~ NOISETTE ROSE—‘‘ WILLIAM ALLEN RICHARDSON ”’
*/, Nat. size {
VOL. IIl.—Front.
FAVOURITE FLOWERS |
OF
GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
BY
EDWARD STGP) FS:
THE CULTURAL DIRECTIONS EDtlreD oT WILLIAM WATSON, F.R.H.S.
ASSISTANT CURATOR, ROYAL GARDENS, KEW
ILLUSTRATED WITH Three Hundred and Sixteen Colowred Plates SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY D. BOIS
Sonor eee ASSISTANT DE LA CHAIRE DE CULTURE AU MUSEUM D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE DE PARIS
VOL 1 [-)
Mo. Bot. (Garren, 1897.
LONDON FREDERICK WARNE & GO. AND NEW YORK 1897
[All Rights Reserved]
Be Pe SS See see fos SRE Se iy hn aoe
|
an ee Ee ee
CONTENTS
VOLUME II ———~+--——_ OrpeR ROSACEA aaa Rosrs ov ed) Genus Rosa
E ; Kerri Ware Kennra ‘ Polyps BRAMB » Rubus sipereoni PLUM, AND CHERRY
TREE » Prunus APPLE AND “PEAR TREES - yrus THORNS é » Crategus PHOTINIAS » Photinia INDIAN Benions » Rhaphiolepis AMELANCHIERS . a melanchier JOTONEASTERS 5, Cotoneaster CINQUEFOILS 5 Potentilla
: ‘ a Geum
Orper SAXTFRAGEA— SAXIFRAGES ; » Saxifraga ] ina - hale DEUTZIA Ded ; d fein Sprrea as Autilbe : Seas OF PARNAS os St SYRINGA sl Mock ‘Oxaiten i Philadelphous E casos ‘ 5 LEsecallonia FLOWERING ‘Oomnaxes : >» Leibes
OrpeR CRASSULACEA—
ASSULAS . » Rochea SICKLE CRASSULA » Crassu CoryLEpoNs » Cotyledo STONECROPS » seaum . HousELEEKS 9 Sempervivum
OrpER MYRTACEAL— MyRrTLE ; » Meru . Sime i e mega NATE ; » Leics . ane Looststinres é » Lythrum. lea ; » Cuphea . ORDER a Witiow Heres . ‘ y» Epilobium ete » Clarkia . Evening PRIMKOsES “AND.
Gop » Cnothera Fucnstas ‘ » Fuchsia GauRas .
Gaura . Vv
vi CONTENTS OF VOLUME II
Orper LOASEX— Cuitt Nerrurs . MENTZELIAS ‘
Orprr PASSIFLOREA—
ASSION-FLOWERS
Orper BEGONIACER— BrEGonias : s
OrDER CACTEA—
EPreayiiums
InpIAN Figs anp PRICKLY Pears. $ 2
OrperR FICOIDER Fia Maricoxps .
ORDER UMBELLIFERE— MBELLIFEROUS FLowERs
ORDER ARALIACER— : Farsras . :
ARALIAS . Ivizs :
ORDER CAPRIFOLIACER_ Honeysucxr ‘ :
Diervinias
GUELDER RosE AND LauRgEs- TINE , 5 ;
ORDER RUBIACER— Bovuvarpras ‘ Ixoras , Crossworts
” GARDENIAS
ti VALERIANER—
PUR VALERIANS ORDER DIPSACER ORDER COMPOSITA_
AGERATUMS a GoLprEn Rops
Swan River Daistrs Dovsie Daistes
AHLIAS ,
~ 7
Genus Loasa
Mentzelia Passtflora Begonia . Mamillaria
Cer ‘ Epiphyllum Opuntia . Mesembryanthemum Various Genera . Fatsia
Aralia
Hedera
Lonicera Diervilla Viburnum Bouvardia
Izora
Asperula
u Phuopsis é
Gardenia Centranthus Scabiosa .
Sol
Ageratum idago
@ a
Te ee ee
ORDEI
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II
LEOPARD’s- BANE 3
ATRIS CAULFUSS ‘ OpOLE
:
j 3UPHTHALMUMS . ‘ SANVITALIAS TANS
< \ r BUTTER-BUR 4
ATHANASIAS | ONAS . i
WAITZIAS
AMMOBIUMS
[UMEAS . \: Mountain Tospaccos
POLYMNIAS
ORDER in al rat Dam
eed aus LescHENAULTIAS.
Rk COMPOSITA eee en M Genus Cosmos he tes
oo _ A > Bw Rot Ee Py = > wa > > “2m oe by = Q = fH - & =) n
: Seow BvEnLASriNes |
_ Crepis
Rudbeckia Gatllardi
ia 5 rysanthemum .
Pyrethrum Achillea .
Buphthalmum
eneae
Hieracium Podachenium Palafoxia
tapbeny ot.
ia . Polyinaia
ee ali
| ya gece
LIST OF COLOURED PLATES
VOLUME II
—__4—__ PLATE FRONTISPIECE, NotserTe Ross, William Allen Richardson 79. Many-rLowmrep Rosx, Rosa m tiflora 80. Montaty Rosg, Rosa indica, var. semper florens 81. AUSTRIAN Baran, Rosa lutea, var. punicea
83, Hyprip PERPETUAL Rosr, Baroness Rothschild
84. Hyprip Prrprrvay Rose, General Jacqueminot
85. SILVERY CrxquErott, Potentilla <oMetiners hiloense
R occ : 94. SICKLE-LEAVED a Crassula falcata 95. LEDON RET
96. CoTyLEpon ssktbe var, shia
97. Sepum SPECTABILE ‘
a {8 SEDuM ae EDUM SARMENTOSUM
99. Csavaae Hovsetenk,
100. Myrriz, E, Myrtus comm
101, POMEGRANATE, Pontes Aas GNEA
on oases
103. CLARKIA PULcHELLA
104. Eventyg PRimRoges—A. Grothera, speciosa, B. 105. Goperta, « * Lapy ALBEMARLE, ” Gnothera amena, var, 106. { A, Foomn GLOBOSA
108. Gaura LINDHEDERA : : : : 109. Loasa LATERITIA
Viii
Tom pceparial
To face Title
. To face page 166 ]
TS ee Ee Se
. JAPANESE ARALIA, oS Jjaponie . BOUVARDIA LONGIFLOR
. MIcHAELMAS Datstes
. MicHAELMAS DaAISIEs { B.
