WCP2454

[1]

THE TOWERS,

HILLINGDON,

UXBRIDGE.

July 19 [1892?]

Dear Sir

I supply Kew and some of my Friends with the "[3 words illeg.]" and last autumn I took up forth good [illeg.] all of which did well through the [illeg.] in the spring I put out two and retained two in pots [2] in about ^{a week} from this time all turned suddenly black, and died. I have grown this for twenty years, and never had any trouble with it, although others complain it is not likely to grow. I shall no doubt be enabled to bring you a plant in the autumn. [3] I am trying to get this place and if I succeed I shall look out for a brown litter in or near Bournemouth. Do you find Parkstone healthy I was about to purchase that old place, about half a mile from station. I forget its name but it has some 50 or 60 acres altogether, but the house and a few acres, can be purchased without the stables and land on on other side of road, no [4] doubt you know the place well. I like the East cliff far better than the west, and believe it to be more healthy, and bracing. I mean the Branksome Wood round near the Talbot wood, which is really somewhat between east & west. Choisya ternata, Clematis coccineum & [2 words illeg.] are these good wall [illeg.], the second is also suitable to grow in bush forms Embothrium coccineum is lovely and would do well at Parkstone[.]¹ I shall be glad to see you here when you come to town. I would meet you at Hayes.

Yours very truly | B. Hooke²

Lithospermum prostratum is a beautiful dwarf shrub suitable for rockery intense blue

“Spira Crissufolia is a pretty dwarf shrub in bloom here.