_Flower Garden and Pleasure Grounds._--Wherever there is a flower garden
of considerable magnitude, and in a separate situation, it should be
constructed on principles of its own. The great object must be to
exhibit to advantage the graceful forms and glorious hues of flowering
plants and shrubs. Two varieties of flower gardens have chiefly
prevailed in Britain. In one the ground is turf, out of which
flower-beds, of varied patterns, are cut; in the other the flower-beds
are separated by gravel walks, without the introduction of grass. When
the flower garden is to be seen from the windows, or any other elevated
point of view, the former is to be preferred; but where the surface is
irregular, and the situation more remote, and especially where the
beauty of flowers is mainly looked to, the choice should probably fall
on the latter.
The flower garden may include several different compartments. Thus, for
example, there is the "Rock Garden," which should consist of variously
grouped masses of large stones, those which are remarkable for being
figured by water-wearing, or containing petrifactions or impressions, or
showing something of natural stratification, being generally preferred.
In the cavities between the stones, filled with earth, alpine or
trailing plants are inserted, and also some of the choicest flowers. In
proper situations, a small pool of water may be introduced for the
culture of aquatic plants. In these days the rock-garden is a most
important feature, and it requires a good deal of care and skill to
arrange the boulders, walks, pools or streams in natural and artistic
fashion. The selection of suitable alpines, perennials and shrubs and
trees also necessitates considerable knowledge on the part of the
gardener. A separate compartment laid out on some regular plan is often
set apart for roses, under the name of the "Rosery." A moist or rather a
shady border, or a section of the pleasure ground supplied with bog
earth, may be devoted to what is called the "American Garden," which, as
it includes the gorgeous rhododendrons and azaleas, forms one of the
grandest features of the establishment during the early summer, while if
properly selected the plants are effective as a garden of evergreens at
all seasons. The number of variegated and various-coloured hardy shrubs
is now so great that a most pleasant plot for a "Winter Garden" may be
arrayed with plants of this class, with which may be associated hardy
subjects which flower during that season or very early spring, as the
Christmas rose, and amongst bulbs the crocus and snowdrop. Later the
spring garden department is a scene of great attraction; and some of the
gardens of this character, as those of Cliveden and Belvoir, are among
the most fascinating examples of horticultural art. The old-fashioned
stereotyped flower garden that one met with almost everywhere is rapidly
becoming a thing of the past, and grounds are now laid out more in
accordance with their natural disposition, their climatic conditions and
their suitability for certain kinds of plants. Besides the features
already mentioned there are now bamboo gardens, Japanese gardens, water
gardens and wall gardens, each placed in the most suitable position and
displaying its own special features.
[Illustration: FIG. 47.--Turf-Beater.]
_Lawns._--In the formation of lawns the ground must be regularly broken
up so that it may settle down evenly, any deep excavations that may have
to be filled in being very carefully rammed down to prevent subsequent
settlement. The ground must also be thoroughly cleared of the roots of
all coarse, perennial weeds, and be worked to a fine tilth ready for
turfing or sowing. The more expeditious method is of course to lay down
turf, which should be free from weeds, and is cut usually in strips of 1
ft. wide, 3 ft. long, and about 1 in. in thickness. This must be laid
very evenly and compactly, and should then be beaten down firmly with
the implement called a turf-beater (fig. 47). When there is a large
space to cover, it is much the cheaper plan to sow the lawn with
grass-seeds, and equally effective, though the sward takes much longer
to thicken. It is of the utmost importance that a good selection of
grasses be made, and that pure seeds should be obtained (see GRASS AND
GRASSLAND). The following sorts can be recommended, the quantities given
being those for sowing an acre of ground:--
_Cynosurus cristatus_--Crested Dog's-tail 6 lb.
_Festuca duriuscula_--Hard Fescue 3 lb.
_Festuca ovina_--Sheep's Fescue 3 lb.
_Lolium perenne tenue_ 18 lb.
_Poa nemoralis sempervirens_--Evergreen Meadow-grass 3 lb.
_Poa trivialis_--Trivial Meadow-grass 3 lb.
_Trisetum flavescens_--Yellow Oat-grass 2 lb.
_Trifolium repens_--Dutch Clover 6 lb.
The seeds should be thoroughly mixed, and very evenly sown, after which
the surface should be raked over to bury them, and then rolled down
while dry so as to finish it off smooth and level. When thus sown, lawns
require to be promptly weeded. During the growing season established
lawns should be mown at least once a week. They should be occasionally
rolled, and towards autumn they require frequent sweepings to remove
worm-casts.
HARDY ANNUALS.--Annual plants are those which grow up from seed,
flower, ripen seed, and die in the course of one season--one year.
They are useful in the mixed garden, for though in some cases they are
of short duration, many of them are possessed of much beauty of hue
and elegance of form. Annuals may be divided into three classes: the
_hardy_, which are sown at once in the ground they are to occupy; the
_half-hardy_, which succeed best when aided at first by a slight hot
bed, and then transplanted into the open air; and the _tender_, which
are kept in pots, and treated as greenhouse or stove plants, to which
departments they properly belong. Some of the more popular annuals,
hardy and half-hardy, have been very much varied as regards habit and
the colour of the flowers, and purchases may be made in the seed shops
of such things as China asters, stocks, Chinese and Indian pinks,
larkspurs, phloxes and others, amongst which some of the most
beautiful of the summer flowers may be found.
The hardy annuals may be sown in the open ground during the latter
part of March or beginning of April, as the season may determine, for
the weather should be dry and open, and the soil in a free-working
condition before sowing is attempted. In favourable situations and
seasons some of the very hardiest, as _Silene pendula_, Saponaria,
Nemophila, Gilia, &c., may be sown in September or October, and
transplanted to the beds or borders for very early spring flowering.
Those sown in spring begin to flower about June. The plants, if left
to flower where they are sown, should be thinned out while young, to
give them space for proper development. It is from having ample room
that pricked out transplanted seedlings often make the finest plants.
The soil should be rich and light.
The half-hardy series are best sown in pots or pans under glass in
mild heat, in order to accelerate germination. Those of them which are
in danger of becoming leggy should be speedily removed to a cooler
frame and placed near the glass, the young plants being pricked off
into fresh soil, in other pots or pans or boxes, as may seem best in
each case. All the plants must be hardened off gradually during the
month of April, and may generally be planted out some time in May,
earlier or later according to the season.
The class of tender annuals, being chiefly grown for greenhouse
decoration, should be treated much the same as soft-wooded plants,
being sown in spring, and grown on rapidly in brisk heat, near the
glass, and finally hardened off to stand in the greenhouse when in
flower.
We add a select list of some of the more distinct annuals desirable
for general cultivation as decorative plants for the open air:--
_Acroclinium roseum_: half-hardy, 1 ft., rose-pink or white;
everlasting.
_Agrostis pulchella_: hardy, 6 in.; a most graceful grass for
bouquets.
_Amberboa moschata atropurpurea_ (Sweet Sultan): hardy, 1(1/2) ft.,
purple: musk-scented.
_Antirrhinum majus_ (Snapdragon): hardy, 6 in. to 2 ft., white, yellow
and red. This plant is perennial, but is best treated as an annual.
_Arnebia cornuta_: hardy, 1(1/2) to 2 ft. yellow.
_Bartonia aurea_: hardy, 2 ft., golden yellow; showy and free.
_Brachycome iberidifolia_: half-hardy, 1 ft., blue or white with dark
disk.
_Calendula officinalis Meteor_: hardy, 1 ft., orange striped with
yellow.
_Calliopsis_ or _Coreopsis bicolor (tinctoria)_: hardy, 2 to 3 ft.,
yellow and chestnut-brown.
_Calliopsis_ or _Coreopsis Drummondii_: hardy, 1 to 2 ft., golden
yellow with red disk.
_Callistephus hortensis_ or _chinensis_ (the China aster): half-hardy,
6 in. to 1(1/2) ft.; there arc several groups of various colours. The
species itself is a very handsome plant.
_Campanula Loreyi_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., purplish-lilac or white.
_Campanula macrostyla_: hardy, 1 to 2 ft., purple, beautifully veined.
_Carnations_, _Marguerite_: half-hardy, 9 to 12 in., colours various.
_Centaurea Cyanus_: hardy, 3 ft., blue, purple, pink or white; showy.
_Centranthus macrosiphon_: hardy, 1(1/2) to 2 ft., rosy-carmine.
_Centranthus ruber_ (known as Pretty Betsy and Red Valerian): hardy, 2
to 3 ft., red.
_Chrysanthemum carinatum_: a charming half-hardy annual, 2 to 3 ft.
high, with several varieties, of which C. Burridgeanum with zones of
white, crimson and yellow is best.
_C. coronarium_, a yellow-flowered species requires similar treatment.
_Clarkia pulchella_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., rosy-purple; some varieties
very handsome.
_Collinsia bicolor_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., white and purple; pretty.
_Collinsia verna_: hardy, 1 ft., white and azure; sow as soon as ripe.
_Convolvulus tricolor atroviolacea_: hardy, 1 ft., white, blue and
yellow. This is the _Convolvulus minor_ of gardens.
_Cosmos bipinnatus_: half-hardy, 3 ft., rose, purple, white; requires
sunny spots.
_Dianthus chinensis_ (Indian pink): half-hardy, 6 in. to 1 ft.,
various shades of red and white.
_Delphinium Ajacis_ and _Delphinium Consolida_ (Larkspurs): hardy, 3
ft., various colours.
_Erysimum Peroffskianum_: hardy, 2 ft., deep orange; in erect racemes.
_Eschscholtzia californica_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., yellow with saffron
eye.
_Eschscholtzia crocea flore-pleno_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., orange yellow;
double.
_Eutoca viscida_: hardy, 2 ft., bright blue, with white hairy centre.
_Gaillardia Drummondii (picta)_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., crimson,
yellow margin.
_Gilia achilleaefolia_: hardy, 2 ft., deep blue; in large globose
heads.
_Godetia Lindleyana_: hardy, 2 to 3 ft., rose-purple, with crimson
spots.
_Godetia Whitneyi_: hardy, 1 ft., rosy-red, with crimson spots. The
variety _Lady Albemarle_ is wholly crimson, and very handsome.
_Gypsophila elegans_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., pale rose; branched very
gracefully.
_Helianthus cucumerifolius_: hardy, 3 to 4 ft., golden yellow, black
disk; branching, free and bold without coarseness.
_Helichrysum bracteatum_: half-hardy, 2 ft., the incurved crimson,
rose and other forms very handsome.
_Hibiscus Trionum (africanus)_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., cream colour, dark
purple centre.
_Iberis umbellata_ (Candytuft): hardy, 1 ft., white, rose, purple,
crimson. Some new dwarf white and flesh-coloured varieties are very
handsome.
_Kaulfussia amelloides_: hardy, 1 ft., blue or rose; the var.
kermesina is deep crimson.
_Kochia scoparia_ (Belvedere or lawn cypress): hardy, graceful green
foliage, turning purple in autumn.
_Koniga maritima_ (Sweet Alyssum): hardy, 1 ft., white; fragrant,
compact.
_Lathyrus odoratus_ (Sweet Pea): hardy; there are two races, dwarf and
tall, the latter--far and away the most beautiful--requires support;
various colours; numerous immensely popular forms.
_Lavatera trimestris_: hardy, 3 ft., pale-rose, showy malvaceous
flowers.
_Leptosiphon densiflorus_: hardy in light soil, 1 ft., purplish or
rosy-lilac.
_Leptosiphon roseus_: hardy in light soil, 6 in., delicate rose; fine
in masses.
_Linaria bipartita splendida_: hardy, 1 ft., deep purple.
_Linum grandiflorum_: hardy, 1 ft., splendid crimson; var. roseum is
pink.
_Lupinus luteus_: hardy, 2 ft., bright yellow, fragrant.
_Lupinus mutabilis Cruickshanksii_: hardy, 4 ft., blue and yellow;
changeable.
_Lupinus nanus_: hardy, 1 ft., bluish-purple; abundant flowering.
_Lychnis Coeli-rosa_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., rosy-purple, with pale centre;
pretty.
_Lychnis oculata cardinalis_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., rosy-crimson; very
brilliant.
_Malcolmia maritima_ (Virginian Stock): hardy, 6 in., lilac, rose or
white.
_Malope trifida_: hardy, 3 ft., rich glossy purplish-crimson; showy.
_M. grandiflora_ is a finer plant in every way.
_Matthiola annua_ (Ten-week Stock and its variety, the intermediate
stock): half-hardy, 1 to 2 ft., white, rose and red.
_Matthiola graeca_ (Wallflower-lvd. Stock): hardy, 1 ft., various as
in Stock.
_Mesembryanthemum tricolor_: half-hardy, 3 in., pink and crimson, with
dark centre.
_Mimulus cupreus_: half-hardy, 6 in., coppery red, varying
considerably.
_Mimulus luteus tigrinus_: half-hardy, 1 ft., yellow spotted with red;
var. _duplex_ has hose-in-hose flowers.
_Mirabilis Jalapa_: half-hardy, 3 ft., various colours; flowers
evening-scented.
