Galax Aphylla (_Wand Plant_).--The Heart-shaped Galax is a charming
little plant for rock-work. It is perennial, and does not lose the old
leaves till the new ones appear. A rich, light mould is required for
its growth, and its situation should be a somewhat shady one. Its
flowers are borne in July and August, on stalks 1 ft. or more high.
The plant may be increased by taking up a strong clump, shaking it
apart, and transplanting at once. (_See also_ "Shortia.")
Galega (_Goats Rue_).--Ornamental hardy perennials, requiring plenty
of room. They are readily increased by seed or division of the root,
and flower in July. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft.
Galium.--This hardy herbaceous plant blooms in July. It will grow in
any soil, and can be increased by division of the root. Height, 1 ft.
Gardenias.--Plant in a hothouse in fibrous peat mixed with a large
proportion of sand. Give plenty of heat and moisture during growth,
with a thin shade to keep off the sun's midday rays. Lower the
temperature as soon as growth is completed, and in the middle of
summer stand the plants out in the open for a week or two for the wood
to ripen. Height, 3 ft.
Garlic.--Plant small cloves from February to April in rows 9 in. apart
and 6 in. from each other in the row. Lift them when the leaves die
down, dry them in the sunshine, and store in an airy, cool shed.
Garrya Elliptica.--A hardy evergreen shrub, which is very suitable
in its early stages for pot-culture. A light, loamy soil is what it
likes. Cuttings taken in August and placed in sand under a hand-glass
will strike freely, but it is most readily increased by layers. In
October it bears graceful yellowish-green tassels of flowers from the
ends of its shoots. Height, 6 ft.
Gasteria Verrucosa.--This plant grows best in pots of turfy loam and
leaf-mould, to which has been added a little old mortar. Good drainage
is essential. Water freely in summer, and keep just moist in winter.
Keep the foliage clean by sponging. Give plenty of light, and during
warm weather turn the plants out of doors.
Gastrolobium.--Elegant evergreen shrubs which flower in April and May.
They are most suitable for adorning the greenhouse, and grow best in
a soil of loamy peat and sand. Cuttings of half-ripened wood planted
under glass will take root. Height, 2 ft.
Gaultheria.--Dwarf, creeping evergreen shrubs, having dark foliage
and producing white flowers in May, June, or July. They require to be
grown in peat, and are increased by layers. G. Procumbens is suitable
for rockeries, as it only grows to the height of 6 in. G. Shallon
attains the height of 2 ft.
Gaura Lindheimeri.--This free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant will
thrive in any light, rich soil. It bears elegant spikes of white
flowers from May onwards, followed by red bracts in September, and is
readily propagated by seeds. Height, 4 ft.
Gazania Splendens.--A showy greenhouse plant. It may be planted in the
open in warm positions, but will require protecting in winter. Grow it
in peat and loam. Cuttings will strike if placed in sand under glass.
It flowers in July. Height, 1 ft.
Genethyllis.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs which thrive best in sandy
loam and peat. Cuttings of the young wood planted in the same soil and
plunged in heat will take root. Their flowering season is in August.
Height, 3 ft.
Genista (_Broom_).--G. Canariense is an exceedingly ornamental and
free-flowering greenhouse shrub. It should be planted in a mixture of
loam, peat, and sand. Young cuttings inserted in sand under a glass
take root readily. It blooms in June. Height, 2 ft. Hardy species of
Genista may be placed in the front of shrubberies. They are increased
by seeds or by layers.
Gentians.--The herbaceous kinds do best in a light, rich soil, such as
loam and peat mixed with vegetable mould. The annuals are raised from
seed sown as soon as it is ripe; if left till spring before it is sown
it will probably not come up till the second year. The perennials are
increased by dividing the roots. Both of the latter kinds do best in
a dry, sandy soil. Gentiana Acaulis, or Gentianella, is very suitable
for edgings, or for rock-work; it is an evergreen creeper, and bears
large trumpet-shaped flowers of rich ultramarine blue. All the
Gentians need plenty of free air, and some of them moisture at the
roots. Bloom in July. Height, 4 in. to 2 ft.
Geranium Argentium(_Silvery Crane's-Bill_).--This hardy perennial
alpine is very effective on rock-work, especially in front of dark
stones; but provision must be made for its long tap roots. A rich,
deep loam suits it well. Its seeds germinate freely when sown in peat
and sand. Flowers are borne from May to July. Height, 6 in.
