes commission as her official painter. MiSS lV!annenng. selects twenty-nine plates from practice, and, above all, common sense, provide the ongInal folios as her choice of his "best" the ability to design. She shows clearly the rose paintings. This selection is good. The close relationship among' all the arts-music, engraver-printer (K. G. Lohse, Frankfurt am painting, landscape design, interior decorating Main, Germany) has done a fine job. and flower design-the use of the principles and There are four pages of intrOductory matter elements of design: harmony, unity, line, pat­ l~ pages of descriptions of the roses selected tern, rhythm, texture, form, and color. The key .(m French) -:three to the page, with a match­ to planning variety in design depends upon how mg pen and Ink sketch of the flower used in you can handle your knowledge of these ele­ ments. the pla~es then, the 29 colored plates, com­ plete With the framed depression made by the A good design made of plant material and engravings. The volume measures a generous flowers must have the following qualifications: twelve by sixteen inches. balance, proportion, scale, contrast, dominance, and repetition-all essential to design perfection, Jo.HN MARSHALL and all can be achieved with the proper and ex­ tremely important use of color. Each illustrated design (and there are 91; 21 being in color) is shown with its own line sketch; the majority of them, happily, are for the. home. There are chapters o.n containers, W oody.Plant Seed Manual. their form, ~aterial , texture, color; equipment and mechamcs necessary for good design struc­ l!. S. Forest Service, U. S. Department of Ag­ ture; plant conditioning; planning, arranging riculture. (Order direct from: U. S. Govern­ and transporting exhibits for shows wherein m~nt Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.) simp~ic~ty and distinction are predominant char­ Miscellaneous Publication No. 654. 1948. 416 actenstlcs . of these competitive arrangements; pages. Illustrated. $4.00. (Library) . and selectIOn of garden and roadside material APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 11 5 for home arrangements, making effective use of landscape techniques are included. Supple­ bloom, berry and foliage. At the end is a list menting this section is a short history of Camel­ of flowers and some shrubs grouped for color lia sasanqua and allied species, tracing their a nd season. The reviewer recommends Miss introduction from the Orient into England a nd Kroh's work as an interesting textbook, either America, and to the Huntington Botanical fo r self·study or for a teacher's use. Gardens. T he author, who studied ikebana in four o f In this volume, the so urce of the plants ,is the leading schools in Tokyo, devotes one chap­ included, giving the known origins of the ter to "Des ign With Flowers-East and VI'es t," cultivars. This informa ti on, included by pop­ emphasizing the necessarily differen t approaches ular demand, is most helpful to the historian to this art. as well as to the camellia fancier wishing to pur­ "Learning the principles of design simply chase newly introduced varieties, or perhaps means knowing the standards by which yo ur an old variety lost by most nurseries through art is judged, so that you may be the better lack of a demand from their public. judge of it yo urself." As was done in the co mpanion books, the M. C. LANcAsmR present one is edited in fo ur-page series-the first left hand page gives the descriptive data, observations, and behavior for three cultivars; then the following three pages have full page tllustratJOns (black and white) of these three Plant Growth Substances. cul tivars. T he production is elegantly executed and the L. J. Audus. Interscience P ublishers, Inc., text is written with the sa me high standards 250 Fifth Avenue, New York 1, New York. es tablished by the author in the other volumes. 1959. Second Revised and Enlarged Edition. 554 pages. Illustrated. $ 10.00. (Library) . AHS Members' Price $8.50. Since the dawn of agriculture one of man's U sing Wayside Plants. principal aims has been the promotion and Nelson Coon. Hearthside Press, Inc., li B East control of plant growth. This book presents Twenty-eighth Street, New York 16, New the physiological background of the u e of York. 1960. T hird R evised Edition. 254 pages. plant growth-regulating substances in agricul­ Illustrated. $3.95. (Library) . AHS Members' ture and horticulture. For the sake of the lay­ Price $3.36. man and nonspecialist the language has been kept as nontechnical as possible. It surveys all AHS members may refer to the J anuary 1958 the varied uses to which these substances have iss ue of this magazine for a full review of the been put in recent years-for example, the con­ first edition of this volume "privately" pub­ trol of weeds by selective weed-killers, the regu ­ llsh ed by the author in 1957. He writes on how lation of fruitset, the control of pre-harvest to identify and use wild plants of roadside and drop of fruits, the promotion of rooting in woodland, for food, medicine, and nature craft. cuttings and the regulation of dormancy a nd of It is pleasing to know that the demand has flowering. caused the commercial publisher to purchase The Second R evised and Enlarged Edition the type and engravings and to release this has been added in the series of Plant Science p resent edition. Very m inor changes were made. Monographs (Published: A lfalfa, Coconuts, Eucalyptus, Hops, Mango, Peanuts, Pineapple, Tomatoes, Wheat and so me 12 other titles) being edited by Nicholas Polunin and published Perennials in the Garden by Leonard Hill (Books), Limited, London, for Lasting Beauty. England. Charles H . Potter. Criterion Books, 257 Fourth Avenue, New York 10, New York. 1959. 271 p ages. Illustrated (40 in color). $6.95. (Library). Camellias in the Huntington Garde·ns. While it is true that Perennials have been the Observations on Their CultuTe and Behavior subject of a great many books, this one is up-to­ and Descriptions of Cultivars. date in methodology and approach. There are two sections as is the usual division of such a William Hertrich. The Huntington Library, book, the first dealing with Growth and Care Sa n Marino, California. 1959. Volume III. of Perennials and the second, A Complete Guide 366 pages. Illustrated. $10.00. (Library). to R aisi ng Perennials. The latter section, which The third and final volume of Camellias in is the " heart" of the book, deals with specific the Huntington Gm'dens describes and illus­ perennial plants. These are listed alphabetically trates over two hundred additional Camellia by scientific n ame and for each the discussion japonica cultivars. Many of these are recent covers Popular Species, How to Use Them, Cul­ introductions by the camellia hybridizers. Pre­ tural Tips, Propagation Methods, and Special sented for the first time in this volume are sixty­ Diseases and Pests to Guard Against. three plates and descriptions of Camellia The whole book is easy reading, conservative sasanqua a nd its allied species hiemalis and in recommendations, and is illustrated with vernalis, newest l"ivals to the japonica in pop­ charts, diagrams, and 40 colored plates of in­ ularity. dividual perennials. If you require a book on In view of the increasing demand for the ver­ Perennials, this one will surely fit the need. The satile sasanqua, only those cultivars which have Society member will do well to consider the pur­ proved themselves adaptable to a variety of chase of this text. The Gardeners' Pocketbook

