ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGED PLANTS.
“Oh! who that has an eye to see,
A heart to feel, a tongue to bless,
Can ever undelighted be,
With nature’s magic loveliness.”
Variegated leaved plants are quite the fashion at this time, and are
becoming more popular every year. They produce a fine effect when
planted in oval or circular beds. The _furore_ for these plants has
produced a great variety; the whole world has been searched for rare
specimens, and these have been hybridized, and greatly improved. A bed
of them, well arranged as to color, is a most gorgeous sight, equal to
any display of flowers.
A recent writer speaks of them thus:--
“Do not these curious plants, that among their leaves of light have
no need of flowers, resemble those rare human plants that develop all
the beauties of mind and character at an exceptionally early age, and
rapidly ripen for the tomb? They do not live to bring forth the flowers
and fruits of life’s vigorous prime, and therefore God converts their
foliage into leaves, crowns the initial stage with the glories of the
final, and makes their very leaves beautiful. By the transfiguration of
His grace, by the light that never was on sea or land, He adorns even
their tender years with all the loveliness which in other cases comes
only with full maturity.”
A very pretty bed of Ornamental Plants can be sown from seed. In the
center, plant the Striped-leaved Japanese Corn. A foot from it on all
sides, sow seeds of the Cannas; soak the seeds in boiling water for an
hour, and pour boiling water on the ground after the seeds are planted.
If planted about the 10th of May, they will grow finely.
For the next row, sow Amaranthus melancholicus, and thin out the plants
a foot apart. Next to these put the Silvery-leaved Cineraria maritima;
and border the whole with Perilla Nankinensis. A row of white Candytuft
could come after the Perilla, but it must be pulled up as soon as its
flowers are past, or it will destroy the beauty of the bed. Such a bed
could be obtained at a slight expense, not exceeding one dollar; while
for a bed of Coleus--Achyranthus, Caladiums, Cineraria Acanthifolia,
Alternantheras, Centaureas and Gnaphalium, sixty to seventy-five
dollars is often paid. Of course, a bed of the latter description
is far more _recherche_ than one of the former; but only those whom
Fortune has favored, can possess it; while you and I can delight our
eyes daily with the bed of our own planting from seeds.
_Coleus._
These plants take first rank among variegated plants. Coleus
Verschaffeltii, with rich crimson leaves, veined with bronze and
margined with green, was considered a rare wonder; but the Golden
Coleus far surpass the early varieties. The American and English
florists have been very successful with these lovely plants. They offer
us this year:--
Beauty of Widmore, olive green, stained with pink, white edge.
Eclat, bronzy crimson, golden edge.
Acis, crimson, shaded carmine, golden edge.
Brilliant, bronzy crimson, broad golden margin.
Model, pinkish bronze, narrow golden border.
Princess Louise, reddish bronze, light yellow edge.
Golden Beauty, dark crimson, wavy and golden, fringed edge.
Setting Sun, rich bronze center, bright yellow edge.
Sunbeam, bronzy crimson, dark veins, yellow margin.
Unique, reddish crimson, deep golden border.
Of the older kinds the most noted are:--
Albert Victor, center purplish red, broad yellow margin.
Her Majesty, bronzy red center, greenish yellow margin.
Princess Royal, center reddish bronze, light yellow margin.
All of these make fine bedding-out plants; will grow in any rich sandy
loam; they are very tender, the first frost blackens their beauty; and
they require much heat in the winter. A slight chill is death to them.
I had fine plants of several kinds last winter, but a cold night in
December killed every one; green-house culture is needful for them.
_Achyranthus._
These plants rank next to the Coleus in richness of coloring, and
beauty of veining.
A. Acuminata has dark red leaves, marked with a salmon-red midrib,
and light crimson under-surface. It contrasts charmingly with
silvery-leaved plants.
Aureus Reticulatus has light green foliage, veined with yellow; stems
crimson, very effective.
Achyranthus Lindenii is of a bushy growth, foliage rich, deep crimson.
All of these are very tender, but make good house plants during the
winter.
_Alternantheras._
These are dwarf plants from Brazil, with leaves tinted with crimson,
pink, brown and green.
