Chrysanthemum.--The Chrysanthemum will grow in any good mould, a
naturally good soil being often preferable to an artificial one. Where
the ground is not in good condition a compost may be made of one-half
rich loam and one-fourth each of well-rotted manure and leaf-mould,
with sufficient sand to keep it porous. Cuttings taken in November or
December make the finest exhibition plants. Pot them singly in 2-in.
or 3-in. pots; stand them on coal ashes in a cold frame, and re-pot
them in March or April in 6-in. pots, making the soil moderately firm.
When they attain the height of 6 in. pinch off the extreme point of
the shoot, which will induce the growth of side-shoots. Shift the
plants from time to time into larger pots, until at the end of May
they receive their final shift into 10-in. pots, after which they
must not on any account be stopped. In June they may be placed in a
sheltered and partially shaded part of the open border, standing the
pots on pieces of slate to prevent the ingress of worms. Syringe the
leaves each day and give the roots a liberal supply of liquid manure.
When the flower-buds begin to show colour, discontinue the manure
water. Thin out the flower-buds, leaving two or three only of the
strongest on each stem. At the end of September they must be removed
to a cool greenhouse to flower. Where there is no greenhouse a canvas
structure may be erected to protect them from the cold. Good plants
for the border may be raised from cuttings in March or April. These
should be kept close in a frame until rooted, then gradually hardened
off, and planted in rich soil. Syringing with soot-water twice a week
until the flower-buds appear will darken the leaves and deepen the
colour of the flowers.
Chrysogonum Virginianum.--A free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant,
best grown in loam and peat. Its deep-golden, star-shaped flowers are
produced from June to September. Cuttings of ripened wood planted in
sand and subjected to moist heat will strike. It may also be increased
by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft.
Cichorium Intybus.--This is a hardy herbaceous plant producing blue
flowers in July. It will grow in any soil and needs no special
treatment. Seeds may be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 2 ft.
Cimcifuga.--These hardy herbaceous plants will flourish in any good
garden soil and are easily raised from seed, or they may be increased
by dividing the roots. Various species produce their flowers from May
to September. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Cinerarias.--These grow well in a soil composed of equal parts of rich
loam, leaf-mould, and thoroughly rotted horse-dung, liberally mixed
with sharp sand. They are increased by seed, cuttings, or off-sets.
The seed should be sown as soon as it is ripe and covered with the
lightest layer of the finest soil; or it may be sown during March on a
slight hotbed. Keep the young plants shaded from the sun, and as soon
as they can be handled put them into 3-in. pots. Return them to the
hotbed and keep them shaded till established, then gradually harden
them off, and towards the end of May they may be planted in the open,
choosing a sheltered situation. The first flower-stem should be cut
out close to the bottom, but the side-shoots may either be reduced
or not. At the end of September place them in a cool frame to bloom
during the following month. They require to be well supplied with
manure water. As soon as the plants have done flowering, cut them
down, and keep them well supplied with water, and in March shake them
out of their pots and plant each sucker separately. Other sowings may
be made in April and May. To obtain cuttings, when the plants have
flowered cut them down, and when they have again grown large enough
take the cuttings and plant them in pots filled with the above
compost, putting a layer of silver sand on the top. When the cuttings
have made shoots 3 in. long, pinch off the tops to make the plants
grow bushy. Re-pot when the roots are well grown, but before they get
matted, and give occasionally a little liquid manure. Keep a good
look-out for green fly, and as soon as this nuisance appears fumigate
the plants with tobacco paper. An excess of fumigation is injurious.
Those that have bloomed in pots may be planted in the north border of
the garden in July, where they may shed their seed, from which early
plants will be produced. They may also be increased by off-sets. If
the old plants are cut down and kept well watered they will throw
up suckers, which may be separated and potted off into thumb pots,
transplanting into larger ones when required. They must _always_ be
kept shaded from the sun. A cool frame suits them in summer, and being
nearly hardy, should never be subjected to a forcing temperature,
sufficient heat to keep away frost and damp being all that is
necessary.
Cinnamon Plant.--This is a stove or greenhouse plant, and requires a
loam and peat soil. Cuttings of the ripe wood strike freely.
Cissus Orientalis.--Useful climbing plants which delight in a light,
rich soil. They are increased by cuttings planted under glass and kept
in a gentle, moist heat.