U.S.D.A. Magnolia wilsoni with obovate petals and a cluster of rasp­ berry-red stamens surrounding the green carpels. The leaves are broadly elliptic Ma,O'nolia wilsoni is one of our more and more or less pointed at the tip. beautiful reminders of the journeys of The writer has seen two plants grow­ Ernest H. Wilson in the Orient. This ing close together in Silver Spring, l\Iary­ magnolia was first seen by him .duril:g­ land; one is in a semi-shaded, moist loca­ a trip to western Szechuan, Chma, m tion, has made the best growth, and is 1904. Four years later "Wilson introduced perhaps twice as large as the one in a it into cultivation. He described it as more sunny-location. a straggly deciduous tree growing to Propagation is by seed and grafting. twenty-five feet high in the wild. This Occasionally, a cutting will root, but magnolia is rather common in moist with limited ch ances for survival. lVI. woods and thickets at al titudes of six to wilsoni probably can be layered, but seven thousand feet. The flowers are liKe other deciduous Asiatic magnolias, borne in moderate profusion and are of it is difficult to propagate vegetatively. such striking beauty that one wonders A further word of cau tion: like all Asi­ why the trees are found so infrequently atic magnolias, it must be carefully in our gardens. Only nine nurseries are transplanted, avoiding damage to the listed as offering this species in the Plant fleshy roots near the surface of the soil. Buyers Guide, 19 58. It may be that wi th increasing interest Magnolia wilsoni is characterized by of gardeners in rare species, the future branchlets which turn dark brown, al­ of M. wilsoni is promising. For the most purple, at maturity and is certainly present, however, this species remains in the darkest of all magnolias. The flowers horticultural obscurity-only another en­ are white, pendent, and fragrant. The tity in the long list of plants collected peak of flowering [in the Washington, by Ernest H. Wilson in his wanderings D. C., area] is reached in late Mayor through the high mountain forests of early June, but scattering flowers are China. JOH N L. CREECH, Agricultural produced for some time after the main Research Service, U.S. Depa1"tment of blooming period has passed. The mature Agriculture, Crops R esem'ch Division, flowers are about four inches across, Beltsville, Maryland. [I16] APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 117