LIST OF COLOURED PLATES
TE . Mentzevia LINDLEYI
PASSION-FLOWER, Pasifora car wiea:
. BEGONIA REX
. BEGONIA FUCHSIOIDES
. BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS, var. . TuBEROUs BecontA—Hyprip
“A. MAMILLARIA PUSILLA B. MAMILLARIA RHODANTHA
. Rat’s-rart Cactus, ie, ee . EPIPHYLLUM TRUNCATUM . OPUNTIA VULGARIS
Mese mbryenthosinn eolaeum
A. . Fie manconns| B. Mesembryanthemum ec C. Mesembr
inatu pre: wm jun
tineele orientalis
a CROSSWORTS huopsis sty
. Lance Spur VALERIAN, eats macrostphon ; . CAUCASIAN Scasious, Scabiosa caucasica
6. AGERATUM C@RULEUM
. CanapIAN GoLpEN Rop, Bilatawe Scales
8. Swan River Daisy, Bracyeome scelnegueee
. Dovusie Datstes, Bellis per
A. “Ase vorsiosiog \
B. er formosissimus
re pate multiflorus \ Aster turbinellus
. CHIna ASTERS, Callistephus esa vars.
+ dmniilns . MIcHAELMAS Daisies {B 4s Aster nove-anglie } Aster — var. roseus Bacwe FLEABANE, Erigeron speciosu
. Rosy EVERLASTING FLOWER, Halipterwes Manges . ACROCLINIUM ROSEUM . [wwortetres, Helichrysum Sedictaateiak. vars.
YourH AND AGE, Zinnia elegans,
vars . SILVER-LEAVED SUNFLOWER, Hlienieas enya . COREOPSIS TINCTORIA ! . Smnete Dawtia, ete worcuiihe ‘ . COSMOS BIPINNATU
A. Frencu sick Tag getes patula a agetes signat
. To face page 228 : re
oN LIST OF COLOURED PLATES
149. Oneaiieen SINENSE, vars. :
. CHRYSANTHEMUM SINENSE, Ponrpon var. Mont @Or ; . PYRETHRUM ROsEUM . » Caucastan Leoparp’ s-BANE, ee caucasicum ; 153. Crverarta, Senecio cruent cruentus, var,
» SCARLET Cacaia, Emilia sagi : 155. Common ate sistas co _ : ; : 156. Gazanta
a Sa 8%
. . . .
FAVOURITE FLOWERS
OF
GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
>
ROSES (continued) Natural Order Rosace&. Genus Rosa
For the characters of the Genus, history and descriptions of the cultivated kinds, together with lists of hybrids and garden varieties, the reader is referred to vol. i. pp. 149-164.
The grower of Roses has to combat the attacks of numerous enemies, not only among insects, but the more insidious depredations of fungoid parasites. Among INSECTS, various species of Greenfly (Aphis) are most in evidence, swarming in thick masses round the extremity of the growing shoots, and sucking sap continually. This constant drain upon the tenderest portions of the plant has a prejudicial effect upon the character of the branches formed from these shoots, and an effort must be made to get rid of the pests. Whatever is attempted in this direction must be thorough, for the fecundity of the Aphis is so astonishingly great and rapid, that a single individual left upon a Rose-tree is sufficient to ensure a swarm round every shoot a day or two later. Many remedies are in use, such as solutions of tobacco, quassia, soft soap, and numerous patent prepara- tions. All these are good, but in using them care must be taken to thoroughly syringe the plants a few hours later with clean water, or the remedy will prove worse than the disease. Our own experience is
I1.—1
Rose Enemies.
166 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
that when the succulent growing tips of the branches have been much attacked by these pests, they do not develop into healthy wood, and that the heroic remedy is the best—that is, to cut off the infested shoots and put them on the fire at once. That is a certain end to the insects, whereas many of the washes merely stupefy for the time, and the Greenfly revive to found new colonies, But not only does the Aphis injure Roses by its direct attacks, its sticky secretions provide a suitable material in which the low fungus Capnodiwm may flourish. Although this does not appear to attack the tissues of the Rose, its growth is unsightly, and clogs the breathing pores of the plant. The Lace-wing fly (Hemerobius) and the Lady-bird (Coccinella) should be encouraged, for their larve live entirely by sucking Greenfly dry. The larve of various species of Saw-fly (Lenthredo) and of moths innumerable feed upon the leaves, and these must be got rid of by hand-picking, which is at once more efficacious and more economical than the application of sticky messes to the stems. Several species
clock (P, hyllopertha), feed upon the pollen and stamens of the flower, but beyond picking them off when seen, little can be done with these
lcroscopical examination, In this way he will have Spreading, but at the same time
oil, ete. Powdered sulphur and palliatives, € are recommended as cures Or in fungus treatment of the organism as a whole. part and try to improve the health oma . . ee 79 Tepresents the extremity of a flowering Neen sh a of Rosa multiflora, the appropriately named Many-
»teduced by about one-fourth from the natural dimensions.
z e §
MANY-FLOWERED ROSE (ROSA MULTIFLORA) he Nat. size
KERRIA 167
Fig. 1 is a section through the flower, and Fig. 2 shows the comb-like stipules at the base of the leaf-stalk, and the paired hook-prickles below. It occurs also with rosy and purple flowers.
Plate 80 illustrates one of the numerous forms of R. indica, the var. semyperflorens or Monthly Rose, with solitary flowers at the tips of the branches. The figure is about one-half the natural size.
Plate 81 is a drawing of R. lutea, var. punicea, the Austrian Briar, or Nasturtium Rose (Rose Capucine), so called on account of the resemblance in colour to the flowers of Tropwolum. Fig. 1 is a section through the flower after the fall of the petals.
Plate 82 shows a flower and buds of R. centifolia, var. muscosa, the Moss Rose, with its shaggy calyx and unequal prickles. The remarkable stipules are also well represented.
Plate 83 is a reduced drawing of the Hybrid Perpetual Baroness Rothschild, about one-half of the natural size.
Plate 84 gives further representation to the class of Hybrid Perpetuals in General Jacqueminot, drawn of the natural size.
In the Plate which forms the frontispiece to the present volume of this work, there will be found a representative of the Noisette section of Roses — William Allen Richardson, a hybrid of recent production, but already a great favourite.