Geraniums.--Take cuttings in July or August, and let them he to
partially dry for twenty-four hours before planting. When rooted pot
them off in 60's, and keep them under glass during the winter at a
temperature of 55 degrees. If the cuttings are taken in September put
three or four slips in a 48-size pot. In the spring they should be
re-potted singly and hardened off as early as possible. A suitable
soil for them is made by mixing two parts of good turfy loam, one of
leaf-mould, one of well-decomposed cow-dung, and a good proportion
of silver sand. Bone dust is an excellent addition to the soil. Old
plants stripped of their leaves may be packed in sand during the
winter, and re-potted in spring.
Gerardia.--These hardy perennials form pyramidal bushes bearing
Pentstemon-like flowers, thickly set and varying in colour from
light pink to dark purple. A peat soil suits them best. They may be
propagated by cuttings placed under glass, but are best grown from
seed. July is their flowering season. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.
German Seeds.--These require to be sown in a cold frame in seed-pans,
in the greenhouse, or under a handglass, in good, rich compost,
composed of old turf, leaf-mould, some well-rotted manure, and silver
sand. The seeds should be sown thinly and watered sparingly. Sow early
in April, and transplant in the middle or end of May in rich soil.
Water occasionally with weak liquid manure.
Gesneria.--Handsome greenhouse perennials. They thrive in any light,
rich soil. Cuttings will strike readily either in sand or soil if
placed under glass in heat. They may also be raised from seed sown in
a temperature of 75 degrees in March or April. They flower in October.
Height, 18 in.
Geum.--Very handsome hardy perennials. They grow well in any light,
rich, loamy soil, and may be increased either by seeds or by dividing
the roots. G. Coccineum is extremely pretty. Flower in July. Height,
18 in.
Gherkins.--Sow the seed the first week in April in small pots, and
cover it lightly with fine soil. Plunge the pots in a hotbed covered
with a frame. When grown to nice little plants, remove them to a cold
frame to harden, and plant them out on a warm border towards the end
of May. When the fruit begins to form, give liquid manure twice a
week. For pickling they must be cut while small.
Gilia.--Extremely pretty and free-flowering hardy annuals, deserving
of a place in every garden. They are very suitable for small beds.
They should be sown in the open early in spring. G. Tricolour may be
sown in autumn. Bloom in July. Height, 1 ft.
Gillenia Trifoliata.--The Three-Leaved Gillenia is a hardy herbaceous
perennial which is very useful as a cut flower for the decoration of
vases, etc. It should be grown in large clumps, delights in a deep,
moist soil and partial shade, and may be propagated by dividing the
roots early in spring. It lasts in bloom from June to August. Height,
1 ft.
Gladiolus.--Dig the ground out to a depth of 1 ft. or 15 in.; put in
a layer of leaf-mould or rotted manure, and then 4 or 5 in. of earth
mixed with sand; insert the bulbs (6 in. from the surface and 9 in.
apart), cover them with 1 in. of sand, and fill up with earth. In
frosty weather cover with a thick layer of litter. Give plenty of
water when they begin to throw up their flower-stems. They may be
planted at any time between December and the end of March. If planted
late in the season, a depth of 3 or 4 in. is enough. The roots must
be kept dry in winter. They are increased by off-sets, taken when the
bulbs are removed from the ground after the leaves have turned yellow.
These should be planted at once in well-drained earth. If early
flowers are required, plant the old bulbs in pots (three to six bulbs
being placed in a 5-in. pot) any time between December and March. Give
them frame culture up to the second week in May, when they may be
transferred to the border. The flowers are invaluable for vase
decoration.
Glaucium Flavum Tricolor (_Hardy Horn Poppy_).--The large, brilliant,
orange-red flowers of this plant are very effective in the border, and
the bloom is continuous during the greater part of the summer. The
seed is rather slow to germinate, but when sown in the open ground in
autumn, it blooms from June to August; when sown in early spring it
flowers from July to September. Height, 2 ft.
Glaux Maritima (_Sea Milkweed_).--A pretty little hardy trailing plant
bearing flesh-coloured flowers in June and July. It grows in sandy
loam, and is raised from seed sown in spring. Height, 3 in.
Globe Amaranthus (_Gomphrena_).--This tender annual is well known for
its clover-like heads of everlasting flowers. It will grow in any rich
soil, but to produce really fine plants, much attention must be given
to shifting, watering, etc. Increased by seed in the same manner as
other tender annuals. Blooms in July. Height, 1 ft.