A. Amœna, crimson shaded to pink, and amber brown.
A. Amabilis, orange, crimson and dark green.
A. Leatifolia, foliage large, green, orange and crimson.
A. Versicolor, olive, crimson and chocolate.
These varieties are all used for edgings, and if they are closely cut,
the fresh growth assumes most brilliant hues. They will not outlive our
cold winters without protection.
_Caladiums._
One of the most beautiful of the Ornamental Foliaged Plants for
planting on the lawn, or as a center for oval or circular beds. They
will grow five feet high, with immense leaves of a light green color,
beautifully veined with various colors. They are bulbous roots, and
must be taken up with the first frosts.
The bulbs should be kept in sand in a dry temperature, not below 50°.
Caladium Chatini, green ground, red and white spots.
Duc de Nassau, clear red leaf, beautifully shaded.
Emperor Napoleon, brilliant crimson, with rich blood-red ribs.
C. Houlletii, spotted and veined, with various shades of green.
Madame Houllet, pink spots towards the center, with white spots on the
margin.
C. Sedeni, clouded, green and rose.
C. Splendens, rich crimson, shaded to a green margin.
C. Verschaffeltii, green ground, with pink spots.
The oldest and best known variety is the Caladium Esculeatum, the
leaves are of immense size, often two feet long and six inches broad.
It will thrive when the other tender varieties fail.
_Begonias._
This class are remarkable for the diversity of their markings, and
their rich crimson stems and edgings. Some of the leaves are of an
immense size, with broad silvery zones and snowy spots, which contrast
perfectly with the rich crimson-tinted, emerald-hued leaves.
Begonia Rex was the first variety; from it have sprung many rare kinds.
Begonia Hybrida Multiflora is valuable, especially for flowering during
the winter months, blooming almost continually; has small ovate, glossy
leaves, and a profusion of gracefully drooping racemes of rosy pink
blossoms.
_Cannas._
These are highly ornamental and effective; their broad, bright-hued
leaves resemble those of the Banana; and their flowers are produced in
racemes of scarlet, crimson, orange-red, and buff. They are tender, and
must be removed to a dry cellar as soon as the frost comes. In spring
start them in boxes, or in a warm climate, in the open border. They are
grown from seed, as directed in this chapter; but one is not certain of
procuring the best varieties. The bulbs can always be purchased at the
florists at a small price.
Atropurpurea has fine dark leaves, with orange-scarlet flowers.
Insignis, leaves banded and rayed with purples; flowers reddish-orange.
Premices de Nice, large foliage, bright yellow flowers, spotted with
salmon.
Rubra Superbissima, stalks crimson, leaves red, with a metallic shade,
flowers clear orange-red.
Nigricans, leaves green with a dark bronze shade, flowers bright
vermillion.
Ne plus ultra, leaves rich purple, flowers crimson-scarlet.
Musæfolia, foliage large and handsome.
_Silver Foliage Plants_
Are very desirable to plant in rows with the brightly hued Coleus,
Achyranthus, etc.
Artemisia Stelleriana is a pretty dwarf plant.
Cineraria Acanthifolia has velvety white leaves, and is the most
desirable of its kind.
Centaurea Gymnocarpa, very elegant, silvery leaves, with narrow,
pointed lobes.
Centaurea Candidissima has snowy white leaves, with a frosted
appearance.
Centaurea Clementei surpasses all its family in the elegance of its
foliage. Its young leaves are like velvet, and, when fully developed,
retain a silvery effect.
Gnaphalium Lanatum is of a dwarf, creeping habit, very desirable as a
bordering.
Gnaphalium Tomentosum has long, narrow, silvery foliage.
Glaucium Corniculatum has long, velvety leaves, of a silvery white hue;
leaves deeply pinnated; flowers of bell shape, orange yellow. It is a
novelty introduced last season, and is much admired.
Achyrocline Saundersonii is dwarf and densely branched, with pure white
leaves.
Coprosma Baneriana Variegata, a fine dwarf plant, with green oval
leaves, flecked and veined with yellow; is a novelty from New Zealand.
Sinclairea Discolor has large, oval leaves, bright green on the upper
side, but lined with a downy, snowy whiteness, producing a fine effect.
Wigandia Caraccasana is a stately, ornamental plant, whose large,
bright green leaves are covered with hairy spines. Its flowers are of
rich purple, borne on a large spike.
