Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
NEW WINTER BEGONIAS.
Cultivation of Flowers Suggested as
"a P:,stime for Women.

From the New York Telegram.
1t is one OF the triumphs of modern
hybridization that it has been found pos
Sible to originate distinct families OF
flowers differing in their habits and appear
ance from either of their parents.
This is especially observable in the case
of begonias, the magnificent tuberous-
rooted varieties being totally distinct from
the fibrous-rooted begonias, which are ever
green, many of those with large, hand
some leaves making excellent decorative
plants in winter.
One of these hairy-rooted begonias Us.
Socotrana), having been hybridized with
pollen from fine tubrous-rooted begonla,
has become the parent OF new race, IN
which the winter Towering habits and the
evergreen character of Il. socotrana are
retained, while its small red flowers are
exchanged for handsome blossoms of va
riouS shades OF rose color ana earmlne,
each bloom being from two to three inches
across, borne in elegant sprays above the
massive peltate foliage.
One of these is Winter Gem, with rich
crimson flowers, produced in full corymbs
throughout the winter, with the additional
merit OF lasting for some weeks in beauty
eN en- when cut. John Heal, q brilliant rose
tinted begonia, is equally persistent, and
these plants are invaluable for decorative
purposes, either in the conservatory or in
the house. b. Adonis, however, bears
away the palm for the size of its blossoms,
of bright scarlet shading to a softer tint
IL the center, altogether a most beautiful
plant. These large-howered winter be
gonias may well be supplemented with the
magnificent foliage of some Of the newer
Continental fbrouS-rooted begoniaS of the
subpeltata type, which bear pretty sprays
of more or less pale rose-colored flowers in
summer. but can be used decorative
plants throughout the year, their leaves
being specially handsome.
Although begonias of this type, as well
as that older form entitled the Rex group,
reed considerable moisture in the atTos
phere to expand their broad foliage salts
factorily in summer time, their leaves are
almost dormant during the winter, needing
to be kept considerably dryer and cooler;
for this reason they are specially useful
for grouping with Towering plants in the
house, standing well for many weeks in
any shady position free from frost, and
only requiring sufficient water to keep the
foliage from dropping. OF this family of
begoniaS Arthur Malet is 4 very distinct and
beautiful plant, with bright pink and silver
leaves, veined with green. Louise Closon.
paler tintS of others, for its beautiful
leaves are of the darkest shade of marone.
a rich crimson horseshoe being the only
other color in its foliage.
Madame Leonnet is remarkable for the
variety of its shading, the younger leaves
being a rosy shade of carmine, which
fades as they eXpend into a silvery hue,
the midribs and veining being of soft, deep
green.
A metallic luster is shown in B. Gloire de
SceauX, with bronze foliage reversed with
crimson; and Jeanne Dare is siivery green,
q lovely pale shade, adding a distinct va
riety to the rest With these and a few
selections from the Rex group of foliage
begonias (such as B. splendens, b. aureo
mA~marata. with golden markings and b.
La Perle de Paris, with pearly white
leaves a few towering plants may be made
to go q long way, the rich and varied tints
of the begonas being very decorative N
themselves