Cistus (_Rock Rose_).--A compost of loam and peat suits these
beautiful evergreen shrubs. They may be increased by layers, ripe
cuttings covered with a hand-glass, or seed. Though the plants are
pretty hardy it is advisable to afford them protection during severe
frosts. June is their flowering month. Height, 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Citrus Japonica.--A greenhouse evergreen tree, requiring a rich loamy
soil. Very little water should be given it while in a growing state.
It is generally budded on an orange or lemon tree and plunged in a
bottom-heat. June is its flowering season. Height, 5 ft.
Cladanthus.--The annuals may be sown in the open in April to flower in
July. The greenhouse evergreens may be propagated by cuttings under
glass. These produce flowers in June.
Clarkia.--These hardy annuals make a pretty display in the borders
during summer. Seed ripens plentifully, and merely requires sowing in
the open in March, or in September if protected in winter. The bloom
lasts from June to September. Height, 18 in.
Claytonia Sibirica.--A hardy herbaceous plant which yields light
yellow flowers in June. It is not particular as to soil, and may be
raised from seed sown either in autumn or spring. It stands division
of the root. Height, 4 ft.
Clematis (_Virgin's Bower_).--These plants like a dry situation. They
will grow in smoky districts, and may be increased by cuttings of firm
side-shoots under a glass in summer or by layers in September. With
the protection of a greenhouse they come into flower early in spring.
They are the most beautiful of all flowering hardy climbers. The stove
and greenhouse varieties are best planted in loam and peat, though
they will thrive in any light soil. Any good garden soil suits the
hardy kinds. The herbaceous varieties are increased by dividing the
roots early in spring. They bloom at various periods. After they have
ceased to flower, the Jackmanni and Viticella sections should be cut
down to within 9 or 12 in. of the ground. The Patens and Florida
do not require pruning; those of the Lanuginosa should be cut back
moderately, but not too close. A good dressing of leaf-mould and
manure should be dug in about November. Heights vary from 2 ft. to 20
ft. (_See also_ "Traveller's Joy.")
Cleome.--The species of this genus are very pretty and free flowering,
some being half-hardy climbers notable for their foliage. They like
a rich, light soil. Cuttings of the stove kinds root freely under a
glass. Some of the annual species require to be sown in a hotbed frame
or in a hot-house, then potted off and placed with tender annuals. The
hardier ones may be sown on a hotbed, and afterwards planted out in a
sheltered position. They flower in May, June, and July. Heights vary
from 6 in. to 8 ft.
Clethra Alnifolia.--This hardy deciduous shrub bears in September
deliciously scented pure white flowers on the side-shoots of the
previous year's growth. It needs a light soil and a dry, sunny
situation. It may be propagated by cuttings placed under glass in
sandy loam, or by suckers taken when the leaves have fallen, but is
more generally increased by layers. Height, 3 ft.
Clianthus.--A genus of very elegant, free-flowering, evergreen
greenhouse shrubs. They flourish in the border of the conservatory (or
against a south wall if protected from cold) in an equal mixture of
loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings root freely in the same soil under
glass. Seed sown early in spring produce flowers the first year, in
May. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft.
Clintonia.--Very pretty half-hardy annuals; useful for beds, edging,
pots, or rock-work. They produce an abundance of Lobelia-like flowers
in August. Sow the seed in the open in spring. Height, 6 in.
Clitoria.--A greenhouse climbing or trailing plant, which thrives in a
mixture of loam, peat, and sand. Cuttings will strike in heat, but it
is more readily grown from seed.
Clivias (_Caffre Lilies_).--Most beautiful evergreen plants for
the greenhouse. The soil most suitable for them is a compost of
leaf-mould, loam, and sand. Give a liberal supply of water when in
full growth, but from September to February keep them only moderately
moist. Shade from strong sunshine, and keep the temperature at from 60
to 70 degrees. They will not bear much disturbance. Seed may be sown
in bottom-heat early in spring, or they may be increased by suckers.
Cobæa Scandens.--This rapid climber is well adapted for the
conservatory, but it will thrive in the open air if the root is
protected during the winter. If planted against a rough wall its
tendrils will catch in the crevices and support it without any
assistance. It requires plenty of room and a rather poor soil,
otherwise it runs to leaf instead of to bloom. The tops of the shoots
should be constantly pinched off, to induce thickness of growth.
Cuttings of firm side-shoots taken in summer will root under glass in
a little moist heat; but it is best raised from seed, sown sideways,
in a hotbed in March. Its blue and purple flowers are produced in
August. Height, 10 ft. to 20 ft.