_Nemesia floribunda_: hardy, 1 ft., white and yellow; pretty and
compact.
_Nemophila insignis_: hardy, 6 in., azure blue, with white centre.
_Nemophila maculata_: hardy, 6 in., white, with violet spots at the
edge.
_Nicotiana affinis_: half-hardy, 2 to 3 ft., white.
_Nicotiana Sanderae_: half-hardy, 2 to 3 ft., white, crimson, scarlet,
&c.
_Nigella hispanica_: hardy, 1(1/2) ft., pale blue, white or dark
purple.
_Oenothera odorata_: hardy, 2 to 3 ft., yellow; fragrant.
_Omphalodes linifolia_ (Venus's Navelwort): hardy, 1 ft., white.
_Papaver Rhoeas flore-pleno_: hardy, 2 ft., scarlet and other colours;
showy.
_Papaver somniferum flore-pleno_: hardy, 3 ft., white, lilac, rose,
&c.; petals sometimes fringed.
_Petunia violacea hybrida_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., various colours;
sow in heat.
_Pharbitis hispida_: hardy, 6 ft., various; the many-coloured twining
_Convolvulus major_.
_Phlox Drummondii_: half-hardy, 1 ft., various colours.
_Platystemon californicus_: hardy, 1 ft., sulphur yellow; neat and
distinct.
_Portulaca splendens_: half-hardy, 6 in., crimson, rose, yellow,
white, &c., single and double; splendid prostrate plants for sunny
rockwork.
_Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_: half-hardy, 1 ft.; grown for its golden
foliage, and much used for bedding.
_Reseda odorata_ (Mignonette): hardy, 1 ft., greenish, but exquisitely
fragrant; there are some choice new sorts.
_Rhodanthe maculata_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., rosy-pink or white;
larger flower-heads than the next.
_Rhodanthe Manglesii_: half-hardy, 1 ft., rosy-pink; a drooping
everlasting.
_Salpiglossis sinuata_: half-hardy, 2 to 3 ft., yellow, purple,
crimson, &c.; much varied and beautifully veined.
_Sanvitalia procumbens flore-pleno_: half-hardy, 6 in., golden yellow;
procumbent.
_Saponaria calabrica_: hardy, 6 to 8 in., bright rose pink or white;
continuous blooming, compact-growing.
_Scabiosa atropurpurea_: hardy, 1 to 2 ft., rose, white, lilac,
crimson, &c.
_Schizanthus pinnatus_: hardy, 1 to 2 ft., purple-lilac, prettily
blotched; curiously lobed flowers.
_Schizopetalon Walkeri_: hardy, 1 ft., white, sweet-scented at night;
curiously fringed petals.
_Senecio elegans_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., white, rose or purple; the
various double forms are showy.
_Silene pendula_: hardy, 1 ft., bright rose pink; very showy in
masses; var. _compacta_ forms close dense tufts.
_Silene Pseudo-Atocion_: hardy, 1 ft., rose pink; free-flowering.
_Specularia Speculum_: hardy, 6 in., reddish-violet; free-flowering.
_Sphenogyne speciosa_: half-hardy, 1 ft., orange-yellow, with black
ring around the disk.
_Statice Bonduelli_ (Sea Lavender): half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., yellow.
_S. Limonum_: bluish purple.
_S. sinuata_: white, blue, yellow.
_S. Suworowi_: lilac.
_Tagetes signata_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., golden yellow; continuous
blooming, with elegant foliage. The French and African marigolds,
favourites of some, are allied to this.
_Tropaeolum aduncum_ (Canary creeper): half-hardy, 10 ft., yellow,
fringed; an elegant climber.
_Tropaeolum majus_ (the nasturtium of gardens): hardy. There are two
races, dwarf and tall, various shades of red and yellow.
_Waitzia aurea_: half-hardy, 1(1/2) ft., golden yellow; a showy
everlasting.
_Xeranthemum annuum flore-pleno_: hardy, 2 ft., lilac-purple;
floriferous.
_Zinnia elegans_: half-hardy, 1 to 2 ft., various colours.
HARDY BIENNIALS.--Biennials live through one winter period. They
require to be sown in the summer months, about June or July, in order
to get established before winter; they should be pricked out as soon
as large enough, and should have ample space so as to become hardy and
stocky. They should be planted in good soil, but not of too
stimulating a character. Those that are perfectly hardy are best
planted where they are to flower in good time during autumn. This
transplanting acts as a kind of check, which is rather beneficial than
otherwise. Of those that are liable to suffer injury in winter, as the
Brompton and Queen Stocks, a portion should be potted and wintered in
cold frames ventilated as freely as the weather will permit.
The number of biennials is not large, but a few very desirable garden
plants, such as the following, occur amongst them:--
_Agrostemma coronaria_ (Rose Campion): hardy, 1(1/2) ft., bright
rose-purple or rose and white.
_Beta Cicla variegata_: hardy, 2 ft., beautifully coloured leaves and
midribs, crimson, golden, &c.
_Campanula Medium_ (Canterbury Bell): hardy, 2 ft., blue, white, rose,
&c. The double-flowered varieties of various colours are very
handsome.
_Campanula Medium calycanthema_: hardy, 2 ft., blue or white;
hose-in-hose flowered.
_Catananche coerulea_: hardy, 2 to 3 ft., blue or white.
_Celsia cretica_: hardy, 4 to 5 ft., yellow, with two dark spots near
centre; in spikes.
_Cheiranthus Cheiri_ (Wallflower): hardy, 1(1/2) to 2 ft., red,
purple, yellow, &c.; really a perennial but better as a biennial.
_Coreopsis grandiflora_: hardy, 2 to 3 ft., bright yellow; the finest
member of the genus.
_Dianthus barbatus_ (Sweet William): hardy, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., crimson,
purple, white or parti-coloured.
_Dianthus chinensis_ (Indian Pink): half-hardy, 1 ft., various; flower
earlier if treated as biennials; must be protected from frost.
_Digitalis purpurea_ (Foxglove): hardy, 3 to 5 ft., rosy-purple or
white; beautifully spotted; the variety called _gloxinioides_ has
regular, erect flowers.
_Echium pomponium_: hardy, 4 ft., rosy-pink.
_Hedysarum coronarium_ (French Honeysuckle): hardy, 2 to 3 ft.,
scarlet or white; fragrant.
_Hesperis tristis_ (Night-scented Rocket): hardy, 3 ft., dull
purplish; fragrant at night.
_Lunaria biennis_ (Honesty): hardy, 2 to 3 ft., purple; the silvery
dissepiment attractive among everlastings.
_Matthiola incana_ (two groups, the Brompton and the Queen stocks):
hardy, 2 to 2(1/2) ft., white, red and purple.
_Meconopsis._ Charming members of the poppy family, of which _M.
aculeata_, purple; _M. grandis_, purple; _M. heterophylla_,
coppery-orange; _M. nepalensis_, golden yellow; _M. integrifolia_,
yellow; _M. simplicifolia_, violet purple, are grown with care in
sheltered spots, and in rich, very gritty soil.
_Michauxia campanuloides_, a remarkable bell flower, 3 to 8 ft. high,
white tinged purple. Requires rich loam in warm sheltered spots.
_Oenothera biennis_ and _O. Lamarckiana_ (Evening primrose): hardy, 5
ft., bright yellow; large.
_Scabiosa caucasica_: hardy, 3 ft., blue, white.
_Silene compacta_: half-hardy, 3 to 6 inches, bright pink; clustered
as in S. Armeria.
_Verbascum Blattaria_: hardy, 3 to 4 ft., yellowish, with purple hairs
on the filaments; in tall spikes.
HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS.--This term includes not only those
fibrous-rooted plants of herbaceous habit which spring up from the
root year after year, but also those old-fashioned subjects known as
florists' flowers, and the hardy bulbs. Some of the most beautiful of
hardy flowering plants belong to this class. When the length of the
flowering season is considered, it will be obvious that it is
impossible to keep up the show of a single border or plot for six
months together, since plants, as they are commonly arranged, come
dropping into and out of flower one after another; and even where a
certain number are in bloom at the same time, they necessarily stand
apart, and so the effects of contrast, which can be perceived only
among adjacent objects, are lost. To obviate this defect, it has been
recommended that ornamental plants should be formed into four or five
separate suites of flowering, to be distributed over the garden. Not
to mention the more vernal flowers, the first might contain the flora
of May; the second that of June; the third that of July; and the
fourth that of August and the following months. These compartments
should be so intermingled that no particular class may be entirely
absent from any one quarter of the garden.
Before beginning to plant, it would be well to construct tables or
lists of the plants, specifying their respective times of flowering,
colours and heights. To diversify properly and mingle well together
the reds, whites, purples, yellows and blues, with all their
intervening shades, requires considerable taste and powers of
combination; and ascertained failures may be rectified at the proper
time the next season. The one great object aimed at should be to
present an agreeable contrast--a floral picture; and, as at particular
seasons a monotony of tint prevails, it is useful at such times to be
in possession of some strong glaring colours. White, for instance,
should be much employed in July, to break the duller blues and purples
which then preponderate. Orange, too, is very effective at this
season. On the other hand, yellows are superabundant in autumn, and
therefore reds and blues should then be sought for. The
flower-gardener should have a small nursery, or reserve garden, for
the propagation of the finer plants, to be transferred into the
borders as often as is required.
As a rule, all the fibrous-rooted herbaceous plants flourish in good
soil which has been fairly enriched with manure, that of a loamy
character being the most suitable. Many of them also grow
satisfactorily in a peaty soil if well worked, especially if they have
a cool moist subsoil. Pentstemons and phloxes, amongst others, succeed
well in soil of this character, but the surface must be well drained;
the former are rather apt to perish in winter in loamy soil, if at all
close and heavy. The herbaceous border should be a distinct
compartment varying from 6 to 10 ft. in width, and perhaps backed up
by evergreens under certain conditions. Such a border will take in
about four lines of plants, the tallest being placed in groups at the
back and in the centre, and the others graduated in height down to the
front. In the front row patches of the white arabis, the yellow
alyssum, white, yellow, blue, or purple violas, and the purple
aubrietia, recurring at intervals of 5 or 6 yards on a border of
considerable length, carry the eye forwards and give a balanced kind
of finish to the whole. The same might be done with dianthuses or the
larger narcissi in the second row, with paeonies, columbines and
phloxes in the third, and with delphiniums, aconitums and some of the
taller yellow composites as helianthus and rudbeckia at the back.
Spring and autumn flowers, as well as those blooming in summer, should
be regularly distributed throughout the border, which will then at no
season be devoid of interest in any part. Many of the little alpines
may be brought into the front line planted between suitable pieces of
stone, or they may be relegated to a particular spot, and placed on an
artificial rockery. Most of the hardy bulbs will do well enough in the
border, care being taken not to disturb them while leafless and
dormant.
Some deep-rooting perennials do not spread much at the surface, and
only require refreshing from time to time by top-dressings. Others, as
the asters, spread rapidly; those possessing this habit should be
taken up every second or third year, and, a nice patch being selected
for replanting from the outer portions, the rest may be either thrown
aside, or reserved for increase; the portion selected for replanting
should be returned to its place, the ground having meanwhile been well
broken up. Some plants are apt to decay at the base, frequently from
exposure caused by the lifting process going on during their growth;
these should be taken up annually in early autumn, the soil refreshed,
and the plants returned to their places, care being taken to plant
them sufficiently deep.
Only a section of some of the best of the decorative hardy perennials
can be noted, before we pass on to those popular subjects of this
class which have been directly influenced by the hybridizer and
improver. Many more might be added to the subjoined list:--
_Acaena._--Neat trailing plants adapted for rockwork, thriving in
sandy soil. _A. microphylla_ and _A. myriophylla_ have pretty spiny
heads of flowers.
_Acantholimon._--Pretty dwarf tufted plants, with needle-shaped
leaves, adapted for rockwork. _A. glumaceum_ and _A. venustum_ bear
bright pink flowers in July and August. Light sandy loam.
_Acanthus._--Bold handsome plants, with stately spikes, 2 to 3 ft.
high, of flowers with spiny bracts. _A. mollis_, _A. latifolius_, and
_A. longifolius_ are broad-leaved sorts; _A. spinosus_ and _A.
spinosissimus_ have narrower spiny toothed leaves.
_Achillea._--Handsome composite plants, the stronger ones of easy
culture in common soil. _A. Eupatorium_ and _filipendula_, 3 to 4 ft.,
have showy yellow corymbose flowers; _A. rosea_, 2 ft., rosy-crimson;
and _A. Ptarmica flore-pleno_, 2 ft., double white flowers. Others
suitable for front lines or rockwork are _A. tomentosa_, 9 in., bright
yellow; _A. aegyptiaca_, 1 ft., silvery leaves and yellow flowers; _A.
umbellata_, 8 in., silvery leaves and white flowers; and _A.
Clavennae_, 6 in., with silvery leaves and pure white flowers.