KERRIA Natural Order Rosacea. Genus Kerria
KERRIA (named in honour of W. Kerr, a botanist of last century). A genus of only one or two species of shrubs, native of China. Kerria japonica is frequently cultivated on account of its handsome orange- yellow flowers, abundantly produced at almost all seasons. It is an erect-growing plant, 5 or 6 feet high, with slender dark-green branches, and bright green, smooth, alternate leaves, which are oval-lance-shaped, sharply and doubly toothed. The flowers are of similar structure to those of Spirwa, with five petals and numerous stamens. But the form almost solely cultivated in this country is the double variety, flore pleno. The flowers are produced singly at the end of little side-shoots all along the upright branches, and are about an inch and a half across. It was
introduced about the year 1700. Cultivation, K. japonica (Japanese) is usually trained against walls. It succeeds in any good loamy soil, and is repro-
168 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
duced by means of cuttings taken from the young shoots. These are usually struck under a hand-light, but in many districts they will strike quite well if merely inserted where it is desired to grow them. Many years ago, noting the abundance of Kerria in the cottage-gardens of a village among the Surrey sandhills, we asked the sexton what it was “Oh,” said he “it’s just the J aponica. You just break off a bit and stick it in, and it grows.” Such was the rough method in practice there, but it was highly successful, and K. japonica flourished in every garden. It may also be propagated by layering the branches, or by dividing the plants. There is another variety (foliis variegatis) in which the leaves are prettily variegated with several shades of white, yellow, and green. Kerrias are sometimes. referred to as members of the genus Corchorus, but quite erroneously; the latter belonging to the Natural Order TILIACE.
WHITE KERRIA Natural Order RosacE&. Gents Rhodoty pos
Ruoporypos (Greek, rhodon, a rose, and typos, a type or model). A genus comprising but one Species, closely allied to and resembling Kerria, on which account it is called Rhodotypos Kerrioides (Kerria- like). It differs from Kerria, however, in the calyx lobes and the petals being four in each case, and the carpels one to four instead of five toeight. Itis a tall-growing shrub, about 15 feet high, with both branches and leaves in fours (decussate). The flowers are white, terminal and solitary, appearing in April. The plant was introduced from Japan m 1866. For cultivation, see Kerria,
BRAMBLES Natural Order RosacE&. Genus Rubus
Rusus (the old Roman name, derived from ruber, red). A genus or Prsing about a hundred Species of generally twiggy and prickly, trailing shrubs, of which our native Bramble or Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) ane La taken as the type. They have conspicuous five-petaled flowers, white or pink, grouped in panicles or corymbs; and leaves simple oF a tetas ; They are chiefly grown for the sake of the multiple fraits, which are in many species juicy and edible. Several species, however are grown for the flowers or ornamental foliage, and it is only with these
MONTHLY ROSE (ROSA INDICA—14r. semperflorens) . 1/, Nat. size
PL. 80
BRAMBLES 169
that we are at present concerned. The species are abundant in the Northern Hemisphere, and a few occur in the Southern.
RuBus BIFLORUS (two-flowered). Chiefly grown on account of its pure white stems and branches, which are tall and covered with strong, recurved prickles. The leaves are broken up into three or five oval leaflets, which are inclined to be lobed, are doubly-toothed, downy above and covered with white wool beneath. The flowers are white, in axillary clusters of two or three; May. Fruit large, globose, golden yellow. Introduced from temperate Himalaya (1818). This has a very ornamental appearance when trained up a dark- coloured wall.
R. LACINIATUs (torn). Stems nearly round, straggling, well armed ;
prickles with dilated base. Leaves divided into three or five deeply- dissected leaflets. The flowers are white or rosy, in loose panicles; the petals three-lobed at the apex; June to September. Fruit large, black. This species, variety, or hybrid, which is of garden origin, and its true relationships unknown, is a very ornamental subject for scrambling over a fence or tree-stump. It may even be planted in a bed by itself and given a few tree-roots to grow around. R. oporata (fragrant). Stem erect, 3 to 5 feet high, devoid of spines, but covered with purple, glandular bristles. Leaves lobed, minutely toothed. Flowers rosy purple, 2 inches across; petals rounded ; June to August. Fruit reddish, flat and broad. Introduced from North America (1700).
R. ROSHFOLIUS (Rose-leaved). Stems erect, or nearly so, with scattered hooked prickles. Leaflets, five or seven, oval-lance-shaped, doubly and deeply toothed. Flowers white, solitary or in loose panicles ; August. Fruit orange-red. Himalaya (1811).
R, SPECTABILIS (showy). Salmon Berry. Stem erect, 5 to 10 feet high, unarmed or spiny. Leaves three-lobed, or divided into three egg- shaped leaflets, saw-toothed. Flowers very large, bright red, produced solitarily or in pairs, from the axils; May. Fruit egg-shaped, large red. Introduced from North America (1827).
Most Rubi are hardy, although even our tough Black- berry (R. fruticosus) occasionally receives a severe check through late frosts in early summer. Most garden soils will be found suitable for them, the chief care needed being to keep them within bounds by judicious cutting-back. They may be propagated from seed, - by layering the lower shoots, or by pegging down the tips of the long, arching ones, and covering slightly with earth. They soon root, and may then be separated and re-planted.
1-2
Principal Species.
>
Cultivation.
170 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
ALMOND, PLUM, AND CHERRY TREES Natural Order Rosacez. Genus Prunus
Prunus (the old Roman name for the Plum-tree). A genus comprising about eighty species of shrubs or trees with simple alternate leaves, white or red flowers, which are honeyed and disposed in corymbs, or racemes, or produced solitarily. There are five lobes to the calyx, five petals, fifteen to twenty stamens, and a single carpel. The species are natives of the Northern temperate regions, and rare in the tropics. Four species are indigenous to Britain. Most of the species are cultivated for the sake of the juicy fruit (Plums, Peaches, Cherries, etc.); those mentioned below are suggested on account of their showy flowers. atowy: The genus Prunus includes some of the most anciently cultivated of plants. Respecting the origin of some of these, such as the Almond, the Peach, and the Apricot, there has been much dispute. Persia and Northern Africa were formerly considered to be the natural home whence these desirable fruits have spread; but the generally accepted belief of modern botanists is that the Peach and Apricot are natives of China, and the Almond is indigenous to Southern Europe and the Levant. The Almond (P. Amygdalus), cultivated from very early periods, came to us by way of North Africa at some date prior to 1548, and somewhere about the same period we introduced the Apricot (P. : Armeniaca) from the Levant. Of the Peach (P. Persica) we have D0 — certain records earlier than 1562; it appears to have come to us from Persia, where it had then been in cultivation for at least twelve hundred eae for Theophrastus in 3.0. 322 speaks of it as a Persian fruit, and 1b 1s suggested that he became acquainted with it through Alexander's expedition to Persia. The Almond is only grown in this country for the sake of its flowers, but on the Continent for its fruit; in favourable Seasons it ripens these in the South of England. : Principal Species, /RUNUS AMyGpaLus (Almond). Almond-tree. A ee a te from 10 to 30 feet high, with oblong-lance-shaped Patines ely toothed. Flowers pink or rosy (sometimes white), ped iced in abundance before the leaves, in March. During 4 mil miuver they sometimes appear in F ebruary, and rarely ever in January: —
ane fruit is covered with a downy fibrous husk. There are several varieties,
P. ARMENIACA (Armeni : toot He with egg-shaped ns man). Apricot. A tree about 15 feet M8
r heart-shaped, smooth leaves, glandularly toothed.
my od yt ia : SUMS /,, Oe ~ S \} pos Saad
AUSTRIAN BRIAR (ROSA LUTEA—var, puntcea) Nat. size PL. 81
ALMOND, PLUM, AND CHERRY TREES 171
Flowers pinkish white, stalkless; February or March. Fruit fleshy, covered with a velvety skin.
