Artemisia Villarsii.--A hardy perennial whose graceful sprays of
finely-cut silvery foliage are very useful for mixing with cut
flowers. It may be grown from seed on any soil, and the roots bear
dividing; flowers from June to August. Height, 2 ft.
Artichokes.--The Jerusalem variety will flourish in light sandy soil
where few other things will grow. Plant the tubers in March, 6 in.
deep and 12 in. apart in rows 3 ft. asunder, and raise and store them
in November. The Globe variety is increased by off-sets taken in
March. Set them in deeply manured ground in threes, at least 2 ft.
apart and 4 ft. from row to row. Keep them well watered, and the
ground between them loose. They bear best when two or three years old.
Arum Lilies.--In warm districts these beautiful plants may be grown
in damp places out of doors, with a south aspect and a background of
shrubs, though, not being thoroughly hardy, it is safer to grow them
in pots. They may be raised from seed in boxes of leaf-mould and sand,
covering them with glass, and keeping them well watered. As soon as
they can be handled, transplant them into small pots, and pot on as
they increase in size. They may also be increased by the small shoots
that form round the base of the corms, using a compost of loam,
leaf-mould, and sand, with a little crushed charcoal. In June
transplant them in the open to ripen their corms, and in August
put them carefully into 6-in. pots filled with the above-mentioned
compost. They need at all times a good amount of moisture, especially
at such times as they are removed from one soil to another. At the
same time, it is necessary to procure good drainage. It is well to
feed them every other day with weak liquid manure. A temperature of 55
degrees throughout the winter is quite sufficient. When grown in the
open, the bulbs should be placed 3 in. below the soil, with a little
silver sand beneath each, and not be disturbed oftener than once in
four years. Three or four may stand a foot apart. Stake neatly the
flower stems. They flower from September to June.
Arums.--Remarkably handsome plants with fine foliage and curious
inflorescence more or less enclosed in a hooded spathe, which is
generally richly coloured and marked. They are hardy, easily grown in
any soil (a good sandy one is preferable), and flower in July. Height,
1-1/2 ft. (_See also_ "Calla.")
Asarum Europaeum.--This curious hardy perennial will grow in almost
any soil, and may be increased by taking off portions of the root
early in autumn, placing them in small pots till the beginning of
spring, then planting them out. It produces its purple flowers in May.
Height, 9 in.
Asclepias (_Swallow-Wort_).--Showy hardy perennials which require
plenty of room to develop. They may be grown from seed sown in August
or April, or can be increased by division of the root. A very light
soil is needed, and plenty of sunshine. Flowers are produced in July.
Height, 1 ft. to 2-1/2 ft.
Asparagus.--Sow in March or April, in rich light soil, allowing the
plants to remain in the seed-beds until the following spring; then
transplant into beds thoroughly prepared by trenching the ground 3 ft.
deep, and mixing about a foot thick of well-rotted manure and a good
proportion of broken bones and salt with the soil. The plants should
stand 2 ft. apart. In dry weather water liberally with liquid manure,
and fork in a good supply of manure every autumn. Give protection in
winter. The plants should not be cut for use until they become strong
and throw up fine grass, and cutting should not be continued late in
the season. April is a good time for making new beds. The roots should
be planted as soon as possible after they are lifted, as exposure to
the air is very injurious to them.
Asparagus Plumosus Nanus is a greenhouse variety, bearing fern-like
foliage. The seeds should be sown in slight heat early in spring.
Asparagus Sprengeri.--This delightful greenhouse climber is seen to
best advantage when suspended in a hanging basket, but it also makes
an attractive plant when grown on upright sticks, or on trellis-work.
It is useful for cut purposes, lasting a long time in this state,
and is fast taking the place of ferns, its light and elegant foliage
making it a general favourite. It should be grown in rich, light
mould, and may be propagated by seed or division. The roots should not
be kept too wet, especially in cold weather.
Asperula (_Woodruff_).--A. Azurea Setosa is a pretty, light-blue
hardy annual, which is usually sown in the open in autumn for early
flowering; if sown in the spring it will bloom in June or July. A.
Odorata is a hardy perennial, merely needing ordinary treatment. It is
serviceable for perfuming clothes, etc. Asperulas thrive in a moist
soil, and grow well under the shade of trees. Height, 1 ft.
Asphalte Paths.--Sift coarse gravel so as to remove the dusty portion,
and mix it with boiling tar in the proportion of 25 gallons to each
load. Spread it evenly, cover the surface with a layer of spar,
shells, or coarse sand, and roll it in before the tar sets.
Asphodelus.--Bold hardy herbaceous plants; fine for borders; will grow
in common soil, and flower between May and August. Increased by young
plants taken from the roots. Height, 2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft.
Aspidistra.--This greenhouse herbaceous perennial is a drawing-room
palm, and is interesting from the fact that it produces its flowers
beneath the surface of the soil. It thrives in any fairly good mould,
but to grow it to perfection it should be accommodated with three
parts loam, one part leaf-mould, and one part sand. It will do in any
position, but is best shaded from the midday sun. It may be increased
by suckers, or by dividing the roots in April, May, or June. Supply
the plant freely with water, especially when root-bound. When dusty,
the leaves should be sponged with tepid milk and water--a teacup of
the former to a gallon of the latter. This imparts a gloss to the
leaves. A poor sandy soil is more suitable for the variegated kind, as
this renders the variegation more constant. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.
Asters.--This splendid class of half-hardy annuals has been vastly
improved by both French and German cultivators. Speaking generally,
the flowers of the French section resemble the chrysanthemum, and
those of the German the paeony. They all delight in a very rich, light
soil, and need plenty of room from the commencement of their growth.
The first sowing may be made in February or March, on a gentle hotbed,
followed by others at about fourteen days' interval. The seeds are
best sown in shallow drills and lightly covered with soil, then
pressed down by a board. Prick out the seedlings 2 in. apart, and
plant them out about the middle of May in a deeply-manured bed. If
plant food be given it must be forked in lightly, as the Aster is very
shallow-rooting, and it should be discontinued when the buds appear.
For exhibition purposes remove the middle bud, mulch the ground with
some good rotten soil from an old turf heap, and occasionally give a
little manure water.
Astilbe.--Ornamental, hardy herbaceous perennials, with large handsome
foliage, and dense plumes of flowers, requiring a peaty soil for their
successful cultivation. They may be grown from seed sown in July or
August, or may be increased by division. They flower at the end of
July. The varieties vary in height, some growing as tall as 6 ft.
Astragalus Alpinus.--A hardy perennial bearing bluish-purple flowers.
It will grow in any decent soil, and can be propagated from seed sown
in spring or autumn, or by division. Height, 6 ft.
Astragalus Hypoglottis.--A hardy deciduous trailing plant, producing
purple flowers in July. Sow the seed early in spring on a moderate
hotbed, and plant out into any garden soil. Height, 3 in.
Astragalus Lotoides.--This pretty little trailer is of the same height
as A. Hypoglottis, and merely requires the same treatment. It flowers
in August.
Astrantia.--This herbaceous plant is quite hardy, and will thrive in
any good garden soil, producing its flowers in June and July. Seed may
be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.
Atragene Austriaca.--Handsome, hardy climbers, which may be grown in
any garden soil. They flower in August, and are increased by layers or
by cuttings under glass. Height, 8 ft.
Atriplex.--Straggling hardy annuals of very little beauty. Will grow
in any soil if sown in spring, and only require ordinary attention.
Flower in July. Height, 5 ft.