_Aconitum._--Handsome border plants, the tall stems crowned by racemes
of showy hooded flowers. _A. Camarum_, 3 to 4 ft., has deep purple
flowers in August; _A. sinense_, 1(1/2) to 2 ft., has large dark
purple flowers in September; _A. variegatum_, 3 ft., has the flowers
white edged with blue; _A. autumnale_, 3 ft., has pale blue flowers;
_A. Anthora_, 1 to 2 ft., yellow; and _A. japonicum_, 2(1/2) ft., deep
blue flowers, produced in September and October. _A. Wilsoni_, a new
species from China, 6 ft. high, with bluish-purple flowers.
_Adenophora._--Bell-shaped flowers. _A. stylosa_, 2 ft., pale blue,
elegant; _A. denticulata_, 1(1/2) ft., dark blue; and in _A.
liliifolia_, 1(1/2) ft., pale blue, sweet-scented--all blooming during
summer. Light soil.
_Adonis._--_A. vernalis_, 1 ft., has large bright yellow stellate
flowers in April. Deep light soil. _A. amurensis_ is a fine Chinese
species.
_Ajuga._--Free growing, dwarf and showy. _A. reptans_, 8 in., has
creeping runners, which _A. genevensis_ has not; both bear handsome
spikes of blue labiate flowers. Ordinary soil.
_Allium._--Hardy bulbs of the garlic family, some species of which are
ornamental; the inflorescence is umbellate. In _A. azureum_, 1 to 2
ft., the flowers are deep-blue; in _A. Moly_, 1 ft., golden yellow; in
_A. neapolitanum_, 1(1/2) ft., white, very handsome; in _A.
triquetrum_, 8 in., white with green central stripes; in _A.
pedemontanum_, 9 in., reddish-violet, very beautiful, the umbels
nodding.
_Alstroemeria._--Beautiful plants with fleshy tuberous roots, which
are the better if not often disturbed. _A. aurantiaca_, 2 to 3 ft.,
orange streaked with red, in July and August; _A. chilensis_, 2 to 3
ft., blood-red, streaked with yellow, affording many varieties. Deep
sandy loam or peat. Should be planted at least 6 or 8 in. deep.
_Althaea rosea._--The hollyhock is a noble perennial, 6 to 15 ft.
high, with flowers of every colour except blue. Requires rich loamy
soil and plenty of space.
_Alyssum._--Showy rockwork or front row border plants of easy culture
in any light soil; the plants should be frequently renewed from
cuttings. _A. saxatile_, with greyish leaves, and deep yellow flowers,
produced in April and May, and the dwarfer _A. montanum_ are useful.
_Amaryllis._--Noble half-hardy bulbs, for planting near the front wall
of a hothouse or greenhouse; the soil must be deep, rich and well
drained. _A. Belladonna_, the Belladonna Lily, 3 ft., has large
funnel-shaped flowers in September, of a delicate rose colour. The
variety _A. blanda_ has paler flowers, almost white.
_Anchusa._--Pretty boraginaceous herbs, easily grown. _A. italica_, 3
to 4 ft., has blue star-like flowers. _A. sempervirens_, 1(1/2) ft.,
rich blue, is well suited for rough borders.
_Androsace._--Pretty dwarf rock plants, requiring rather careful
management and a gritty soil. _A. Vitaliana_, yellow; _A. Wulfeniana_,
purplish-crimson; _A. villosa_, white or pale rose; _A. lactea_, white
with yellow eye; _A. lanuginosa_, delicate rose; and _A. Chamaejasme_,
delicate rose, are some of the best.
_Anemone._--The Japanese kinds, _A. japonica_, flowers white and
purple, are very easily grown and are particularly fine in autumn. The
scarlet _A. fulgens_, and _A. coronaria_, the poppy anemone, are
useful for the front, or in nooks in the rockery; while the common
hepatica (_A. hepatica_) with its bright blue flowers should also
have a place.
_Antennaria._--Composite plants, with everlasting flowers. _A.
margaritacea_, 1(1/2) to 2 ft., has white woolly stems and leaves, and
white flower-heads.
_Anthericum._--Charming border flowers. _A. Liliastrum_, St Bruno's
Lily, 1(1/2) ft., bears pretty white sweet-scented flowers in May; _A.
Hookeri (Chrysobactron)_, 2 ft., with long racemes of bright golden
yellow flowers, requires cool peaty soil.
_Aquilegia._--The Columbine family, consisting of beautiful border
flowers in great variety, ranging from 1 to 2 or 3 ft. in height.
Besides the common purple _A. vulgaris_ with its numerous varieties,
double and single, there are of choice sorts _A. alpina_ and _A.
pyrenaica_, blue; _A. glandulosa_, _A. jucunda_, and _A. coerulea_,
blue and white; _A. leptoceras_, blue and yellow; _A. canadensis_, _A.
Skinneri_, and _A. truncata (californica)_, scarlet and yellow; _A.
chrysantha_, yellow; and _A. fragrans_, white or flesh-colour, very
fragrant. Light rich garden soil.
_Arabis._--Dwarf close-growing evergreen cruciferous plants, adapted
for rockwork and the front part of the flower border, and of the
easiest culture. _A. albida_ forms a conspicuous mass of greyish
leaves and white blossoms. There is also a charming double variety.
_A. lucida_, which is also white-flowered, bears its bright green
leaves in rosettes, and has a variety with prettily gold-margined
leaves.
_Arenaria._--Evergreen rock plants of easy culture. _A. graminifolia_,
and _A. laricifolia_ are tufted, with grassy foliage and white
flowers, while A. balearica, a creeping rock plant, has tiny leaves
and solitary white flowers.
_Armeria._--The Thrift or Sea-Pink, of which the common form _A.
maritima_ is sometimes planted as an edging for garden walks; there
are three varieties, the common pale pink, the deep rose, and the
white, the last two being the most desirable. _A. cephalotes_, 1(1/2)
ft., is a larger plant, with tufts of linear lance-shaped leaves, and
abundant globular heads of deep rose flowers, in June and July.
_Asclepias._--_A. tuberosa_ is a handsome fleshy-rooted plant, very
impatient of being disturbed, and preferring good peat soil; it grows
1 to 1(1/2) ft. high, and bears corymbs of deep yellow and orange
flowers in September. _A. incarnata_, 2 to 4 ft., produces deep rose
sweet-scented flowers towards the end of summer.
_Asperula odorata._--The woodruff, a charming white-flowered plant
with leaves in circles. Well adapted for carpeting the border or
rockery.
_Asphodelus._--Handsome liliaceous plants, with fleshy roots, erect
stems, and showy flowers, thriving in any good garden soil. _A.
albus_, 4 ft., _A. aestivus_, 4 ft., and _A. ramosus_, 4 ft., have all
long tapering keeled leaves, and simple or branched spikes of white
flowers; _A. luteus_, 2 ft., has awl-shaped leaves and dense spikes of
fragrant yellow flowers; _A. capillaris_ is similar to _A. luteus_,
but more slender and elegant.
_Aster._--A very large family of autumn-blooming composites, including
some ornamental species, all of the easiest culture. Of these, _A.
alpinus_, 1 ft., and _A. Amellus_, 1(1/2) ft., with its var.
_bessarabicus_, have broadish blunt leaves, and large starry bluish
flowers; _A. longifolius formosus_, 2 ft., bright rosy lilac; _A.
elegans_, 3 to 5 ft., small pale purple or whitish; _A. laxus_, 2 ft.,
purplish-blue; _A. pendulus_, 2(1/2) ft., white, changing to rose; _A.
pyrenaeus_, 2 to 3 ft., lilac-blue; _A. turbinellus_, 2 to 3 ft.,
mauve-coloured, are showy border plants; and _A. Novae Angliae_, 5 to
6 ft., rosy-violet; _A. cyaneus_, 5 ft., blue-lilac; and _A.
grandiflorus_, 3 ft., violet, are especially useful from their
late-flowering habit.
_Astilbe._--_A. japonica_, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., better known as _Hoteia
japonica_ or _Spiraea japonica_, thrives in peaty or sandy soil; its
glossy tripinnate leaves, and feathery panicles of white flowers early
in summer, are very attractive. It proves to be a fine decorative
pot-plant, and invaluable for forcing during the spring.
_Astragalus._--Showy pea-flowered plants, the smaller species adapted
for rockwork; sandy soil. _A. dasyglottis_, 6 in., has bluish-purple
flowers in August and September; and _A. monspessulanus_, 8 in.,
crimson-purple in July; while _A. hypoglottis_, 6 in., produces in
summer compact heads of pretty flowers, which are either purple or
white. There are many very ornamental kinds.
_Aubrietia._--Beautiful dwarf spring-blooming rock plants, forming
carpety tufts of flowers of simple cruciferous form. _A. delioidea_ is
of a deep lilac-blue; _A. Campbelliae_ is more compact and rather
darker, approaching to purple; _A. grandiflora_ and _graeca_ are
rather larger, but of a lighter hue. Light sandy soil.
_Bambusa._--The bamboo family are elegant arborescent grasses (see
BAMBOO).
_Baptisia._--Stoutish erect-growing, 2 to 3 ft., with smooth foliage
and spikes of pea-like flowers. _B. australis_ is purplish-blue, _B.
alba_, white, _B. exaltata_, deep blue; all flowering in the summer
months.
_Bellis._--_B. perennis flore-pleno_, the Double Daisy, consists of
dwarf showy plants 3 to 4 in. high, flowering freely in spring if
grown in rich light soil, and frequently divided and transplanted. The
white and pink forms, with the white and red quilled, and the
variegated-leaved _aucubaefolia_, are some of the best.
_Bocconia._--Stately poppyworts, 6 to 8 ft. _B. cordata_ has
heart-shaped lobed leaves, and large panicles of small flesh-coloured
flowers. Sometimes called _Macleaya_. Deep sandy loam.
_Brodiaea._--Pretty bulbous plants. _B. grandiflora_, 1 ft., has large
bluish-purple flowers; _B. coccinea_, 2 to 3 ft., has tubular
campanulate nodding flowers of a rich crimson with green tips. Sandy
loam.
_Bulbocodium._--Pretty spring-flowering crocus-like bulbs. _B.
vernum_, 4 to 6 in. high, purplish-lilac, blooms in March. Good garden
soil.
_Buphthalmum._--Robust composite herbs with striking foliage, for the
back of herbaceous or shrubbery borders. _B. cordifolium_, 4 ft., has
large cordate leaves, and heads of rich orange flowers in cymose
panicles in July. Also called _Telekia speciosa_.
_Calandrinia._--Showy dwarf plants for sunny rockwork, in light sandy
soil. _C. umbellata_, 3 to 4 in., much branched, with narrow hairy
leaves, and corymbs of magenta-crimson flowers in the summer months.
_Calochortus._--Beautiful bulbous plants, called mariposa lilies,
requiring warm sheltered spots in rich gritty and well-drained soil.
There are several species known, the best being _albus_, _elegans_,
_luteus_, _Plummerae_, _splendens_, _Purdyi_, _venustus_ and _Weedi_.
_Caltha._--Showy marsh plants, adapted for the margins of lakes,
streamlets or artificial bogs. _C. palustris flore-pleno_, 1 ft., has
double brilliant yellow flowers in May.
_Calystegia._--Twining plants with running perennial roots. _C.
pubescens flore-pleno_, 8 to 10 ft., has showy double-pink
convolvuloid flowers in July; _C. dahurica_ is a handsome
single-flowered summer-blooming kind, with rosy-coloured flowers.
_Camassia esculenta._--A beautiful bulbous plant 2 to 3 ft. high with
large pale blue flowers. Also a white variety.
_Campanula._--Beautiful, as well as varied in habit and character.
They are called bell-flowers. _C. pulla_, 6 in., purplish, nodding, on
slender erect stalks; _C. turbinata_, 9 in., purple, broad-belled; _C.
carpatica_, 1 ft., blue, broad-belled; _C. nobilis_, 1(1/2) ft.,
long-belled, whitish or tinted with chocolate; _C. persicifolia_, 2
ft., a fine border plant, single or double, white or purple, blooming
in July; and _C. pyramidalis_, 6 ft., blue or white, in tall branching
spikes, are good and diverse. There are many other fine sorts.
_Centaurea._--Bold-habited composites of showy character; common soil.
_C. babylonica_, 5 to 7 ft., has winged stems, silvery leaves, and
yellow flower-heads from June to September; _C. montana_, 3 ft., deep
bright blue or white.
_Centranthus._--Showy free-flowering plants, for rockwork, banks, or
stony soil. _C. ruber_, 2 ft., branches and blooms freely all summer,
and varies with rosy, or crimson, or white flowers. It clothes the
chalk cuttings on some English railways with a sheet of colour in the
blooming season.
_Cheiranthus._--Pretty rock plants, for light stony soils. _C.
alpinus_, 6 in., grows in dense tufts, and bears sulphur-yellow
flowers in May. _C. ochroleucus_ is similar in character.
_Chionodoxa._--Charming dwarf hardy bulbous plants of the liliaceous
order, blooming in the early spring in company with _Scilla sibirica_,
and of equally easy cultivation. _C. Luciliae_, 6 in., has star-shaped
flowers of a brilliant blue with a white centre. _C. gigantea_ is the
finest of the few known species. It blooms from February to April.
