The specimens I have are these: Aucubæ Folium—leaves large, dark green, blotched with golden yellow. Interruptum, very long leaves, mid-rib bright scarlet, shading to gold—very graceful. Irregulare, so named because of the irregularity of its leaves in shape and color—two precisely alike being rare.
The handsomest however of my collection, is Croton Weismanni. The ground color is a shining bright green, striped and mottled with golden yellow. The leaves grow to a foot in length and three-fourths of an inch wide. Among the more recent and high priced novelties are Croton Evansianus and Princess of Wales. The former is "distinguished by the peculiar form of its trilobate leaves and the depth of coloring pervading the whole plant. The newest formed leaves are light olive green with mid-ribs and veins of golden yellow, and the interspaces spotted with the same color. As the leaves become older, the green deepens and changes to a bright bronzy crimson, and the golden yellow of the mid-ribs, veins and spots becomes a rich orange scarlet." Princess of Wales is one of the long-leaved drooping forms of Croton, and is very distinct in character. The leaves are from one and one-half to two feet in length. The ground color is green, and the variegations creamy-yellow, very variable in color. The markings are of the maculate style, with here and there large blotches of clear cream-yellow, and and in other parts clouded markings of smaller confluent blotches and spots. Occasionally these conditions are reversed.
The Croton Fenzii, recently offered in commerce by M. Solviati, of Florence, is described as a jewel among the Crotons. It is the result of a cross effected in the green-houses of Sesto, between C. Veitchii and C. Weismanni, and has moderate sized oval acuminate leaves, richly veined with golden yellow, the principal nerves being purplish-red, which color extends to the stem and the petiole. The habit is so dwarf and compact that plants only a foot high are often seen with all their splendor, the yellow streaking then extending to almost the whole surface of the leaf, and the red nerves shining on the yellow ground. It is a variety especially fitted for the decoration of small green-houses, as it requires very little room to be able to develop all its charms. This variety has been dedicated to the Chevalier E. O. Fenzi, President of the Royal Horticultural Society of Tuscany.—London Florist.
FANCY CALADIUMS.
Of these the varieties are numerous, and the foliage very ornamental. Those I have are Dr. Hondley; green ground, blotched with rose, crimson center; Madame Houllette,—blush clusters and white spots on green ground; Sagittæfolium pictum,—arrow-shaped leaves prettily spotted with white; Madame Alfred Bleu,—the ground color of the leaves is silvery white, which is blotched with green, in some leaves very sparingly, in others, nearly half the surface; the veins are prominent and of rich rosy crimson, bordered by narrow bands of a lighter shade. Alfred Mame,—beautiful deep carmine, richly marked with rosy spots and white leaf margin. La Perle de Brazil,—ground color, green, reticulated all over with pure white, like fine lace. These last three are from the collection of Mr. John Saul of Washington, and are new.
Fancy Caladiums do best in somewhat shaded positions, in well enriched soil, composed of finely decomposed manure, leaf mold and sand, and a moist, warm temperature. Great care must be had in their earliest stage of growth, to prevent decay of the tubers by over-watering. They can be preserved in sand during the winter, in a room sufficiently warm to prevent danger from frost.
CALADIUM ESCULENTUM,
Is the most striking and grand of the Ornamental Foliage Plants for the lawn or flower garden. It will grow in any good soil, and is very easy of cultivation. When of full size it stands about five feet high, and its immense leaves often measure four feet in length by two and a half in breadth; very smooth, of a light green color, beautifully veined and variegated with dark green. When killed down by frost in the autumn, the bulbs must be taken up and stored in the cellar. The Caladium belongs to the family of "Jack in the Pulpit," or Indian Turnip, and the Ethiopian or Egyptian Calla. They rarely bloom in our Northern States. The flowers resemble in shape the Calla Lily, only are much larger and narrower, are of a rich cream color, very fragrant at first, but soon lose their odor, which resembles the Magnolia.
ERANTHEMUMS.
These comprise a large genus valuable for their foliage and also winter flowers, yet not very generally cultivated. Mine are labeled Andersonii, "a handsome orchid-like flower, white, spotted with red." Pictum, foliage prettily streaked with white, a strong, vigorous grower; Tricolor, leaves prettily marked with pink and green; Cooperi, has flowers white, prettily streaked with purple; El Dorado, light green foliage, with golden veinings.