Fittonia Argyroneura is lovely for vases, hanging baskets, or
ferneries. Its leaves are of bright green, netted with pearly white
veins.
Acorus Gramineus Variegata is also desirable for baskets, etc. Its
narrow, grass-like leaves are margined with bright yellow.
Panicum Variegatum is also a grass, striped with white and rose; will
grow two or three feet in a season; is very elegant.
Abutilon Thompsonii is a prettily variegated shrub, with leaves marbled
with yellow.
Sedum Carneum Variegatum is of dwarf growth, with lance-shaped green
leaves, margined with white. Beautiful for rock work, but will not
endure the winter of the Northern States.
I cannot close a chapter on Variegated Plants, without mention of the
_Golden Bronze and the Silver Margined Geraniums_.
This class form most beautiful groups or beds, very effective either on
the lawn or in the garden.
Mrs. Pollock is one of the best known of these varieties, but Lady
Cullum surpasses it in the beauty of its zone.
Sir Robert Napier is said to possess the handsomest coloring of all.
Its zone is deeply indented with brilliant scarlet; flowers flesh
colored.
Sophie Dumaresque has a dark crimson zone, with broad yellow margin.
Black Prince, dark bronze zone, on a yellow ground.
Beauty of Oulton, broad yellow leaf, with a wide bronze zone.
Bronze Queen, yellowish bronze, with a dark chocolate zone; contrasts
perfectly with the silver-edged varieties.
Southern Belle, golden yellow ground, brilliant crimson zone.
E. G. Henderson, light yellow ground, fine dark bronzy zone.
Beauty of Calderdale, reddish brown zone on a golden green ground.
Crystal Palace Gem, golden margin, green center.
Perilla, broad dark zone.
Queen Victoria, rich maroon zone, golden yellow margin.
_Silver Margined Geraniums._
Cherub, silver margined, carmine zone, dwarf.
Burning Bush, sulphur white, with bronze zone of rosy crimson tint.
Beauty of Guestwick, zone bronze and rosy carmine, creamy white margin.
Castlemilk, pea-green center, well defined white edge, the whitest of
its class.
Countess of Warwick, broad white margin, zone dark bronze, banded with
pink.
May Queen, fine broad silver edge.
Kenilworth, white margin, rich crimson zone.
Mt. of Snow, pure white, broad edge.
Rainbow, silvery white margin, red zone.
Snow Storm, fine white edge.
Italia Unita, silver edge, dark zone shaded to carmine.
Little Pet, pink zone, silver edge.
Snow Drop, fine silvery white edge.
Perfection, broad white margin, fine.
_Variegated Ivy-Leaved Geraniums._
These flowers are very lovely, from their drooping growth, for vases,
rustic baskets and rock work. They grow readily from slips, are quite
tender, and must be housed during the winter months.
L’Elegante has deep pea-green leaves, with a clear white margin running
into pink. Its flowers are pure white, borne in large clusters. It is
unsurpassed for ornamental purposes, where vines are required.
Duke of Edinburgh is beautifully variegated, and of very vigorous
growth.
Holly Wreath has leaves of deep green, with a creamy margin, white
flowers.
Peltatum Floribunda, leaves bright glossy green, flowers of a rosy pink.
Fairy Bells, rich green leaves, flowers a light blush.
Elegans, bright rich foliage, mauve colored flowers.
All these Variegated Geraniums grow readily from cuttings, and will
bloom in almost any common garden soil. They show their bright markings
at better advantage if located so that they are shaded from the heat of
the noonday sun. Planted together, _en masse_, they produce a gorgeous
effect. All of them have brilliant colored flowers, but they are not
as large and handsome as those of the Zonale tribe. If planted on a
graduated mound, with a tall Zonale or Double Geranium for the apex,
they show in perfect contrast. They require watering at night, if the
season is hot and dry. They can be wintered in a warm window, or placed
in sandy soil, in boxes, and kept in a frost-proof cellar.
Of course the leaves will fall, but the roots will remain alive, and
will not require water more than once or twice all winter, unless they
are kept in a warm place near the furnace fire; but this is not a good
location for them; far better to keep them in a cool, dark cellar,
where vegetation can sleep quietly.