_Chrysanthemum._--Apart from the florist's varieties of _C. indicum_
there are a few fine natural species. One of the best for the flower
border is _C. maximum_ and its varieties--all with beautiful white
flowers having yellow centres. _C. latifolium_ is also a fine species.
_Colchicum._--Showy autumn-blooming bulbs (corms), with crocus-like
flowers, all rosy-purple or white. _C. speciosum_, _C. autumnale_,
single and double, _C. byzantinum_, and _C. variegatum_ are all worth
growing.
_Convallaria._--_C. majalis_, the lily of the valley, a well-known
sweet-scented favourite spring flower, growing freely in rich garden
soil; its spikes, 6 to 9 in. high, of pretty white fragrant bells, are
produced in May and June. Requires shady places, and plenty of old
manure each autumn.
_Coreopsis._--Effective composite plants, thriving in good garden
soil. _C. auriculata_, 2 to 3 ft., has yellow and brown flowers in
July and August; _C. lanceolata_, 2 to 3 ft., bright yellow, in
August; next to the biennial _C. grandiflora_ it is the best garden
plant.
_Corydalis._--Interesting and elegant plants, mostly tuberous, growing
in good garden soil. _C. bracteata_, 9 in., has sulphur-coloured
flowers in April, and _C. nobilis_, 1 ft., rich yellow, in May; _C.
solida_, with purplish, and _C. tuberosa_, with white flowers, are
pretty spring-flowering plants, 4 to 6 in. high. _C. thalictrifolia_,
1 ft., yellow, May to October.
_Cyclamen._--Charming tuberous-rooted plants of dwarf habit, suitable
for sheltered rockeries, and growing in light gritty soil. _C.
europaeum_, reddish-purple, flowers in summer, and _C. hederae-folium_
in autumn.
_Cypripedium._--Beautiful terrestrial orchids, requiring to be planted
in peat soil, in a cool and rather shady situation. _C. spectabile_,
1(1/2) to 2 ft., white and rose colour, in June, is a lovely species,
as is _C. Calceolus_, 1 ft., yellow and brown, in May; all are full of
interest and beauty.
_Delphinium._--The Larkspur family, tall showy plants, with spikes of
blue flowers in July. Distinct sorts are _D. grandiflorum_ and _D.
grandiflorum flore-pleno_, 2 to 3 ft., of the richest dazzling blue,
flowering on till September; _D. chinense_, 2 ft., blue, and its
double-flowered variety, are good, as is _D. Barlowi_, 3 ft., a
brilliant double blue-purple. _D. nudicaule_, 2 ft., orange-scarlet,
very showy, is best treated as a biennial, its brilliant flowers being
produced freely in the second year from the seed.
_Dianthus._--Chiefly rock plants with handsome and fragrant flowers,
the smaller sorts growing in light sandy soil, and the larger border
plants in rich garden earth. Of the dwarfer sorts for rock gardens,
_D. alpinus_, _D. caesius_, _D. deltoides_, _D. dentosus_, _D.
neglectus_, _D. petraeus_, and _D. glacialis_ are good examples; while
for borders or larger rockwork _D. plumarius_, _D. superbus_, _D.
Fischeri_, _D. cruentus_, and the clove section of _D. Caryophyllus_
are most desirable.
_Dicentra._--Very elegant plants, of easy growth in good soil. _D.
spectabilis_, 2 to 3 ft., has paeony-like foliage, and gracefully
drooping spikes of heart-shaped pink flowers, about May, but it should
have a sheltered place, as it suffers from spring frosts and winds;
_D. formosa_ and _D. eximia_, 1 ft., are also pretty rosy-flowered
species.
_Dictamnus._--_D. Fraxinella_ is a very characteristic and attractive
plant, 2 to 3 ft., with bold pinnate leaves, and tall racemes of
irregular-shaped purple or white flowers. It is everywhere glandular,
and strongly scented.
_Digitalis._--Stately erect-growing plants, with long racemes of
pouch-shaped drooping flowers. The native D. purpurea, or foxglove, 3
to 5 ft., with its dense racemes of purple flowers, spotted inside, is
very showy, but is surpassed by the garden varieties that have been
raised. It is really a biennial, but grows itself so freely as to
become perennial in the garden. An erect flowered form is called
_gloxinioides_. The yellow-flowered _D. lutea_ and _D. grandiflora_
are less showy. Good garden soil, and frequent renewal from seeds.
_Doronicum._--Showy composites of free growth in ordinary soil. _D.
caucasicum_ and _D. austriacum_, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., both yellow-flowered,
bloom in spring and early summer. _D. plantagineum excelsum_, 3 to 5
ft. high, is the best garden plant.
_Draba._--Good rockwork cruciferous plants. _D. alpina_, _D.
aizoides_, _D. ciliaris_, _D. Aizoon_, and _D. cuspidata_ bear yellow
flowers in early spring; _D. cinerea_ and _D. ciliata_ have white
flowers. Gritty well-drained soil.
_Dracocephalum._--Handsome labiate plants, requiring a warm and
well-drained soil. _D. argunense_, 1(1/2) ft., _D. austriacum_, 1 ft.,
_D. grandiflorum_, 1 ft., and _D. Ruyschianum_, 1(1/2) ft., with its
var. japonicum, all produce showy blue flowers during the summer
months.
_Echinacea._--Stout growing showy composites for late summer and
autumn flowering, requiring rich deep soil, and not to be often
disturbed. _E. angustifolia_, 3 to 4 ft., light purplish-rose, and _E.
intermedia_, 3 to 4 ft., reddish-purple, are desirable kinds. _E.
purpurea_ (often called Rudbeckia) is the showiest species. Height 3
to 4 ft., with rosy-purple flowers.
_Eomecon chionanthus._--A lovely poppywort about 1 ft. high, with pure
white flowers 2 to 3 in. across. Root-stocks thick, creeping.
_Epimedium._--Pretty plants, growing about 1 ft. high, with elegant
foliage, and curious flowers. _E. macranthum_, white flowers, and _E.
rubrum_, red, are distinctly spurred; _E. pinnatum_ and _E.
Perralderianum_, yellow, less so. They bloom in spring, and prefer a
shady situation and a peaty soil.
_Eranthis hyemalis._--A charming tuberous rooted plant, called winter
aconite. Flowers bright yellow, January to March, close to the ground.
_Eremurus._--Noble plants with thick rootstocks, large sword-like
leaves, and spikes of flowers from 3 to 10 ft. high. They require warm
sunny spots and rich gritty soil. The best kinds are _robustus_, pink,
6 to 10 ft.; _himalaicus_, 4 to 8 ft., white; _Aitchisoni_, 3 to 5
ft., red; _Bungei_, 2 to 3 ft., yellow; and _aurantiacus_, 2 to 3 ft.,
orange-yellow. There are now several hybrid forms.
_Erigeron._--Composite plants, variable in character. _E. purpureus_,
1(1/2) ft., with pink flower-heads, having narrow twisted ray-florets;
_E. Roylei_, 1 ft., dark blue; and _E. pulchellus_, 1 ft., rich
orange, flowering during the summer, are among the best kinds. Good
ordinary garden soil.
_Erinus._--_E. alpinus_ is a beautiful little alpine for rockwork, 3
to 6 in., of tufted habit, with small-toothed leaves, and heads of
pinkish-purple or, in a variety, white flowers, early in summer. Sandy
well-drained soil.
_Erodium._--Handsome dwarf tufted plants. _E. Manescavi_, 1 to 1(1/2)
ft., has large purplish-red flowers in summer; _E. Reichardi_, a
minute stemless plant, has small heart-shaped leaves in rosette-like
tufts, and white flowers striped with pink, produced successively.
Light soil.
_Eryngium._--Very remarkable plants of the umbelliferous order, mostly
of an attractive character. _E. amethystinum_, 2 ft., has the upper
part of the stem, the bracts, and heads of flowers all of an
amethystine blue. Some of more recent introduction have the aspect of
the pine-apple, such as _E. bromeliaefolium_, _E. pandanifolium_, and
_E. eburneum_. Deep light soil.
_Erythronium._--_E. dens-canis_, the Dog's Tooth Violet, is a pretty
dwarf bulbous plant with spotted leaves, and rosy or white flowers
produced in spring, and having reflexed petals. Mixed peaty and loamy
soil, deep and cool. Several charming American species are now in
cultivation.
_Euphorbia._--Plants whose beauty resides in the bracts or floral
leaves which surround the inconspicuous flowers. _E. aleppica_, 2 ft.,
and _E. Characias_, 2 to 3 ft., with green bracts, are fine plants
for rockwork or sheltered, corners.
_Ferula._--Gigantic umbelliferous plants, with magnificent foliage,
adapted for shrubbery borders or open spots on lawns. They have thick
fleshy roots, deeply penetrating, and therefore requiring deep soil,
which should be of a light or sandy character. _F. communis_, _F.
glauca_, and _F. tingitana_, the last with glossy lozenge-shaped
leaflets, grow 8 to 10 ft. high; _F. Ferulago_, with more finely cut
leaves, grows 5 to 6 ft. high. They flower in early spring, and all
have a fine appearance when in bloom, on account of their large showy
umbels of yellow flowers.
_Fritillaria._--A large genus of liliaceous bulbs, the best known of
which is the crown imperial (_F. imperialis_) and the snake's head
(_F. Meleagris_). There are many charming species grown, such as
_aurea_, _pudica_, _recurva_, _sewerzowi_, _askabadensis_, &c.
_Funkia._--Pretty liliaceous plants, with simple conspicuously
longitudinal-ribbed leaves, the racemose flowers funnel-shaped and
deflexed. _F. Sieboldiana_, 1 ft., has lilac flowers; _F.
grandiflora_, 18 in., is white and fragrant; _F. coerulea_, 18 in., is
violet-blue; _F. albo-marginata_, 15 in., has the leaves edged with
white, and the flowers lilac. Rich garden soil.
_Gaillardia._--Showy composite plants, thriving in good garden soil.
_G. aristata_, 2 ft., has large yellow flower-heads, 2 or 3 in.
across, in summer; _G. Baeselari_ and _G. Loiselii_ have the lower
part of the ray-florets red, the upper part yellow.
_Galanthus._--The Snowdrop. Early spring-flowering amaryllidaceous
bulbs, with pretty drooping flowers, snow-white, having the tips of
the enclosed petals green. The common sort is _G. nivalis_, which
blossoms on the first break of the winter frosts; _G. Imperoti_, _G.
Elwesi_ and _G. plicatus_ have larger flowers.
_Galax aphylla._--A neat little rock plant, 6 to 8 in. high, with
pretty round leaves and white flowers. Requires moist peaty soil.
_Galega officinalis._--A strong-growing leguminous plant, 2 to 5 ft.
high, with pinnate leaves, and masses of pinkish purple pea-like
flowers. Also a white variety. Grows anywhere.
_Galtonia candicans._--~A fine bulbous plant, 3 to 4 ft. high, with
drooping white flowers.
_Gaura._--_G. Lindheimeri_, 3 to 5 ft., is much branched, with elegant
white and red flowers of the onagraceous type, in long slender ramose
spikes during the late summer and autumn months. Light garden soil;
not long-lived.
_Gentiana._--Beautiful tufted erect-stemmed plants preferring a strong
rich loamy soil. _G. acaulis_, known as the Gentianella, forms a close
carpet of shining leaves, and in summer bears large erect tubular deep
blue flowers. _G. Andrewsii_, 1 ft., has, during summer, large deep
blue flowers in clusters, the corollas closed at the mouth; _G.
asclepiadea_, 18 in., purplish-blue, flowers in July.
_Geranium._--Showy border flowers, mostly growing to a height of
1(1/2) or 2 ft., having deeply cut leaves, and abundant saucer-shaped
blossoms of considerable size. _G. ibericum_, _platypetalum_,
_armenum_ and _Endressi_ are desirable purple- and rose-flowered
sorts; _G. sanguineum_, a tufted grower, has the flowers a deep rose
colour; and the double-flowered white and blue forms of _G. pratense_
and _G. sylvaticum_ make pretty summer flowers. Good garden soil.
_Gerbera._--A South African genus of composites requiring very warm
sunny spots and rich gritty soil. _G. Jamesoni_, with large scarlet
marguerite-like flowers, and _G. viridiflora_, with white flowers
tinged with lilac, are best known. Numerous hybrids have been raised,
varying in colour from creamy white to salmon, pink, yellow, red and
orange.
_Geum._--Pretty rosaceous plants. The single and double flowered forms
of _G. chiloense_ and its varieties _grandiflorum_ and _miniatum_, 2
ft., with brilliant scarlet flowers; _G. coccineum_, 6 to 12 in.,
scarlet, and _G. montana_, 9 in., yellow, are among the best sorts.
Good garden soil.
_Gillenia trifoliata_.--A pretty rosaceous plant about 2 ft. high.
Flowers white in graceful panicles; flourishes in a mixture of sandy
peat and loam.
_Gunnera._--Remarkable rhubarb-like plants with huge lobed leaves,
often 6 ft. across. They should be grown near water as they like much
moisture, and a good loamy soil. _G. manicata_ and _G. scabra_ are the
two kinds grown.