P. Avium (bird). Gean or Wild Cherry. Tree, 20 to 40 feet high, with stout trunk, and stout rigid branches curving upwards. Leaves pale green, downy beneath, on long stalks, and hanging down. Flowers in small umbels, drooping, the soft petals widely spreading; April or May. Fruit somewhat heart-shaped, black or red, bitter or sweet, but not acid ; juice staining. Native.
P. CERASUS (supposed native of Cerasus, in Pontus). Dwarf Cherry. A bush or dwarf tree, 6 or 8 feet high, with red bark, numerous suckers, slender drooping branches, and smooth, blue-green, coarsely-toothed leaves with short stalks. The flowers erect, in small umbels; the firm white petals notched, and not spreading widely ; April or May. Fruit round, red, with acid juice. A native.
P. Lavrocerasus (Cherry Laurel). Common Laurel or Cherry Laurel. A fine evergreen foliage shrub or tree, 6 to 10 feet high, with large, glossy, oval-lance-shaped leaves, dull beneath. The flowers in an erect raceme shorter than the leaves; April and May. Introduced from the Levant (1629). A number of varieties are to be found in our shrubberies, the chief differences being in the size or shape of the leaves. Var. latifolia is probably the best
P. LUSITANICA (Portuguese). Portugal Laurel. Evergreen shrubs 10 to 20 feet high, with oval-lance-shaped leaves, and white flowers in erect axillary racemes, longer than the leaves; June. Introduced from Portugal (1648). The var. myrtifolia has small leaves, and is of more compact growth.
P. Persica (Persian). Peach. Tree, 15 feet high, with smooth, lance-shaped, saw-toothed leaves, and pale or dark red flowers, smaller than those of P. Amygdalus, appearing in April or May. Fruit fleshy, covered with a velvety skin. The var. levis (Nectarine) has firmer, plumper fruit with smooth skin.
P. TRILOBA (three-lobed). Shrub, about 6 feet high, with three-lobed leaves. Flowers large, white or rosy, generally double, appearing before the leaves; March. Introduced from China (1857).
On a well-drained loamy soil all the species of Prunus will do well. Their roots run very near the surface, and, consequently, so deep a soil is not required as by many shrubs and trees of equal size. With some species there is a strong disposition to throw up numerous suckers, which are often a nuisance, and must be taken off. It is not advisable to use these suckers for propagation. Stocks for budding or grafting are usually raised from seed, which should be sown
Cultivation.
192 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
as soon as ripe. The flowers are produced on short spurs at the end and along the sides of well-ripened shoots of from one to three years old. In pruning, these must be preserved uncut when the weak and unripened wood is cut away in winter.
APPLE AND PEAR TREES
Natural Order Rosacea. Genus Pyrus
Pyrus (the old Roman name for the Pear-tree). A genus of trees or
shrubs comprising about forty species, with simple or pinnate leaves, and white or pink, honeyed flowers, in te _ flower-parts agree in number with those of Prunus, and are similar in arpels. The fruit as a whole, alyx is above it. The carpels
ae, Like Prunus, the genus Pyrus has been cultivated for the sake of its fine fruits from very early times. The
Romans are believed to have brought cultivated Apples with them when they took possession of these islands, But that is a matter with which We are not much concerned, for there j
or Pear. It is true that lo : the Quince, made its first ng anterior to the year 1573 P. Cydonia,
erate ‘ its native country seat Ppearance, being introduced from Austria, thoug |
favourite P. japon s : introduced in icin. which flowers nearly all the year round, we
€ very beautiful P. Maulei, also from Japan,
rminal cymes or corymbs. The —
y : See ye ae Peas s pees eS, " es Sei 2 a GRE he Peet a GF eye AE er | SAE Soa Copee Dae © yea Fee eee a ss) ab ig An oN ae
MOSS ROSE (ROSA CENTIFOLIA—var. muscosa )
Nat. size PL. 82
APPLE AND PEAR TREES 173
ne)
has been known in English gardens little more than twenty years. Although most of these species produce edible fruit, they are mentioned here solely on account of their ornamental characters.
Pyrus Arta. White Beam-tree. A bush or tree Noe Waeytiag from 4 to 4 feet in height, with variable leaves, jagged at the edges or deeply lobed, smooth above, white and woolly beneath. Flowers, white, }-inch across in flat corymbs; May and June. Fruits miniature apples, -inch across, rich scarlet. Native.
P. Aucupartia (fowler’s). Rowan or Mountain Ash. A tree, from 10 to 40 feet high, with long leaves broken up into lance-shaped, toothed leaflets, of which there are from six to eight pairs and an odd one. The flowers are creamy white, 3-inch across, in dense-flowered compound cymes, 5 or 6 inches across; May and June. Fruit small, globose, scarlet, in con- spicuous bunches. The Rowan in full fruit is highly ornamental. Native,
P. BaccaTa (berried). Cherry Crab. A tree, 15 to 20 feet high, with smooth egg-shaped, toothed leaves, and white flowers; April and May. Fruit cherry-like, yellow tinged with red. Native of Northern Asia from Himalaya to Japan.
P. COMMUNIS (common). Wild Pear. A tree, from 30 to 70 feet high, generally of pyramidal form, with thorny branches, and egg-shaped toothed leaves, in bunches on the old wood, singly on the new shoots. The flowers are white, from 1 to 13 inch across, in simple cymes; April and May. Native.
P. CORONARIA (garland). Sweet-scented Crab ; American Crab. A small tree, about 20 feet high, with egg-shaped, irregularly toothed or lobed, smooth leaves, and large, rosy-tinted, fragrant flowers in small corymbs ; May. Fruit small, fragrant, greenish. Native of Eastern United States,
P. Cypon1a (supposed native of Kydon in Crete). Quince. A tree, 20 feet high, with crooked branches, and egg-shaped, entire leaves, white and woolly beneath. Flowers white or pale red, large and few, in an umbel; May or June. Fruit varying apple or pear-shaped, of a fine golden yellow when ripe.
P. FLORIBUNDA (free-flowering). A highly ornamental shrub, with slender shoots, and small lance-shaped, toothed leaves. Flowers abundant, rich, rosy red; May. Fruit very small, long-stalked. Japan.
P. JAPONICA (J apanese). Japanese Quince. A shrub, 5 or 6 fect high, with smooth, oval leaves, and deep scarlet flowers, produced in pairs or threes, in winter before the leaves, and almost throughout the year. Fruit fragrant, green ; not edible, One of the finest of hardy shrubs whether grown on the wall, or as a bush.
P. Matus (Apple-tree). Crab Apple. Shrub or small tree, 20 fect high, I1.—3
174 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
with spreading branches and oblong leaves. Flowers, 1} inch across, white delicately tinged with pink, rosy beneath, in umbels; May. Native.
P. Mavter (Maule’s). Shrub, smaller and more compact than P. japonica, with bright red flowers; April. Introduced from Japan (1874).
P. PRUNIFOLIA (Plum-leaved). Siberian Crab. Small tree, 20 to 30 feet high, with egg-shaped, smooth, toothed leaves, similar to those of the Cherry; long-stalked. Flowers white, resembling those of P. communis ; stalks downy; April and May. Fruit yellowish, but bright red on side exposed to sun.
P. Sorsus (Service-tree). The True Service. A tree, 20 to 60 feet high, similar to P. awcuparia, but larger. Leaves pinnate, but leaflets equal in size, woolly beneath, toothed towards the points. Flowers creamy, in panicles; May. Fruit larger than those of P. aucuparia, more pear-shaped, 1 inch long, dotted with red. Europe.
P, SPECTABILIS (worthy of note). Chinese Crab. A tree, 20 to 30 feet high, with smooth, oval-oblong, toothed leaves, and large, rosy or white flowers ; April or May. Fruit spherical, 1 inch across, on long stalks. The var. alba plena has double white flowers.
hide A rich loamy soil, with a subsoil of an open character, is the most suitable for the genus Pyrus; they will not
succeed where the subsoil is clay. The species may be grown from seeds, which should be carefully selected from good healthy trees. Varieties should be propagated by means of buds or grafts. Cuttings may also be struck, but it is neither a reliable nor a speedy method; yet we have Se ‘ald good results from the mere careless sticking-in of apple the a gray any art being practised. Most of these trees root near Pas ue erefore they require mulehings of manure in summer; the suitable strate. cod gene an is likely to find its way into some un- at oi : ee aa it is usually grafted on a Quince seabed a oh ne Iruit is desired, more elaborate instructions foe focal tie ‘aia ws up the ornamental character of these trees ener requirements are, to see to the renewal of the
food for the roots ake, ; t out old wad » the judicious pruning of the branches, and cutting
THORNS
Natural Order Rosacez. Genus Crategus
CraTaaus (Greek, kratos,
Species of shrubs and sm Strength). A genus comprising about fifty
all trees, often spiny, with simple, lobed or
OE
ROSE—‘* BARONESS ROTHSCHILD ”’ i (HYBRID PERPETUAL) 1/, Nat. size PL. 83.
THORNS 175
pinnately cut leaves, and red or white flowers. These are grouped in corymbose cymes, and consist of a pitcher-shaped or bell-shaped calyx with a contracted mouth and five spreading lobes; five petals inserted at the mouth of the calyx; many stamens, and one to five carpels. The latter are below and attached to the calyx-tube, and in association with it they develop into an egg-shaped or globose fruit consisting of a bony stone containing the seed or seeds, invested with a thin layer of flesh and a thick, coloured rind. They are natives of the northern temperate regions, and are chiefly found in America, extending south as far as New Granada. The generic name refers to the hard, strong wood.
CRATEGUS COCCINEA (scarlet). A small tree, 20 to 30 feet high, sometimes with a few straight thorns, and heart- shaped, sharply-toothed, smooth leaves. Flowers white, with red anthers; May. Fruit large, egg-shaped, bright coral-red. Introduced from the United States (1683).
C. Crus-GALLi (cock’s-spur). Cockspur Thorn. Shrub or small tree, 10 to 30 feet high, beset with strong curved spines. Leaves oval- wedge-shaped, shining, shortly stalked. Flowers large, white, tinged with red, anthers red; May. Fruit bright red, showy, edible. Intro- duced from North America (1691). There are several good varieties.
C. Doveiasit (Douglas’). Shrub, 10 to 15 feet high, with reddish twigs and straight, rigid spines. Leaves oval, shining, wedge-shaped at base, doubly toothed. Flowers white ; May. Fruit small, dark purple. Introduced from Western North America (1827).
C. FLAVA (yellow). Small tree, 12 to 20 feet high. Leaves egg- shaped, slightly lobed and round toothed, wedge-shaped at base. Flowers mostly solitary, white; May. Fruit pear-shaped, yellow, edible. Intro- duced from South-East United States (1724).
C. HETEROPHYLLA (various-leaved). Small tree, 15 to 20 feet high, with smooth leaves, somewhat three-lobed at the apex, slightly toothed. Flowers white, in many-flowered corymbs; May. Introduced from the Orient (1816). |
C. ORIENTALIS (oriental). Small tree, 12 to 20 feet high, with woolly branches, and deeply-toothed, three-lobed leaves. Flowers white ; May and June. Introduced from the Orient (1810).
C. OxYAcaNnTHA (sharp-spined). Whitethorn, Hawthorn, or May. Small tree, 15 to 20 feet high, very spiny. Leaves egg-shaped, with
wedge-shaped base, with three or more lobes, shining. Flowers white, produced abundantly, usually sweet-scented, but occasi nally unpleasant ; May or June. Fruit, dark red or yellow, mealy, edible, but uninviting. :
Principal Species.
t
“orymbs. The calyx ig top-shaped
176 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Native. There are very many varieties, of which the dark red flowered rosea swperba is the most popular.
C, PyRACANTHA (pyramidal-spined). Evergreen Thorn. Shrub, 10 to 15 feet high, with small evergreen, lance-shaped, saw-toothed leaves, and white or pinkish flowers; May. Fruit orange-scarlet, in dense clusters, which remain on the tree almost throughout the winter. There is a variety with white berries. Introduced from Southern Europe (1629).
C. TANACETIFOLIA (Tansy-leaved). Small tree, 10 to 15 feet high, with deeply-lobed, downy leaves, and white flowers; May. Fruit globose, greenish yellow. Introduced from the Orient (1789).
ica Thorns are most commonly used for hedging, and —
there is nothing better for the purpose ; much of the beauty of our country in spring is due to this use. But Thorns that are allowed to develop naturally and form a round head are a magnificent sight when covered with their snowy blossoms. They thrive in almost any soil, light or heavy, and will survive any ill-treatment. - Whether grown as hedge, bush, tree, or choice pot-plant, the flowers come freely. They may be raised from seeds or cuttings, and the special varieties grafted or budded
Ds tena vigorous stocks of the common.species. The seeds may be sown
in drills or furrows, in well dug soil. This may be done soon after the seeds are ripe, or in the following spring; the drills being made about an inch and a half deep. For raising on a large scale, it is advisable to make a little heap of the “haws” soon after they are ripe, in order to root away the fleshy portion ; they are then mixed with sand and buried at a depth of five or six inches, where they are left till the next autumn, and then sown. They do not germinate rapidly, and a succession of young plants may be raised from the one sowing for several years. The seedlings are removed when about a year old, the roots shortened with a sharp knife, and transplanted in their permanent stations. They may be trained over walls, grown as standards, or kept for several years as pot-plants.
PHOTINIAS
Natural Order Rosacrr, Genus Photinia (including Eriobotriv) — PHOTINIA (Greek,
small ; : rae 2 ow evergreens with handsome leathery, alternate
€rous small white flowers in terminal panicles or or bell-shaped, with five lobes.
photeinos, shining, from the laurel-like leaves). 4
ROSE—‘‘ GENERAL JACQUEMINOT se
(HYBRID PERPETUAL)
Nat. size PL. 84
_joitan baat
INDIAN HAWTHORN 177 There are five spreading petals and about twenty stamens. The fruit is more or less egg-shaped, in some species edible; the cells not bony as in Crategus. There are about a dozen species, natives of the mountainous regions of India, China, Japan, and California.
PHOTINIA ARBUTIFOLIA (Arbutus-leaved). Californian May-bush. A tree, from 10 to 20 feet high, with oblong- lance-shaped, saw-toothed leaves, and panicled white flowers; July. The leaf-stalks and young branches are bright red. Introduced from California (1796).
P. JAPONICA (Japanese). Loquat, or Japanese Medlar. A tree, from 10 to 20 feet high, with large oblong, wrinkled leaves, downy beneath. Flowers white, in drooping racemes; November. Fruit oval, “the size of a small apple,” pale orange tinged with red, of a sub- acid flavour not unlike that of an apple; ripening in spring or early summer. The tree is sufficiently hardy to withstand our ordinary winters out of doors, but one of extra severity kills. Owing to the late flowering period the fruit cannot be ripened out of doors, but — as a pot-plant in the stove it ripens easily. Introduced to Kew from China (1787).
P. SERRULATA (toothed). Chinese Hawthorn. A tree, 10 to 20 feet high, with large oblong, toothed leaves, and small white flowers in flat terminal corymbs; April to July. Introduced from China (1804).
Photinias are well suited for training against walls outside, where they can be given slight protection in very severe weather. They should in any case be given a sheltered position, and a light loamy soil. Propagation is effected by means of cuttings, or by grafting upon stocks of Pyrus Cydonia. The cuttings should be taken about three inches long from the side-shoots, inserted in sandy soil and covered with a bell-glass. Grafting is practised for out- door growth, and the method adopted is that known as cleft-grafting. April is about the best time for the operation, and the graft should be contrived as near the ground as possible.
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
INDIAN HAWTHORN Natural Order Rosacrez. Genus Rhaphiolepis
RHAPHIOLEPIS (Greek rhaphis, a needle, and lepis, a scale, in allusion to
the slender bracts). A genus containing about five species of hardy or
half-hardy evergreen shrubs or trees, allied to Photinia. They have 11.—4
178 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
alternate, leathery, stalked leaves, and white or red flowers in racemes or panicles. The calyx is funnel-shaped, with five awl-shaped lobes, which fall away when the flower withers. The petals are clawed, five in number, oblong; stamens numerous. Fruit, a pulpy berry, with one or two cells. They are natives of China and J apan. Srhaeinl Spiacios RHAPHIOLEPIS INDICA (Indian). Indian Hawthorn. ‘A half-hardy shrub, 4 feet high, with egg-shaped or lance-shaped leaves. Flowers white or pinkish, as large as those of Crategus Oxyacantha, in short, terminal panicles ; February to August. Introduced from China (1806). There are several varieties which are usually regarded in our greenhouses as distinct species; rubra has reddish flowers; phcostemon has white flowers with brown stamens; salicifolia has white flowers and slender lance - shaped, willow-like leaves, Ru. JAPONICA (Japanese), Hardy shrub, 6 to 10 feet high, with glossy, dark green, oval leaves apparently in whorls at the ends of the branches. Flowers pure white, 3-inch across, fragrant, in erect terminal panicles; June, Introduced from J apan (1865).
Gulitvailen, Rhaphiolepis should be grown in a compost of loam,
evere weather to cover it with mats, The J apanese S well as singly. Either species may be pro- pagated from cuttings, which are made from the ripened wood, and struck in sand under a bell-glass,
AMELANCHIERS
Natural Order Rosacrz. Genus Amelanchier AMELANCHTER (the name applied to the Medlar in Savoy). A genus of four or five species of hardy shrubs or small trees, with alternate, deciduous, toothed leaves, and White flowers in racemes. The lobes . = —. do not fall off as in Rhaphiolepis, and the fruit is three- : ve-ce led. © species are natives of the Mediterranean sha a
apan, and North America, 4. vulgaris has been grown in British oe for at least three hundred years; and is esteemed for the fine
sae toe flowers in spring and the autumnal tints of its foliage, re than for its edible, though not particularly palatable, fruit.
SILVERY CINQUEFOIL
(POTENTILLA ATROSANGUINEA) 4/, Nat. size
PL. 85
COTONEASTERS 179
AMELANCHIER CANADENSIS (Canadian). Grape Pear. A small tree, 6 to 8 feet high, with oblong-elliptic leaves, ending in a sharp point, and a profusion of white flowers ; April. The fruit, which is small and sparingly produced, is purplish in colour, of a pleasant flavour, ripening in June. Introduced from Canada (1746). There are several varieties generally regarded in gardens as distinct species.
A. VULGARIS (common). Common Amelanchier. A shrub, from 3 to 9 feet high, with roundish-oval leaves, and abundant white flowers ; April. Fruit dark purple. Introduced from Europe about 1596.
Amelanchiers may be grown without difficulty in a
rich loamy soil, out of doors. They are propagated by seed sown as soon as ripe; by layering the lower shoots; by taking cuttings in autumn; or by grafting in spring upon stocks of Quince or Hawthorn.
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
COTONEASTERS Natural Order Rosace&. Genus Cotoneaster
CoToNEASTER (the old Roman name, signifying Quince-like). A genus comprising about fifteen species of hardy shrubs or small trees, with leathery, often downy, leaves, and small white or pink flowers, which are solitary, or grouped in few-flowered cymes. The calyx-tube is top- shaped or bell-shaped, with five persistent lobes. Petals five; stamens numerous, inserted at the mouth of the calyx ; carpels two to five, and fruit small, with two to five bony stones. The species are natives of Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa, and Mexico. C. vulgaris occurs in Britain, but only on the limestone cliffs of the Great Orme’s Head, in Carnarvonshire.
CoTONEASTER AFFINIS (a cousin). A shrub, about 4 feet high, with lance-shaped leaves and pinkish flowers in large cymes; April and May. Fruits of an intense scarlet hue, remaining on the plant well through the winter. Introduced from Himalaya (1820).
C. BUXIFOLIA (box-leaved). A small shrub, 3 or 4 feet high, with elliptic evergreen leaves, woolly beneath. Flowers white, rather large, in two- to six-flowered cymes; April and May. Berries scarlet. Intro-
duced from Himalaya (1824). : C. rrictpa (cold). Shrub or small tree, 10 feet high, robust wing. Leaves oblong-lance-shaped, woolly beneath ; sub-evergreen. Flowers white, in many-flowered, woolly cymes; April and May.
Principal Species.
180 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Berries scarlet, in large clusters, forming the chief attraction of this
species. Himalaya (1824). : C. MICROPHYLLA (small-leaved). Evergreen shrub, 3 to 4 feet high,
with trailing branches, Leaves egg
Sub-evergreen shrub, with rhombie- silky beneath, persisting through = ogether, or solitary, on short latera es oblong, bright vermilion, persisting ced from Himalaya. foot me-leaved). Evergreen shrub, less than 1 fe high. Leaves egg-shaped, silvery white beneath. Flowers sma , pinkish; April. Fruits scarlet. Himalaya (1852). : Fi
- VULGARIS (common). Erect shrub, 3 to 5 feet high, with broad, elliptic-oblong leaves, downy beneath, flowered cymes; May and June.
branches; April or May. Berri through winter. Introdu C. THYMIFOLIA (Thy
All the species of Cotoneaster are worthy of cultivation, Cultivation, th
IS evergreen in ¢ standard-high on Hawthorn will cover as rapid] upon which to gra
he severest. winters ; it should be grafted
stocks, and grown against a wall, which it yaslvy. C.afinisand@ frigida are useful as stocks ft the evergreen species,
CINQUEFOILS
purple blossoms, bracts: the petals
regions; two only in
Se ee ee ee a ae a ee
SCARLET AVENS (GEUM CHILOENSE)
2/, Nat. size
PL. 86
CINQUEFOILS 181
The Potentillas are nearly allied to the Fragarias, or Strawberries, and have very similar flowers; they are chiefly distinguished by the character of the receptacle upon which the fruits (achenes) are developed. In Potentilla this is small and dry, but in Fragaria it is large and juicy. Most of the British species are neat and pretty, and in the early days of gardening in this country were probably more cultivated than they are now; but more than two hundred and fifty years ago we began to introduce exotic species. The first of these was P. grandiflora from Siberia (1640), and P. recta from South Europe in 1648, followed in 1680 by P. monspeliensis from France, and P. opaca from South Europe. The year 1822 saw the introduction of three good species _ from Himalaya—P. atrosanguinea, P. nepalensis, and P. splendens. In cultivation many hybrids have been produced, chiefly by crossing atrosanguinea and P. nepalensis, and these are in greater request than the original species. :
Sieeati pede pertins POTENTILLA ALBA (white). Stems weak, trailing; the
lower leaves of five leaflets, the upper with three. Flowers nearly an inch across, white with an orange ring near the centre; February to August. Native of the European Alps.
P. ATROSANGUINEA (dark-blood.) Silvery Cinquefoil. Stems hairy, branching, about 2 feet high. Leaves trefoils; the leaflets saw-toothed, and covered with silvery down beneath. Flowers 1} to 2 inches across, of a beautiful dark crimson colour; May to July. Plate 85.
P. comarum (arbutus-like). Marsh Cinquefoil. Stems more or less creeping, purple-brown. Leaflets five to seven, pinnately arranged, coarsely saw-toothed, pale beneath; stipules large. Petals dark purple- brown, smaller than the purplish sepals; June and July. Fruits many achenes, disposed on a crimson, dry, spongy cone, like the fruit of Arbutus. A native of our bogs and marshes.
P. rruTICOSA (shrubby). Stem shrubby, with flaking bark, 2 to 4 feet high. Leaflets three or five, lance-shaped, margins turned back, and untoothed; hairy. Flowers few, 14 inch across, rich yellow, in terminal cymes; June and July. Bracts lance-shaped. Native of Britain. —
P. NEPALENSIS (native of Nepal). Very similar to P. atrosanguined, differing chiefly in the character of the radical leaves, which have five leaflets instead of three. Flowers in June and July.
_P. pyrenaica (Pyrenean). Stems 1 to 1} foot. Radical leaves long-stalked, with oblong leaflets, toothed only towards the tips; stem- leaves short-stalked, three- to five-lobed. Flowers large, deep yellow; petals very round, overlapping ; June to August.
‘P. RUPESTRIS (growing on rocks). Stems 1 to 2 feet, branched.
I.—5
History.
182 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Radical leaves, with slender footstalks, and five pinnate leaflets. Stem- leaves with three leaflets, few, almost stalkless. Flowers few, 1 inch across, white; May and June. A native of Europe and Wales.
P. RUSSELLIANA (Russell’s). A hybrid, probably the offspring of P. atrosanguinea x nepalensis. Stem 1 foot. Leaves trefoils. Flowers nearly 2 inches across, of a rich blood-red colour; July to September. Many other hybrids and varieties will be found in the lists of good firms.
The Cinquefoils succeed as a rule in ordinary garden soil, but they prefer one that is sandy in character. The most appropriate situation for most of the species is the rock-garden or a stony bank. P. comarum, however, is used to a marsh habitat, and it would be well to give it a damp position and mix peat or cocoanut-fibre with the soil about its roots. They come readily from seeds or by dividing the roots; in the case of hybrids, of course, the latter method of propagation must be relied upon.
Description of The upper portion of a stem of Potentilla atrosan-
iste 8. guinea, with a couple of radical leaves. It will be seen that the name Cinquefoil is a misnomer in this case, but popularly the large stipules also count as leaflets, and so help to constitute the five-fold leaf,
Culture,
AVENS Natural Order Rosacea. Genus Gewin
GEUM (the old Latin name, said to be derived from the Greek geuo, to give to taste, the roots of Geum urbanum being aromatic). A genus of about thirty erect-growing, hardy, perennial herbs. They have large dissected radical leaves, of which the terminal leaflet is always much larger than the others, The stipules grow to the leaf-stalk. The honey ed grow solitarily or in corymbs, and are white, yellow, or red in colour. Like Potentilla, the calyx has, in addition to its five lobes, as many little bracts immediately below it. Petals five; stamens many, crowded; carpels numerous with thread-like styles. When these carpels have developed into a round head of achenes, the styles in some species have become hooked hairs, which catch in the fur of animals, and so secure distribution. The Species are found throughout the temperate and cold regions of the earth.
Two species of Gewm are indigenous in Britain: G. urbanwm, common in every wood and hedgerow, and @.
rivale, less plentiful by the sides of streams. The former has small
CREEPING SAILOR (SAXIFRAGA SARMENTOSA) a Nat. size PL. 87
AVENS 183
yellow flowers, and is apt to become a troublesome weed when introduced to the garden; but G. rivale was probably transplanted from its native streams at an early date. Of the exotic species, the white-flowered @. album, introduced from North America in 1730, was probably the first to be cultivated here. G. strictum, from the same quarter of the globe, was introduced in 1778, G. pyrenaicum from the Pyrenees, 1804. G. chiloense, the species most frequently cultivated, came from Chile in 1824. Several others are of more recent introduction, such as G. rheticum, thought to be a natural hybrid between G. montanwm and G. reptans, discovered in the Engadine in 1886. cionibeuiiad GEUM CHILOENSE (Chilian). Scarlet Avens. Stems ‘ glandular, about 2 feet high. Radical leaves interruptedly pinnate, leaflets lobed and boldly toothed. Stem-leaves three-parted, deeply cut. Flowers scarlet and copper-coloured, 14 inch across, in leafy terminal panicles; May to August. Plate 86. “This is often known in gardens by the incorrect name of G. coccinewm, which belongs to a distinct species. There is a very handsome var. flore pleno, with dazzling scarlet double flowers.
G. coccrnEuM (scarlet). Stem solitary, erect, about a foot high. Radical leaves tufted, spreading with five or seven leaflets ; stem-leaves simple, three-lobed, toothed. Flowers erect, on terminal foot-stalks ; petals clawed, purplish.
G. ELATUM (tall), Stem slender, forked, 3 to 4 feet. Radical leaves somewhat similar to those of G. coccmewm; stem-leaves small, with larger stipules. Flowers on long, slender, erect stalks; petals notched, - golden yellow; July. Introduced from Himalaya (1880).
G. MonTANUM (mountain) is a spring flowering dwarf species (6 to 12 inches high). Leaves covered with soft hairs. Flowers yellow, erect. G. pyRENAICcUM (Pyrenean). Stems erect, unbranched, 14 foot high.
fsimilarcl tar to those of G.chiloense, but lower leaflets smaller.
UIDY
i Flowers yellow, nodding, one to four ‘nacluster; June. Whole plant hairy. G. RIVALE (near the river). Stems erect, unbranched, 1 to 3 feet, downy. Leaves similar to those of G. chiloense, but very variable ; stipules small. Flowers drooping, an inch to an inch and a half in diameter ; calyx red-brown, downy ; petals yellow; May to July.
Geums are propagated by seed sown in spring out of doors, or by divisions of the tufts at the same season. Their culture is simple, for they succeed in any well-drained soil. They are well suited for the rock-garden, but G. rivale, which is a moisture- loving species, should have a place at the foot of the rockery. &. elatwm, being tall, will do better in the border.
Culture.
184 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Description of Geum chiloense, the Scarlet Avens, is here represented, Plate 86. with flowers about one-third less than the natural size. The section through flower (Fig. 1) shows the arrangement of the carpels around the conical receptacle, surrounded by the crowd of stamens. Fig. 2 shows a solitary carpel with its long erect style.
SAXIFRAGES Natural Order SAXIFRAGER. Genus Sax ifraga
SAXIFRAGA (Latin, saxi, rocks, and fréyi, to break : many species growing among rocks). A genus of great importance to the gardener, nearly every one of the one hundred and sixty species being beautiful and suitable for cultivation, Mostly perennial, a few annual, herbs. Leaves variable, the radical ones frequently forming a rosette from which the flowering stems arise; stem-leaves usually alternate. The base of the leaf-stalk becomes a sheath, partially enclosing the next newer one. The flowers are white or yellow, rarely red or purple; honey producing, and the stamens ripening before the pistils. The calyx is tubular, with five lobes. Petals five; stamens ten, occasionally five ; ovary two-celled, two-lobed, two-styled. Fruit a two-beaked, two-valyed capsule, with many small rough seeds. The species are distributed throughout the north temperate — and Arctic zones, and in the Andes, Twelve of the species are British. ; History. As the British species include Saxifraga wmbrosa, the London Pride, which is found wild in the West and South-
brought out by Messrs. London & Wise, the royal florists, Prior to that
wa... ie area Pride had belonged to the old-fashioned Sweet fave ce nthus barbatus). The earliest foreign species of which we meas 1. were S. cotyledon and S. rotundifolia, which reached us prior © 1096, the former from the European Alps, and the latter from Austria. pet otha are of comparatively recent importation: S. Aizoon, from the gi HONEA Bes > from Switzerland in 1752; S. crassifolia, from ; a i 8. cunerfolia, from Switzerland in 1768; and S. sarmen- ost, the well-known Creeping Sailor or Wandering Jew of cottage windows, from China in 1771. Our own century has added many species
LONDON PRIDE (SAXIFRAGA UMBROSA)
‘ é
(m
(B) SAXIFRAGA HUETII
—
Nat. size
88
é
_ Pyrenees, 1871; S. valdensis, Alps, 1871; S. peltata, California, 1873; S.
SAXIFRAGES 185
to our gardens, such as 8S. ligulata, N epal, 1821; S. burseriana, Alps, 1826 ; S. maweana, Tetuan, 1827; 8. Fortunei, Japan, 1863; 8. longifolia
>
Canvposii, Spain, 1882; S. diver Lfolia, India, 1882; S. sancta, Mount Athos, 1882; S. cortusefolia, Japan, 1883, and 8. Huguenini, Swiss Alps, 1886.
rom a genus so large, and of species so generall preside, cee desirable, it is not easy to make a sent ee We have included the best-known forms in the following list, but it must not be supposed that non-inelusion implies unsuitability for the gardener’s purposes.
SAXIFRAGA AIZOIDES (Aizoon-like). Stems tufted, first erect, then falling prostrate ; branched and leafy, often forming large green cushion- like masses. Leaves very narrow oblong; lower leaves crowded, those on flowering stems scattered and more slender. Flowers, half an inch across, golden yellow with red dots; June and July. