A Fine Plant A plant which blooms continually for six
months and is beautiful both in seed and in flower is something for which every gardener searches. Verbena renosa does all this. It makes a modest and graceful bush covered with moderate purple flowers rather like those of Salvia virgata nemorosa, the seed husks having the same papery stiffness as those of the salvia, but duller in colour. A plant raised from seed sown in March will begin to bloom in July or even June, and then go on to November or December without ever fading or looking dowdy, like a little bush of perpetual lavender. And planted with Gazania splendens it is not only charming but striking, the flat orange and black daisies and the silver gazania leaves contrasting. beautifully with the mauve and mouse- colour of the verbena flowers and seeds. Both plants are doubtfully hardy except on the sea-coast, but propagation by cuttings and seed is child's play. Verbena venom Marina has now also appeared, and some seductive hybrid gazanias in tangerine and moon-colour and yellow and rose. These hybrids are reasonably priced, but the latest addition to the gazania family can only be the pet of millionaires. It is a 'delicate thing in violet and cream, has been named and raised and offered in honour of the Jubilee, and is moderately priced at 173s. per plant. The faith of nurserymen is wonderful.
H. E. BATES.
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