_Gynerium._--The Pampas-Grass, a noble species, introduced from Buenos
Aires; it forms huge tussocks, 4 or 5 ft. high, above which towards
autumn rise the bold dense silvery plumes of the inflorescence. It
does best in sheltered nooks.
_Gypsophila._--Interesting caryophyllaceous plants, thriving in dryish
situations. _G. paniculata_, 2 ft., from Siberia, forms a dense
semi-globular mass of small white flowers from July onwards till
autumn, and is very useful for cutting.
_Haberlea rhodopensis._--A pretty rock plant with dense tufts of
leaves and bluish-lilac flowers. It likes fibrous peat in fissures of
the rocks.
_Helenium._--Showy composites of free growth in lightish soil. _H.
autumnale_, 4 ft., bears a profusion of yellow-rayed flower-heads in
August and September.
_Helianthemum._--Dwarf subshrubby plants well suited for rockwork, and
called Sun-Roses from their blossoms resembling small wild roses and
their thriving best in sunny spots. Some of the handsomest are _H.
roseum_, _mutabile_, _cupreum_ and _rhodanthum_, with red flowers;
_H. vulgare flore-pleno_, _grandiflorum_ and _stramineum_, with yellow
flowers; and _H. macranthum_ and _papyraceum_, with the flowers white.
_Helianthus._--The Sunflower genus, of which there are several
ornamental kinds. _H. multiflorus_, 4 ft., and its double-flowered
varieties, bear showy golden yellow flower-heads in profusion, and are
well adapted for shrubbery borders; _H. orgyalis_, 8 ft., has drooping
willow-like leaves. Many other showy species.
_Helichrysum._--Composite plants, with the flower-heads of the
scarious character known as Everlastings. _H. arenarium_, 6 to 8 in.,
is a pretty species, of dwarf spreading habit, with woolly leaves and
corymbs of golden yellow flowers, about July.
_Helleborus._--Charming very early blooming dwarf ranunculaceous
herbs. _H. niger_ or Christmas Rose, the finest variety of which is
called _maximus_, has white showy saucer-shaped flowers; _H.
orientalis_, 1 ft., rose-coloured; _H. atrorubens_, 1 ft.,
purplish-red; and _H. colchicus_, 1 ft., deep purple. Deep rich loam.
_Hemerocallis._--The name of the day lilies of which _H. fulva_, _H.
disticha_, _H. flava_, _H. Dumortieri_ and _H. aurantiaca major_ are
the most showy, all with yellow or orange flowers. They flourish in
any garden soil.
_Hepatica._--Charming little tufted plants requiring good loamy soil,
and sometimes included with Anemone. _H. triloba_, 4 in., has
three-lobed leaves, and a profusion of small white, blue, or pink
single or double flowers, from February onwards; _H. angulosa_, from
Transylvania, 6 to 8 in., is a larger plant, with sky-blue flowers.
_Hesperis._--_H. matronalis_, 1 to 2 ft., is the old garden Rocket, of
which some double forms with white and purplish blossoms are amongst
the choicest of border flowers. They require a rich loamy soil, not
too dry, and should be divided and transplanted into fresh soil
annually or every second year, in the early autumn season.
_Heuchera._--_H. sanguinea_ and its varieties are charming and
brilliant border plants with scarlet flowers in long racemes. Rich and
well-drained soil.
_Hibiscus._--Showy malvaceous plants. _H. Moscheutos_, rose-coloured,
and _H. palustris_, purple, both North American herbs, 3 to 5 ft.
high, are suitable for moist borders or for boggy places near the
margin of lakes.
_Iberis._--The Candytuft, of which several dwarf spreading subshrubby
species are amongst the best of rock plants, clothing the surface with
tufts of green shoots, and flowering in masses during May and June.
The best are _I. saxatilis_, 6 to 10 in.; _I. sempervirens_, 12 to 15
in.; and _I. Pruitii_ (variously called _coriacea_, _carnosa_,
_correaefolia_), 12 in.
_Incarvillea._--_I. Delavayi_ is the best species for the open air. It
grows 2 ft. high and has large tubular rosy carmine blossoms. It likes
rich sandy loam and sunny spots.
_Lathyrus._--Handsome climbing herbs, increased by seeds or division.
_L. grandiflorus_, 3 ft., has large rose-coloured flowers with
purplish-crimson wings, in June; _L. latifolius_, the everlasting pea,
6 ft., has bright rosy flowers in the late summer and autumn; the
vars. _albus_, white, and _superbus_, deep rose, are distinct.
Ordinary garden soil.
_Lavatera._--_L. thuringiaca_, 4 ft., is a fine erect-growing
malvaceous plant, producing rosy-pink blossoms freely, about August
and September. Good garden soil.
_Leucojum._--Snowflake. Pretty early-blooming bulbs, quite hardy. _L.
vernum_, 6 in., blooms shortly after the snowdrop, and should have a
light rich soil and sheltered position; _L. carpaticum_, flowers about
a month later; _L. pulchellum_, 1(1/2) ft., blooms in April and May; and
_L. aestivum_, 2 ft., in May. All have white pendant flowers, tipped
with green.
_Liatris._--Pretty composites with the flower-heads collected into
spikes. _L. pumila_, 1 ft., _L. squarrosa_, 2 to 3 ft., _L. spicata_,
3 to 4 ft., _L. pycnostachya_, 3 to 4 ft., all have rosy-purplish
flowers. Deep, cool, and moist soil.
_Lilium._--See LILY.
_Linaria._--Toadflax. Pretty scrophulariads, of which _L. alpina_, 3
to 6 in., with bluish-violet flowers having a brilliant orange spot,
is suitable for rockwork; _L. dalmatica_, 4 ft., and _L.
genistifolia_, 3 ft., both yellow-flowered, are good border plants;
_L. vulgaris_, the common British toad-flax, and its regular peloriate
form, are very handsome and free flowering during the summer months.
_Linum._--Flax. _L. alpinum_, 6 in., large, dark blue; _L.
narbonnense_, 1(1/2) ft., large, blue; _L. perenne_, 1(1/2) ft.,
cobalt blue; and _L. arboreum (flavum)_, 1 ft., yellow, are all
pretty. The last is liable to suffer from damp during winter, and some
spare plants should be wintered in a frame. It is really shrubby in
character.
_Lithospermum._--_L. prostratum_, 3 in., is a trailing evergreen herb,
with narrow hairy leaves, and paniculate brilliant blue flowers in May
and June. Well adapted for rockwork or banks of sandy soil.
_Lupinus._--Showy erect-growing plants with papilionaceous flowers,
thriving in good deep garden soil. _L. polyphyllus_, 3 ft., forms
noble tufts of palmate leaves, and long spikes of bluish-purple or
white flowers in June and July; _L. arboreus_ is subshrubby, and has
yellow flowers.
_Lychnis._--Brilliant erect-growing caryophyllaceous plants, thriving
best in beds of peat earth or of deep sandy loam. _L. chalcedonica_, 3
ft., has dense heads of bright scarlet flowers, both single and
double, in June and July; _L. fulgens_, 1 ft., vermilion; _L.
Haageana_, 1(1/2) ft., scarlet; and _L. grandiflora_, 1 to 2 ft., with
clusters of scarlet, crimson, pink and white flowers. All
large-flowered and showy, but require a little protection in winter.
_Lysimachia._--The best known is the Creeping Jenny, _L. Nummularia_,
much used for trailing over rockeries and window boxes, with bright
yellow flowers. The variety _aurea_ with golden leaves is also
popular. Other species that grow from 2 to 3 ft. high, and are good
border plants, are _L. clethroides_, with white spikes of flowers; _L.
vulgaris_, _L. thyrsiflora_, _L. ciliata_, _L. verticillata_ and _L.
punctata_, all yellow.
_Malva._--_M. moschata_, 2 ft., with a profusion of pale pink or white
flowers, and musky deeply cut leaves, though a British plant, is worth
introducing to the flower borders when the soil is light and free.
_Meconopsis._--The Welsh poppy, _M. cambrica_, 1 to 2 ft. high,
yellow, and _M. Wallichi_, from the Himalayas, 4 to 6 ft. high with
pale blue flowers, are the best known perennials of the genus. The
last-named, however, is best raised from seeds every year, and treated
like the biennial kinds.
_Mertensia._--_M. virginica_, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., azure blue, shows
flowers in drooping panicles in May and June. It does best in shady
peat borders.
_Mimulus._--Monkey-flower. Free-blooming, showy scrophulariaceous
plants, thriving best in moist situations. _M. cardinalis_, 2 to 3
ft., has scarlet flowers, with the limb segments reflexed; _M. luteus_
and its many garden forms, 1 to 1(1/2) ft., are variously coloured and
often richly spotted; and _M. cupreus_, 8 to 10 in., is bright
coppery-red. _M. moschatus_ is the Musk-plant, of which the variety
_Harrisoni_ is a greatly improved form, with much larger yellow
flowers.
_Monarda._--Handsome labiate plants, flowering towards autumn, and
preferring a cool soil and partially shaded situation. _M. didyma_, 2
ft., scarlet or white; M. fistulosa, 3 ft., purple; and _M. purpurea_,
2 ft., deep purple, are good border flowers.
_Muscari._--Pretty dwarf spring-flowering bulbs. _M. botryoides_
(Grape Hyacinth), 6 in., blue or white, is the handsomest; _M.
moschatum_ (Musk Hyacinth), 10 in., has peculiar livid greenish-yellow
flowers and a strong musky odour; _M. monstrosum_ (Feather Hyacinth)
bears sterile flowers broken up into a feather-like mass. Good garden
soil.
_Myosotidium nobile._--A remarkable plant, 1(1/2) to 2 ft. high, with
large blue forget-me-not-like flowers. Requires gritty peat soil and
cool situations, but must be protected from frost in winter.
_Myosotis._--Forget-me-not. Lovely boraginaceous plants. M.
dissitiflora, 6 to 8 in., with large, handsome and abundant sky-blue
flowers, is the best and earliest, flowering from February onwards; it
does well in light cool soils, preferring peaty ones, and should be
renewed annually from seeds or cuttings. _M. rupicola_, 2 to 3 in.,
intense blue, is a fine rock plant, preferring shady situations and
gritty soil; _M. sylvatica_, 1 ft., blue, pink or white, used for
spring bedding, should be sown annually in August.
_Narcissus._--See NARCISSUS.
_Nepeta._--_N. Mussinii_, 1 ft., is a compactly spreading
greyish-leaved labiate, with lavender-blue flowers, and is sometimes
used for bedding or for marginal lines in large compound beds.
_Nierembergia._--_N. rivularis_, 4 in., from La Plata, has slender,
creeping, rooting stems, bearing stalked ovate leaves, and large
funnel-shaped white flowers, with a remarkably long slender tube;
especially adapted for rockwork, requiring moist sandy loam.
_Nymphaea._--See WATER-LILY.
_Oenothera._--The genus of the Evening Primrose, consisting of showy
species, all of which grow and blossom freely in rich deep soils. _Oe.
missouriensis (macrocarpa)_, 6 to 12 in., has stout trailing branches,
lance-shaped leaves and large yellow blossoms; _Oe. taraxacifolia_, 6
to 12 in., has a stout crown from which the trailing branches spring
out, and these bear very large white flowers, changing to delicate
rose; this perishes in cold soils, and should therefore be raised from
seed annually. Of erect habit are _Oe. speciosa_, 1 to 2 ft., with
large white flowers; _Oe. fruticosa_, 2 to 3 ft., with abundant yellow
flowers; and _Oe. serotina_, 2 ft., also bright yellow.
_Omphalodes._--Elegant dwarf boraginaceous plants. _O. verna_, 4 to 6
in., a creeping, shade-loving plant, has bright blue flowers in the
very early spring; _O. Luciliae_, 6 in., has much larger lilac-blue
flowers, and is an exquisite rock plant for warm, sheltered spots.
Light sandy soil.
_Onosma._--_O. taurica_, 6 to 8 in., is a charming boraginaceous plant
from the Caucasus, producing hispid leaves and cymose heads of
drooping, tubular, yellow flowers. It is of evergreen habit, and
requires a warm position on the rockwork and well-drained sandy soil;
or a duplicate should be sheltered during winter in a cold, dry frame.
_Ornithogalum._--The Star of Bethlehem. _O. arabicum_ can only be
grown in the warmest parts of the kingdom, and then requires
protection in winter. Other species, all bulbous, are _O. nutans_, _O.
pyramidale_, _O. pyrenaicum_, and the common Star of Bethlehem, _O.
umbellatum_; all are easily grown, and have white flowers.
_Ostrowskya magnifica._--A magnificent bellflower from Bokhara, 4 to 5
ft. high, and white flowers tinted and veined with lilac, 3 to 5 in.
across. Requires rich, gritty loam of good depth, as it produces
tuberous roots 1 to 2 ft. long.
_Ourisia._--Handsome scrophulariaceous plants, from Chile, thriving in
moist, well-drained peaty soil, and in moderate shade. _O. coccinea_,
1 ft., has erect racemes of pendent crimson flowers.
_Papaver._--The Poppy. Very showy plants, often of strong growth, and
of easy culture in ordinary garden soil. _P. orientale_, 3 ft., has
crimson-scarlet flowers, 6 in. across, and the variety _bracteatum_
closely resembles it, but has leafy bracts just beneath the blossom.
_P. alpinum_, 6 in., white with yellow centre; _P. nudicaule_, 1 ft.,
yellow, scented, and _P. pilosum_, 1 to 2 ft., deep orange, are
ornamental smaller kinds.
_Pentstemon._--The popular garden varieties have sprung from _P.
Hartwegii_ and _P. Cobaea_. Other distinct kinds are _P.
campanulatus_, 1(1/2) ft., pale rose, of bushy habit; _P. humilis_, 9
in., bright blue; _P. speciosus_, _cyananthus_ and _Jaffrayanus_, 2 to
3 ft., all bright blue; _P. barbatus_, 3 to 4 ft., scarlet, in long
terminal panicles; _P. Murrayanus_, 6 ft., with scarlet flowers and
connate leaves; and _P. Palmeri_, 3 to 4 ft., with large, wide-tubed,
rose-coloured flowers.
_Petasites._--_P. fragrans_, the Winter Heliotrope, though of weedy
habit, with ample cordate coltsfoot-like leaves, yields in January and
February its abundant spikes, about 1 ft. high, of greyish flowers
scented like heliotrope; it should have a corner to itself.
_Phlomis._--Bold and showy labiates, growing in ordinary soil. _P.
Russelliana (lunariaefolia)_, 4 ft., yellow, and _P. tuberosa_, 3 ft.,
purplish-rose, both with downy hoary leaves, come in well in broad
flower borders.
_Phygelius._--_P. capensis_ from South Africa is hardy south of the
Thames and in favoured localities. Flowers tubular scarlet, on
branching stems, 2 to 3 ft. high. Requires light, rich soil.
_Physalis._--_P. Alkekengi_ from South Europe has long been known in
gardens for its bright orange-red globular calyxes. It has been
surpassed by the much larger and finer _P. Francheti_ from Japan; the
brilliant calyxes are often 3 in. in diameter in autumn. Grows in any
garden soil.
_Physostegia._--Tall, autumn-blooming labiates, of easy growth in
ordinary garden soils. _P. imbricata_, 5 to 6 ft., has pale purple
flowers in closely imbricated spikes.
_Phytolacca._--Ornamental strong-growing perennials requiring much
space. _P. acinosa_, from the Himalayas, 3 to 4 ft., with whitish
flowers in erect spikes. _P. decandra_, the North American Poke Weed
or Red Ink plant, grows 5 to 10 ft. high, has fleshy poisonous roots,
erect purple stems and white flowers. _P. icosandra_, from Mexico, 2
to 3 ft., pinky white. The foliage in all cases is handsome. Ordinary
garden soil.
_Platycodon._--_P. grandiflorum_, 6 to 24 in. high, is a fine Chinese
perennial with flattish, bell-shaped flowers, 2 to 3 in. across, and
purple in colour. The variety _Mariesi_ (or _pumilum_) is dwarf, with
larger, deeper-coloured flowers. Requires rich sandy loam.
_Podophyllum._--Ornamental herbs with large lobed leaves. _P. Emodi_,
6 to 12 in. high, from the Himalayas, has large white or pale-rose
flowers, and in autumn bright red, hen's-egg-like fruits. _P.
peltatum_, the North American mandrake, has large umbrella-like leaves
and white flowers; _P. pleianthum_, from China, purple. They all
require moist, peaty soil in warm, sheltered nooks.
_Polemonium._--Pretty border flowers. _P. coeruleum_ (Jacob's Ladder),
2 ft., has elegant pinnate leaves, and long panicles of blue rotate
flowers. The variety called variegatum has very elegantly marked
leaves, and is sometimes used as a margin or otherwise in bedding
arrangements. Good garden soil.
_Polygonatum._--Elegant liliaceous plants, with rhizomatous stems. _P.
multiflorum_ (Solomon's Seal), 2 to 3 ft., with arching stems, and
drooping white flowers from the leaf axils, is a handsome border
plant, doing especially well in partial shade amongst shrubs, and also
well adapted for pot culture for early forcing. Good garden soil.
_Polygonum._--A large family, varying much in character, often weedy,
but of easy culture in ordinary soil. _P. vacciniifolium_, 6 to 10
in., is a pretty prostrate subshrubby species, with handsome rose-pink
flowers, suitable for rockwork, and prefers boggy soil; _P. affine
(Brunonis)_, 1 ft., deep rose, is a showy border plant, flowering in
the late summer; _P. cuspidatum_, 8 to 10 ft., is a grand object for
planting where a screen is desired, as it suckers abundantly, and its
tall spotted stems and handsome cordate leaves have quite a noble
appearance. Other fine species are _P. baldschuanium_, a climber, _P.
sphaerostachyum_, _P. lanigerum_, _P. polystachyum_ and _P.
sachalinense_, all bold and handsome.
_Potentilla._--The double varieties are fine garden plants obtained
from _P. argyrophylla atrosanguinea_ and _P. nepalensis_. The colours
include golden-yellow, red, orange-yellow, crimson, maroon and
intermediate shades. They all flourish in rich sandy soil.
_Primula._--Beautiful and popular spring flowers, of which many forms
are highly esteemed in most gardens. _P. vulgaris_, 6 in., affords
numerous handsome single- and double-flowered varieties, with
various-coloured flowers for the spring flower-beds and borders.
Besides this, _P. Sieboldii (cortusoides amoena)_, 1 ft., originally
deep rose with white eye, but now including many varieties of colour,
such as white, pink, lilac and purple; _P. japonica_, 1 to 2 ft.,
crimson-rose; _P. denticulata_, 1 ft., bright bluish-lilac, with its
allies _P. erosa_ and _P. purpurea_, all best grown in a cold frame;
_P. viscosa_, 6 in., purple, and its white variety nivalis, with _P.
pedemontana_ and _P. spectabilis_, 6 in., both purple; and the
charming little Indian _P. rosea_, 3 to 6 in., bright cherry-rose
colour, are but a few of the many beautiful kinds in cultivation.
_Pulmonaria._--Handsome dwarf, boraginaceous plants, requiring good
deep garden soil. _P. officinalis_, 1 ft., has prettily mottled leaves
and blue flowers; _P. sibirica_ is similar in character, but has
broader leaves more distinctly mottled with white.
_Pyrethrum._--Composite plants of various character, but of easy
culture. _P. Parthenium eximium_, 2 ft., is a handsome double white
form of ornamental character for the mixed border; _P. uliginosum_, 5
to 6 ft., has fine large, white, radiate flowers in October; _P.
Tchihatchewii_, a close-growing, dense evergreen, creeping species,
with long-stalked, white flower-heads, is adapted for covering slopes
in lieu of turf, and for rockwork.
_Ramondia._--_R. pyrenaica_, 3 to 6 in., is a pretty dwarf plant,
requiring a warm position on the rockwork and a moist, peaty soil more
or less gritty; it has rosettes of ovate spreading root-leaves, and
large purple, yellow-centred, rotate flowers, solitary, or two to
three together, on naked stalks.
_Ranunculus._--The florists' ranunculus is a cultivated form of _R.
asiaticus_ (see RANUNCULUS). _R. amplexicaulis_, 1 ft., white; _R.
aconitifolius_, 1 to 2 ft., white, with its double variety _R.
aconitifolius flore-pleno_ (Fair Maids of France); and _R. acris
flore-pleno_ (Bachelor's Buttons), 2 ft., golden yellow, are pretty.
Of dwarfer interesting plants there are _R. alpestris_, 4 in., white;
_R. gramineus_, 6 to 10 in., yellow; _R. parnassifolius_, 6 in.,
white; and _R. rutaefolius_, 4 to 6 in., white with orange centre.
_Rodgersia._--Handsome herbs of the saxifrage family. _R. podophylla_
with large bronzy-green leaves cut into 5 large lobes, and tall
branching spikes 3 to 4 ft. high--the whole plant resembling one of
the large meadow sweets. _R. aesculifolia_, yellowish-white; _R.
Henrici_, deep purple; _R. pinnata_, fleshy pink; and _R.
sambucifolia_, white, are recently introduced species from China. They
require rich sandy peat and warm sheltered spots.
_Romneya._--_R. Coulteri_, a fine Californian plant, with large white
flowers on shoots often as high as 7 ft.; _R. trichocalyx_ is similar.
Both require very warm, sunny spots and rich, sandy soil, and should
not be disturbed often.
_Rudbeckia._--Bold-habited composite plants, well suited for shrubbery
borders, and thriving in light loamy soil. The flower-heads have a
dark-coloured elevated disk. _R. Drummondii_, 2 to 3 ft., with the
ray-florets reflexed, yellow at the tip and purplish-brown towards the
base; _R. fulgida_, 2 ft. golden-yellow with dark chocolate disk, the
flower-heads 2 to 3 in. across; and _R. speciosa_, 2 to 3 ft.,
orange-yellow with blackish-purple disk, the flower-heads 3 to 4 in.
across, are showy plants.
_Sagittaria._--Graceful water or marsh plants with hastate leaves, and
tuberous, running and fibrous roots. _S. japonica plena_; _S.
lancifolia_, _S. macrophylla_ and _S. sagittifolia_, are among the
best kinds, all with white flowers.
_Salvia._--The Sage, a large genus of labiates, often very handsome,
but sometimes too tender for English winters. _S. Sclarea_, 5 to 6
ft., is a very striking plant little more than a biennial, with
branched panicles of bluish flowers issuing from rosy-coloured bracts;
_S. patens_, 2 ft., which is intense azure, has tuberous roots, and
may be taken up, stored away and replanted in spring like a dahlia.
_S. pratensis_, 2 ft., blue, a showy native species, is quite hardy;
the variety lupinoides has the centre of the lower lip white.
_Saxifraga._--A very large genus of rock and border plants of easy
culture. The Megasea group, to which _S. ligulata_, _S. cordifolia_
and _S. crassifolia_ belong, are early-flowering kinds of great
beauty, with fleshy leaves and large cymose clusters of flowers of
various shades of rose, red and purple. Another very distinct group
with silvery foliage--the crustaceous group--contains some of our
choicest Alpines. Of these _S. caesia_, _S. calyciflora_, _S.
Cotyledon_ are among the best known. Some of the species look more
like lichens than flowering plants. The green moss-like saxifrages are
also a very distinct group, with dense tufted leaves which appear
greener in winter than in summer. The flowers are borne on erect
branching stems and are chiefly white in colour. _Saxifraga umbrosa_
(London Pride) and _S. Geum_ belong to still another group, and are
valuable alike on border and rockery. _S. peltata_ is unique owing to
its large peltate leaves, often 1 ft. to 18 in. across, with stalks 1
to 2 ft. long. Flowers in April, white or pinkish. Likes plenty of
water and a moist peaty soil or marshy place. _S. sarmentosa_, the
well-known "mother of thousands," is often grown as a pot plant in
cottagers' windows.
_Scilla._--Beautiful dwarf bulbous plants, thriving in well-worked
sandy loam, or sandy peat. _S. bifolia_, 3 in., and _S. sibirica_, 4
in., both intense blue, are among the most charming of early spring
flowers; _S. patula_, 6 to 8 in., and _S. campanulata_, 1 ft., with
tubular greyish-blue flowers, freely produced, are fine border plants,
as is the later-blooming _S. peruviana_, 6 to 8 in., dark blue or
white.
_Sedum._--Pretty succulent plants of easy growth, and mostly suitable
for rockwork. They are numerous, varied in the colour of both leaves
and foliage, and mostly of compact tufted growth. _S. spectabile_, 1
to 1(1/2) ft., pink, in great cymose heads, is a fine plant for the
borders, and worthy also of pot-culture for greenhouse decoration.
Mention may also be made of the common _S. acre_ (Stonecrop), 3 in.,
yellow, and its variety with yellow-tipped leaves.
_Sempervivum._--House-Leek. Neat-growing, succulent plants, forming
rosettes of fleshy leaves close to the ground, and rapidly increasing
by runner-like offsets; they are well adapted for rockwork, and do
best in sandy soil. The flowers are stellate, cymose, on stems rising
from the heart of the leafy rosettes. _S. arachnoideum_, purplish, _S.
arenarium_, yellow, _S. globiferum_ and _S. Laggeri_, rose, grow when
in flower 3 to 6 in. high; _S. calcareum_, rose colour, and _S.
Boutignianum_, pale rose, both have glaucous leaves tipped with
purple; _S. Heuffelii_, yellow, with deep chocolate leaves, and _S.
Wulfeni_, sulphur-yellow, are from 8 to 12 in. high.
_Senecio._--A large genus with comparatively few good garden plants.
Large and coarse-growing kinds like _S. Doria_, _S. macrophyllus_ and
_S. sarracenicus_ are good for rough places; all yellow-flowered. _S.
pulcher_ is a charming plant, 2 to 3 ft. high, with rosy-purple
flower-heads, having a bright orange centre. It likes a warm corner
and moist soil. _S. clivorum_, from China, has large roundish leaves
and orange-yellow flowers. It flourishes near water and in damp
places.
_Shortia._--_S. galacifolia_, a beautiful tufted plant 2 to 3 in.
high, with roundish crenate leaves, on long stalks, and white
funnel-shaped flowers in March and April. _S. uniflora_ from Japan is
closely related. The leaves of both assume rich purple-red tints in
autumn. Warm sunny situations and rich sandy loam and peat are
required.
_Silene._--Pretty caryophyllaceous plants, preferring sandy loam, and
well adapted for rockwork. _S. alpestris_, 6 in., white, and _S.
quadridentata_, 4 in., white, are beautiful tufted plants for rockwork
or the front parts of borders; _S. maritima flore-pleno_, 6 in.,
white, _S. Elizabethae_, 4 in., bright rose, and _S. Schafta_, 6 in.,
purplish-rose, are also good kinds.
_Sisyrinchium._--Pretty dwarf iridaceous plants, thriving in peaty
soil. _S. grandiflorum_, 10 in., deep purple or white, blooms about
April, and is a fine plant for pot-culture in cold frames.
_Sparaxis._--Graceful bulbous plants from South Africa. _S.
grandiflora_, with deep violet-purple, and _S. tricolor_, with rich
orange-red, flowers are best known. _S. pulcherrima_, a lovely
species, 3 to 6 ft. high, with drooping blood-red blossoms, is now
referred to the genus _Dierama_. A warm, light, but rich soil in
sheltered spots required.
_Spiraea._--Vigorous growing plants of great beauty, preferring good,
deep, rather moist soil; the flowers small but very abundant, in large
corymbose or spicate panicles. _S. Aruncus_, 4 ft., white; _S.
astilbioides_, 2 ft., white; _S. Filipendula_, 1(1/2) ft., and _S.
Ulmaria_, 3 ft., both white; _S. palmata_, 2 ft., rosy-crimson; and
_S. venusta_, 3 ft., carmine rose, are some of the best.
_Statice._--Pretty plants with broad, radical leaves, and a
much-branched inflorescence of numerous small flowers. _S. latifolia_,
2 ft., greyish-blue; _S. tatarica_, 1 ft., lavender-pink; _S.
speciosa_, 1(1/2) ft., rose colour; and _S. eximia_, 1(1/2) ft.,
rosy-lilac--are good border plants. _S. bellidifolia_, 9 in.,
lavender; _S. emarginata_, 6 in., purple; _S. globulariaefolia_, 9
in., white; and _S. nana_, 4 in.--are good sorts for the rockery.
_Stenactis._--_S. speciosa_, 1 to 2 ft., is a showy composite, of easy
culture in good garden soil; it produces large corymbs of
flower-heads, with numerous narrow blue ray-florets surrounding the
yellow disk. Now more generally known as Erigeron.
_Stipa._--_S. pennata_ (Feather Grass), 1(1/2) ft., is a very
graceful-habited grass, with stiff slender erect leaves, and long
feathery awns to the seeds.
_Stokesia._--_S. cyanea_, 2 ft., is a grand, autumn-flowering,
composite plant, with blue flower-heads, 4 in. across. Sandy loam and
warm situation.
_Symphytum._--Rather coarse-growing but showy boraginaceous plants,
succeeding in ordinary soil. _S. caucasicum_, 2 ft., with blue flowers
changing to red, is one of the finer kinds for early summer blooming.
_Thalictrum._--Free-growing but rather weedy ranunculaceous plants, in
many cases having elegantly cut foliage. _T. aquilegifolium_, 2 ft.,
purplish from the conspicuous stamens, the leaves glaucous, is a good
border plant; and _T. minus_ has foliage somewhat resembling that of
the Maidenhair fern. Ordinary garden soil.
_Tiarella._--_T. cordifolia_, the foam flower, is very ornamental in
border or rockery. Leaves heart-shaped lobed and toothed; flowers
white starry; ordinary garden soil.
_Tigridia._--Lovely bulbous plants called tiger flowers, useful in the
warmest parts of the kingdom for the border in rich but gritty soil.
_T. Pavonia_, the peacock tiger flower, from Mexico, grows 1 to 2 ft.
high, with plaited sword-like leaves, and large flowers about 6 in.
across, having zones of violet and yellow blotched with purple and
tipped with scarlet. There are many varieties, all charming.
_Trillium._--_T. grandiflorum_, the wood-lily of North America, is the
finest. It has large white flowers and grows freely in peaty soil in
shady borders. There are several other species, some with purplish
flowers.
_Tritonia._--A genus of South African plants with fibrous-coated corms
or solid bulbs, often known as montbretas. _T. crocata_, 2 ft.,
orange-yellow, _T. crocosmiaeflora_, 2 to 2(1/2) ft., orange-scarlet,
and _T. Pottsi_, 3 to 4 ft., bright yellow, are the best-known
varieties, of which there are many subsidiary ones, some being very
large and free in flowering. A rich, gritty soil, and warm, sunny
situations are best for these plants.
_Triteleia._--Charming spring-flowering bulbs, thriving in any good
sandy soil. _T. Murrayana_, 8 in., lavender-blue, and _T. uniflora_,
6 in., white, are both pretty plants of the easiest culture, either
for borders or rockeries.
_Tritoma._--Splendid stoutish-growing plants of noble aspect,
familiarly known as the Poker plant, from their erect, rigid spikes of
flame-coloured flowers; sometimes called Kniphofia. _T. Uvaria_, 3 to
4 ft., bright orange-red, passing to yellow in the lower flowers, is a
fine autumnal decorative plant. They should be protected from frosts
by a covering of ashes over the crown during winter.
_Trollius._--Showy ranunculaceous plants, of free growth, flowering
about May and June. _T. europaeus_, 18 in., lemon globular; _T.
asiaticus_, 2 ft., deep yellow; and _T. napellifolius_, 2 to 2(1/2) ft.,
golden yellow, are all fine showy kinds. Rich and rather moist soil.
_Tulipa._--Splendid dwarfish bulbs, thriving in deep, sandy,
well-enriched garden soil, and increased by offsets. They bloom during
the spring and early summer months. _T. Gesneriana_, the parent of the
florists' tulip, 12 to 18 in., crimson and other colours; _T.
Eichleri_, 1 ft., crimson with dark spot; _T. Greigi_, 1 ft., orange
with dark spot edged with yellow, and having dark spotted leaves; _T.
oculus solis_, 1 ft., scarlet with black centre; and _T. sylvestris_,
12 to 18 in., bright yellow, are showy kinds.
_Veratrum._--Distinct liliaceous plants with bold ornamental leaves
regularly folded and plaited. _V. album_, 3 to 5 ft., has whitish
blossoms in dense panicles, 1 to 2 ft. long. _V. nigrum_, 2 to 3 ft.,
has blackish-purple flowers, also _V. Maacki_, 2 ft. Rich sandy loam
and peat.
_Verbascum._--Showy border flowers of erect spire-like habit, of the
easiest culture. _V. Chaixii_, 4 to 5 ft., yellow, in large pyramidal
panicles; _V. phoeniceum_, 3 ft., rich purple or white; and _V.
formosum_, 6 ft., golden yellow in dense panicles, are desirable
species.
_Veronica._--The Speedwell family, containing many ornamental members;
all the hardy species are of the easiest cultivation in ordinary
garden soil. The rotate flowers are in close, erect spikes, sometimes
branched. _V. crassifolia_, 2 ft., dark blue; _V. incarnata_, 1(1/2)
ft., flesh-colour; _V. corymbosa_, 1(1/2) ft., pale blue in
corymbosely-arranged racemes; _V. gentianoides_, 2 ft., grey with blue
streaks; _V. spicata_, blue, and its charming white variety _alba_;
and _V. virginica_, 5 ft., white, are distinct.
_Vinca._--Periwinkle. Pretty rock plants, growing freely in ordinary
soil. _V. herbacea_, of creeping habit, with purplish-blue flowers;
_V. minor_, of trailing habit, blue; and _V. major_, 1 to 2 ft. high,
also trailing, are suitable for the rock garden. The last two are
evergreen, and afford varieties which differ in the colour of their
flowers, while some are single and others double.
_Viola._--Violet. Charming dwarf plants, mostly evergreen and of
tufted habit, requiring well-worked rich sandy soil. _V. calcarata_, 6
in., light blue; _V. cornuta_, 6 to 8 in., blue; _V. lutea_, 4 in.,
yellow; _V. altaica_, 6 in., yellow or violet with yellow eye; _V.
palmaensis_, 6 to 8 in., lavender-blue; _V. pedata_, 6 in., pale blue;
and _V. odorata_, the Sweet Violet, in its many single and double
flowered varieties, are all desirable.
_Yucca._--Noble subarborescent liliaceous plants, which should be
grown in every garden. They do well in light, well-drained soils, and
have a close family resemblance, the inflorescence being a panicle of
white, drooping, tulip-shaped flowers, and the foliage rosulate,
sword-shaped and spear-pointed. Of the more shrubby-habited sorts _Y.
gloriosa_, _recurvifolia_ and _Treculeana_ are good and distinct; and
of the dwarfer and more herbaceous sorts _Y. filamentosa_, _flaccida_
and _angustifolia_ are distinct and interesting kinds, the first two
flowering annually.
The taste for cultivation of the class of plants, of which the
foregoing list embraces some of the more prominent members, is on the
increase, and gardens will benefit by its extension.
HARDY TREES AND SHRUBS.--Much of the beauty of the pleasure garden
depends upon the proper selection and disposition of ornamental trees
and shrubs. We can only afford space here for lists of some of the
better and more useful and ornamental trees and shrubs, old and new.
The following list, which is not exhaustive, furnishes material from
which a selection may be made to suit various soils and situations.
The shrubs marked * are climbers.
_Hardy Deciduous Trees._
Acer--Maple. Larix--Larch.
Aesculus--Horse-Chestnut. Liriodendron--Tulip-tree.
Ailantus--Tree of Heaven. Magnolia.
Alnus--Alder. Morus--Mulberry.
Amygdalus--Almond. Negundo--Box-Elder.
Betula--Birch. Ostrya--Hop Hornbeam.
Carpinus--Hornbeam. Paulownia.
Carya--Hickory. Planera.
Castanea--Sweet Chestnut. Platanus--Plane.
Catalpa. Populus--Poplar.
Celtis--Nettle Tree. Prunus (Plums, Cherries, &c.).
Cercis--Judas Tree. Ptelea--Hop Tree.
Cotoneaster (some species). Pyrus--Pear, &c.
Crataegus--Thorn. Quercus--Oak.
Davidia. Rhus--Sumach.
Diospyros. Robinia--Locust Tree.
Fagus--Beech. Salix--Willow.
Fraxinus--Ash. Sophora.
Ginkgo--Maidenhair Tree. Taxodium--Deciduous Cypress.
Gleditschia--Honey Locust. Tilia--Lime.
Gymnocladus--Kentucky Coffee Tree. Ulmus--Elm.
Juglans--Walnut. Virgilia.
Kolreuteria. Xanthoceras.
Laburnum.
_Hardy Evergreen Trees._
Abies--Silver Fir. Libocedrus.
Araucaria--Chili Pine. Magnolia grandiflora.
Arbutus--Strawberry Tree. Picea--Spruce Fir.
Biota--Arbor Vitae. Pinus--Pine.
Buxus--Box. Quercus Ilex--Holm-Oak.
Cedrus--Cedar. Retinospora.
Cephalotaxus. Sciadopitys--Umbrella Pine.
Cryptomeria--Japan Cedar. Sequoia (Wellingtonia).
Cupressus--Cypress. Taxus--Yew.
Ilex--Holly. Thuiopsis.
Juniperus--Juniper. Thuya--Arbor Vitae.
Laurus--Bay Laurel. Tsuga.
_Hardy Deciduous Shrubs._
Abelia. Halesia--Snowdrop Tree.
Acer--Maple. Hamamelis--Wych Hazel.
Amelanchier. Hibiscus--Althaea frutex, &c.
Ampelopsis.* Hippophae--Sea Buckthorn.
Amygdalopsis. Hypericum--St John's Wort.
Aralia. Jasminum*--Jasmine.
Aristolochia.* Kerria.
Berberis--Berberry. Lonicera*--Honeysuckle.
Bignonia*--Trumpet Flower. Lycium.*
Buddleia. Magnolia.
Calophaca. Menispermum*--Moonseed.
Calycanthus--Carolina Allspice. Periploca.*
Caragana. Philadelphus--Mock Orange.
Chimonanthus. Rhus--Wig Tree, &c.
Clematis.* Ribes--Flowering Currant.
Colutea--Bladder Senna. Robinia--Rose Acacia, &c.
Cornus--Dogwood. Rosa--Rose.
Cotoneaster (some species). Rubus*--Bramble.
Crataegus--Thorn. Spartium--Spanish Broom.
Cydonia--Japan Quince. Spiraea.
Cytisus--Broom, &c. Staphylaea--Bladder-Nut.
Daphne. Symphoricarpus--Snowberry.
Deutzia. Syringa--Lilac.
Edwardsia. Tamarix--Tamarisk.
Euonymus europaeus--Spindle Tree. Viburnum--Guelder Rose, &c.
Forsythia. Vitis*--Vine.
Fremontia. Weigela.
Genista.
_Hardy Evergreen Shrubs._
Akebia.* Hedera*--Ivy.
Arbutus. Hypericum--St John's Wort.
Aucuba--Japan Laurel. Ilex--Holly.
Azara. Jasminum*--Jasmine.
Bambusa--Bamboo. Kadsura.*
Berberidopsis.* Lardizabala.*
Berberis--Berberry. Laurus--Sweet Bay.
Buddleia. Ligustrum--Privet.
Bupleurum. Lonicera*--Honeysuckle.
Buxus--Box. Osmanthus.
Ceanothus. Pernettya.
Cerasus--Cherry-Laurel, &c. Phillyrea.
Cistus-Sun-Rose. Photinia.
Cotoneaster. Rhamnus Alaternus.
Crataegus Pyracantha--Fire Thorn. Rhododendron--Rose-Bay.
Daphne. Rosa*--Rose.
Desfontainea. Ruscus.
Elaeagnus--Oleaster. Skimmia.
Erica--Heath. Smilax.*
Escallonia. Stauntonia.*
Euonymus. Ulex--Furze.
Fabiana. Viburnum--Laurustinus.
Fatsia (Aralia). Vinca--Periwinkle.
Garrya. Yucca--Adam's Needle.
Griselinia.
BEDDING PLANTS.--This term is chiefly applied to those
summer-flowering plants, such as ivy-leaved and zonal pelargoniums,
petunias, dwarf lobelias, verbenas, &c., which are employed in masses
for filling the beds of a geometrical parterre. Of late years,
however, more attention has been bestowed on arrangements of brilliant
flowering plants with those of fine foliage, and the massing also of
hardy early-blooming plants in parterre fashion has been very greatly
extended. Bedding plants thrive best in a light loam, liberally
manured with thoroughly rotten dung from an old hotbed or thoroughly
decomposed cow droppings and leaf-mould.
_Spring Bedding._--For this description of bedding, hardy plants only
must be used; but even then the choice is tolerably extensive. For
example, there are the Alyssums, of which _A. saxatile_ and _A.
gemonense_ are in cultivation; _Antennaria tomentosa_; the double
white _Arabis albida_; Aubrietias, of which the best sorts are _A.
Campbelliae_ and _A. grandiflora_; the double _Bellis perennis_ or
Daisy; the Wallflowers, including _Cheiranthus Cheiri_ (the Common
Wallflower), _C. alpina_ and _C. Marshallii_; Hepaticas, the principal
of which are the varieties of _H. triloba_, and the blue _H.
angulosa_; Iberis or Candytuft; _Lithospermum fruticosum_; Myosotis or
Forget-me-not, including _M. alpestris_, _M. dissitiflora_, _M.
azorica_ and _M. sylvestris_; Phloxes, like _P. subulata_, with its
varieties _setacea_, _Nelsoni_, _nivalis_; the single-flowered
varieties of the Primrose, _Primula vulgaris_; the Polyanthuses;
_Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_, called Golden Feather; _Sempervivum
calcareum_; the pink-flowered _Silene pendula_; self-coloured
varieties of the Pansy, _V. tricolor_, and of _V. lutea_ and _V.
cornuta_, as well as some recent hybrids. Besides these there are the
various spring-flowering bulbs, such as the varieties of Hyacinthus,
Tulipa, Narcissus, Fritillaria, Muscari or Grape Hyacinth, Crocus,
Scilla, Chionodoxa and Galanthus or Snowdrop.
_Summer Bedding._--There is great variety amongst the plants which are
used for bedding-out in the garden during the summer months, but we
can note only some of the most important of them. Amongst them are the
Ageratums, the old tall-growing sorts of which have been superseded by
dwarfer blue and white flowered varieties; Alternantheras, the
principal of which are _A. amoena_, _amoena spectabilis_, _magnifica_,
_paronychioides major aurea_ and _amabilis_; _Alyssum maritimum
variegatum_; some of the dwarf varieties of _Antirrhinum majus_;
_Arundo Donax variegata_; Begonias; Calceolarias; Cannas; _Centaurea
ragusina_; Clematises, of which the hybrids of the _Jackmanni_ type
are best; _Dahlia variabilis_, and the single-flowered forms of _D.
coccinea_; Echeverias, of which _E. secunda_ and _E. metallica_ are
much employed; Gazanias; Heliotropes; Iresines; Lantanas; Lobelias;
_Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum_; Pelargoniums, of which the
various classes of zonal or bedding varieties are unapproachable for
effect and general utility; Petunias; Phloxes; _Polemonium coeruleum
variegatum_; _Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_, the well-known Golden
Feather, especially useful as an edging to define the outline of beds
upon grass; Tropaeolums, especially some of the varieties of _T.
Lobbianum_; and Verbenas, the offspring of _Tweedieana_,
_chamaedrifolia_ and others. Few bulbs come into the summer flower
gardens, but amongst those which should always be well represented are
the Gladiolus, the Lilium, the Tigridia and the Montbretia.
_Subtropical Bedding._--Foliage and the less common flowering plants
may be used either in masses of one kind, or in groups arranged for
contrast, or as the centres of groups of less imposing or of
dwarfer-flowering subjects; or they may be planted as single specimens
in appropriate open spaces, in recesses, or as distant striking
objects terminating a vista.
_Carpet Bedding_ consists in covering the surface of a bed, or a
series of beds forming a design, with close, low-growing plants, in
which certain figures are brought out by means of plants of a
different habit or having different coloured leaves. Sometimes, in
addition to the carpet or ground colour, individual plants of larger
size and handsome appearance are dotted symmetrically over the beds,
an arrangement which is very telling. Some of the best plants for
carpeting the surface of the beds are: _Antennaria tomentosa_ and
_Leucophytum Browni_, white; _Sedum acre_, _dasyphyllum_, _corsicum_
and _glaucum_, grey; and _Sedum Lydium_, _Mentha Pulegium
gibraltarica_, _Sagina subulata_ and _Herniaria glabra_, green. The
Alternantheras, Amaranthuses, Iresines and _Coleus Verschaffelti_
furnish high and warm colours; while _Pyrethrum Parthenium aureum_
yields greenish-yellow: _Thymus citriodorus aureus_, yellowish;
_Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum_, creamy yellow; Centaureas
and others, white; _Lobelia Erinus_, blue; and the succulent
Echeverias and Sempervivums, glaucous rosettes, which last add much to
the general effect. In connexion with the various designs such fine
plants as _Agave americana_, _Dracaena indivisa_ are often used as
centre-pieces.
GREENHOUSE PLANTS.--These are plants requiring the shelter of a glass
house, provided with a moderate degree of heat, of which 45 deg. Fahr.
may be taken as the minimum in winter. The house should be opened for
ventilation in all mild weather in winter, and daily throughout the
rest of the year. The following is a select list of genera of
miscellaneous decorative plants (orchids, palms and ferns excluded;
climbers are denoted by *; bulbous and tuberous plants by +):
Abutilon Coleus Lachenalia+
Acacia Coprosma Lantana
Agapanthus Cordyline Lapageria*
Agathaea Correa Lilium+
Agave Cuphea Lophospermum*
Alonsoa Cyclamen+ Mandevillea*
Aloysia Cyperus Manettia*
Amaryllis+ Cytisus Mutisia*
Ardisia Darwinia (Genetyllis) Myrsiphyllum*
Asparagus Diosma Maurandya*
Aspidistra Dracaena Nerine+
Asystasia (Mackaya) Eccremocarpus* Nerium
Azalea Epacris Pelargonium
Bauera Epiphyllum Petunia
Begonia+ Erica Pimelia
Blandfordia Eriostemon Plumbago*
Bomarea* Erythrina Polianthes+
Boronia Eucalyptus Primula
Bougainvillea* Eupatorium Rhododendron
Bouvardia Eurya Richardia (Calla)+
Brugmansia Ficus Salvia
Calceolaria Fuchsia Sarracenia
Camellia Grevillea Solanum
Campanula Haemanthus+ Sparmannia
Canna Heliotropium Statice
Celosia Hibiscus Strelitzia
Cestrum* Hoya* Streptocarpus
Chorizema* Hydrangea Swainsonia
Chrysanthemum Impatiens Tacsonia*
Cineraria Jasminum* Tecoma
Clianthus Justicia Tradescantia
Clivia Kalosanthes Vallota+
Cobaea*
STOVE PLANTS.--For the successful culture of stove plants two houses
at least, wherein different temperatures can be maintained, should be
devoted to their growth. The minimum temperature during winter should
range at night from about 55 deg. in the cooler to 65 deg. in the
warmer house, and from 65 deg. to 75 deg. by day, allowing a few
degrees further rise by sun heat. In summer the temperature may range
10 deg. higher by artificial heat, night and day, and will often by
sun heat run up to 90 deg. or even 95 deg., beyond which it should be
kept down by ventilation and frequent syringing and damping down of
the pathways. During the growing period the atmosphere must be kept
moist by damping the walls and pathways, and by syringing the plants
according to their needs; when growth is completed less moisture will
be necessary. Watering, which, except during the resting period,
should generally be copious, is best done in the forenoon; while
syringing should be done early in the morning before the sun becomes
too powerful, and late in the afternoon to admit of the foliage drying
moderately before night. The following is a select list of genera of
stove plants (climbers are denoted by *, bulbous and tuberous plants
by +):
Acalypha Cyanophyllum (Miconia) Musa
Achimenes+ Cycas Nelumbium+
Aeschynanthus Dieffenbachia Nepenthes
Allamanda* Dipladenia* Nymphaea+
Alocasia+ Dracaena Oxera*
Amaryllis+ Eranthemum Pancratium+
Anthurium Eucharis+ Pandanus
Aphelandra Euphorbia Passiflora*
Aralia Ficus Pavetta
Ardisia Franciscea Petraea*
Arisaema+ Gardenia Pleroma*
Aristolochia* Gesnera Poinsettia
Ataccia Gloriosa* Rondeletia
Begonia Gloxinia+ Sanchezia
Bertolonia Heliconia+ Schubertia*
Bignonia* Hoffmannia Scutellaria
Bromeliads Ipomaea* Stephanotis
Cactus Ixora Tabernaemontana
Caladium+ Jacobinia Terminalia
Calathea Jasminum* Thunbergia
Centropogon Luculia Torenia
Cissus* Maranta Thyrsacanthus
Clerodendron* Medinilla Tydaea
Crinum+ Meyenia Vinca
Codiaeum (Croton)
ORCHIDS.--For the successful cultivation of a mixed collection of
tropical orchids, it is necessary that two or three houses, in which
different temperatures can be maintained, should be provided. The
greater number of them are epiphytes or plants that grow on others
without absorbing nourishment from them, and heat and moisture afford
all or nearly all the nourishment they require. At one time it was
thought the plants themselves were better for being associated with
such objects as ferns and palms, but they are best grown by
themselves.
The East Indian orchid house takes in those species which are found in
the warm parts of the eastern hemisphere, as well as those from the
hottest parts of the western, and its temperature should range from
about 70 deg. to 80 deg. during the summer or growing season and from
65 deg. to 70 deg. during winter. The Mexican or Brazilian orchid
house accommodates the plants from the warm parts of South America,
and its temperature should range from about 65 deg. to 75 deg. during
summer and from 60 deg. to 65 deg. in winter. A structure called the
cool orchid house is set apart for the accommodation of the many
lovely mountain species from South America and India, such as
_odontoglossums_, _masdevallias_, &c., and in this the more uniform
the temperature can be kept the better, that in summer varying between
60 deg. and 65 deg., and in winter from 45 deg. to 60 deg. A genial
moist atmosphere must be kept up in the hottest houses during the
growing season, with a free circulation of air admitted very
cautiously by well-guarded ventilators. In winter, when the plants are
at rest, little water will be necessary; but in the case of those
plants which have no fleshy pseudobulbs to fall back upon for
sustenance, they must not be suffered to become so dry as to cause the
leaves to shrivel. In the Mexican house the plants will generally be
able to withstand greater drought occasionally, being greatly assisted
by their thick pseudobulbs. In the cool or odontoglossum house a
considerable degree of moisture must be maintained at all times, for
in these the plants keep growing more or less continuously.
For potting or basketing purposes, or for plants requiring
block-culture, the materials used are light fibrous peat, special
leaf-mould, osmunda or polypodium fibre and living sphagnum moss,
which supply free drainage for the copious supply of water required.
Good turfy loam is also used for some, such as _cypripediums_ and
_calanthes_. Indeed the composts now used are varied considerably
according to the particular group of orchids. The water should,
however, be so used as not to run down into the sheathing bases of the
leaves. While in flower, orchids may with advantage be removed to a
drier and cooler situation, and may be utilized in the drawing-room or
boudoir. Of late years not only have many fine hybrids been raised
artificially between various species, but some remarkable bigeneric
hybrids (between what are considered two distinct genera) have also
been produced (indicated in the list below by *). To keep a valuable
collection of orchids in good condition requires the services of an
expert orchid grower.