Sent out in this country for the first time in 1880, is said to be "one
of the most magnificent ornamental foliage plants ever introduced, and
altogether unique in character and aspect. It is a native of Western
Tropical Africa. The plant is of erect habit, and the stems are closely
set with stalked spreading leaves, the petioles of which are of a
grayish color, terete with a narrow furrow along the upper side, the
base being dilated and sheathing the stem. The blade of leaf is marbled
and irregularly banded with dark green and silver gray in alternate
straight bands, the colors being about equally distributed. The back of
the unfolded leaves is a pale reddish-purple or wine color, and the
stem, where visible. It is, without doubt, one of the most superb of
ornamental stove plants."
When first sent out in London in 1878, its price was from five to ten
guineas per plant. We do not know the price in this country. Mr. H. A.
Dreer who has an illustration of it in his catalogue, furnishes the
price only on application, which is evidence that it is costly. From the
type given, it must be exceedingly handsome, and wholly unlike any
Dracæna before offered in America.
Dracænas, as we have noticed before, are particularly desirable house
plants, keeping in good condition for a long time, even in rooms where
gas is burned--places so unsuited to most plants. They are liable to
attacks of the Mealy Bug and the Red Spider if neglected, but the
syringing and sponging advised for them will effectually prevent their
gaining a foothold if frequently and thoroughly performed. After a year
or two the plants begin to lose their lower leaves, and to get leggy, a
state of things quite undesirable, as the beauty and effectiveness of
the plants depend upon their being furnished with leaves down to the
base of the stem. When the plants have become unsightly from the loss of
their leaves, they can be renewed very quickly by a simple process. Cut
a notch in the stem, on one side, just below the lowest good leaves, and
take out a piece of the wood, then do the same on the other side of the
stem, but not exactly opposite the first notch. The object is to check
the flow of sap at this point and yet allow enough of it to pass to
maintain the head. Having cut the notches, take some moss or sphagnum
and bind about the stem, covering the incisions and fastening it on
securely with twine or fine wire; the moss is to be kept gently moist,
and in the course of two weeks will have thrown out young roots above
the notches. The head can now be severed from the stem and potted in a
medium-sized pot. After keeping it a few days in the shade, it can be
gradually brought out into the full light, and will be found to be
established.
Dracænas may also be multiplied by removing the thick, fleshy root that
may usually be found in the base of the plant. Those tuberous roots can
be potted, and if kept in a warm place will soon start and make new
plants. When plants are re-potted a favorable opportunity is offered for
taking off these roots, for the roots of the old plants are actively at
work and, with the fresh soil they receive, will soon recover from any
slight check they may have received.
The most rapid method of propagating this plant is by cuttings of the
stem; the stem may be cut into pieces an inch in length, and those
pieces split in two, and all of those bits will root and become plants.
They should be placed in a light, sandy soil, and given a brisk bottom
heat of 70° or 80° degrees. They will break and start into growth in a
few days.--_Vick's Magazine._
So fully does the foregoing express all that is needful regarding the
Dracæna, we have thought best to give it entire. We might greatly
enlarge on the subject of Ornamental Foliage Plants, and speak of the
beautiful Palms, so fine for decorative purposes, the pretty Ferns and
elegant Aralias, of which latter "_Sieboldi_ is a capital house plant,
so enduring that it will live and keep its beautiful dark green color
for weeks almost in the dark." Then there is the Euonymus, so bright
with its glossy green leaves, long a favorite whether for the border or
window garden. _Argentea_ has striped foliage, and _Japonicas aurea_ has
its dark green foliage diversified with golden variegations. _Bicolor_,
foliage almost white, and _Tricolor_, a rarer form, is marked with pink
and white.
With the numerous varieties we have named, it will be apparent how
ornamental our gardens, whether within doors or without, may be made by
plants, the beauty of which is wholly independent of flowers, and they
do wonderfully enhance the effect of the bloomers. The Centaureas and
Cinerarias with their deeply lobed leaves of white, are too well known
to need any special mention. We do not intend however to pass so lightly
over another stately and highly ornamental genus that comes within the
reach of everyone. Ricinus, the seed of which can be purchased for a
dime, are magnificent in foliage, and when combined with the brilliant
colored fruit of the giant varieties, the effect is very oriental.
Ricinus _Africanus albidus_ is of recent introduction. It is white
fruited, and the stems and leaves are silvery; height eight feet.
_Borbaniensis arboreus_ has very large and showy foliage; height fifteen
feet. _Communis_ is the Castor Oil Plant. _Sanguineus_ (Obermanii) bears
splendid red fruit in clusters, and is very ornamental. A species from
Phillippines has gigantic foliage; height ten feet. These can be
purchased in separate or mixed packets, and we advise everyone who has a
bit of ground to try them. We will close with