Pumice Rock shift to different quarters in summer and An extremely light grey "rock" has winter. Rapid drainage makes the like­ come into quite wide use in California lihood of damage from heavy rain or during the past few years. It has been watering not so great as with ordinary called glass rock, sponge rock, or "feather methods.-FREDERICK ·W. CaE, San An­ rock" but probably pumice rock would selmo, Califomia. be the most accurate name. This is a true pumice quarried in Mono County in east central California and is retailed at many nurseries and garden supply Rutherford Hybrid Azaleas centers. The rock is made up of a fine The Rutherford Hybrid azaleas are froth 'of grey glass-like material and be­ reputed to be tender and were originated cause of the sharp edges of the broken for greenhouse use. Nevertheless they " bubbles" it must be handled very care­ will grow well out of doors in climates fully. It varies somewhat in weight and which are subject to several degrees of texture due to the difference in the size frost. Here in the Sacramento Valley of and amounts of the bubbles, but usually California they have taken down to 25 the weight is around IS-IS lbs. for a degrees Fahrenhei t withou t injury. cubic foot block. These Rutherford hybrids are an ex­ One interesting fact about this ma­ cellent group of evergreen azaleas, most­ terial is the ease with which it can be ly of medium height, although a few will shaped and excavated for planting. Al­ reach 5 or 6 feet. L. J. Bobbink, a fairly most any piece of iron can be used to rapid grower, has reached 6 feet with us bore or chip holes in this rock and when after 20 years of growing. It is a com­ a suitably shaped hole is made, no ar­ paratively late bloomer with hose-in­ rangemen t for drainage is needed. Water hose, frilled, lilac blossoms which shade immedia tely drains through and over­ lighter toward the cen ter. watering is no problem. The flowers of the Rutherfords are of This rock is ideal for succulent plants all types, single, semi-double, and double of almost any type. Sempervivums do with many hose-in-hose. Some are very beautifully and the many offsets root fragrant although the majority are al­ into the surface to form a solid mat. most scentless. Colors are in the same Drought resistant plants and alpines range as the Kurumes, from white to that need "sharp drainage" also thrive in crimson. Although the blossom sizes many cases. Lewisias grow beautifully are not as large as those of the Belgian when planted in pockets on a chunk of hybrids they are considerably larger than this rock. A feeding program is simple most of the Kurumes. They are borne as any soluble fertilizer placed on the in trusses and remain in good condition upper surface dissolves into the rock on for weeks, regardless of weather condi­ watering. tions. Oddly enough, some trees grow well in Bloom time for these azaleas ranges this rock. A Japanese maple planted in [rom early winter, with Early Wonder a pocket of a piece of rock I 0- I 2 inches as an example, to Mrs. A. M. Mueller a in diameter has grown happily for two reddish violet, April bloomer. The or three years and is IS-20 inches high. heaviest bloom of the group comes in It confines its roots to the interior of March and early April. Although most the rock and shows no tendency to send of the colors are in the deeper shades its roots into the ground. Dwarf juni­ there are a number of good whites, early pers and the small conifers also grow or late. Delight is a lovely shade of happily in this rock. Haberlias and shrimp pink but the plant is not quite ramondias seem very content in this as vigorous as most of the others. Con­ rock, growing and flowering to perfec­ stance, a single pink, which is ruffled tion. The excellent drainage precludes and frilled, is a universal favorite, at­ over-watering and again feeding can be tracting attention wherever grown. done regularly. A light potting mixture The growing habit of the Ruther­ is used in planting these. fordianas is compact, with good foliage Tender succulents do equally well in and innumerable flower heads. They this material and in a rather small piece require little pruning, mostly a matter a number of plants can be grown. The of trimming off old flower heads.-MRs. lig'htness of the rock makes it easy to R. G. STAPLETON, Omville, Califomia. 118 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

JOHN ROBINSON

Rutherford Hybrid 'L. J. Bobbink' APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 11 9

JOH N ROBI NSON

Rutherford Hybrid 'Constance' 120 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

C. HAM'PFLER

Pycnostachys dawei

Two Uncommon African Members of tivated in Europe, they are apparently the Mint Family rarely grown in this country and cer­ tainly deserve to be better known. Pycnostachys dawei is an upright herb Two very worthwhile African mem­ 4-6 feet in height with lance-shaped, bers of the mint family are notable for medium green leaves. The inflorescences adding bright blue color to the green­ are dense, terminal spikes 3 inches long house in winter. They are Pycnostachys by 1 Y2 inches in diameter. The RHS aawei and Colew th),Tsoideus. Both are Cornflower Blue 742 II flowers are borne easily cuI t i vat e d and long lasting. in a ring which moves up the inflores­ Though well known and commonly cul- cence as the season progresses. They APRIL 1960, VOLUME 39, NUMBER 2 121

G. HAMPFLER

Coleus thyrsoideus remain in flower from 5 to 7 weeks and Coleus thyrsoideus is a spreading herb make good cut flowers. 2~.t2 to 3 feet tall with ovate, toothed Cuttings root very easily and should gray-green leaves. The inflorescences be taken in early July. Any good pot­ are compound racemes 6 inches long. ting soil with bone meal added is suit­ The flowers are slightly lighter (RHS able. For bushy plants they should be pinched back 3 or 4 times before mid­ Cornflower Blue 742/2) than the Pyc­ October and may be fed every 2 to 3 nostachys dawei and last from 6 weeks weeks until spikes appear. They do to two months. Propagation and culti­ best at a night temperature of 60°. After vation are the same as for Pycnostachys. flowering they should be severely cut -D. G. HUTTLESTON) Longwood Gar­ back to stimulate growth [or cuttings. dens) K ennett Square) Pennsylvania. 122 THE Al\>IERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

G. HAMPFLER

Magnolia coco

lVlagnolia gmndifiora. Several stems on the plant have reached better than one­ This species of magnolia is certainly half inch in diameter but in height a rarity in cultivation if, for no other none are over two and a half feet. Flower reason, than lack of a source from which buds are formed on the new growth to obtain it. It comes from a region and open throughou t warm weather. rarely thought of as a home for mag­ The urn-shaped flowers are white, droop­ nolias, namely Java; and this would be ing, and very sweet scented. Usually an excellent second reason for its lack four to six flowers will be open at one of cultivation in the open. One plant time between late Spring and early Fall. has, however, been growing for a half This species is difficult to propagate dozen years in a sheltered spot in a gar­ and although possibly under mist cut­ den north of San Francisco. Certainly it tings may root more easily, the usual cannot be considered a hardy species, methods of rooting cuttings are not suc­ but the small size of this plant and the cessful. It is possible to graft this species profuse bloom makes it worth while if on M. gm'rldifiom, but even then only a only as a tub plant. small percentage "take." This species branches from the base As a tub plant this should be valuable in much the manner of Magnolia stel­ even in the colder parts of the United lata, but there the resemblance stops. States as it can be kept in a frost-free The shining evergreen leaves are eight light position during the winter months. to ten inches long but do not have the -FREDERICK W. COE, San Anselmo, Cali­ usual brown or tan undersurface as in fon~i{{. DAVID GR IFFITHS

Opunita camanchica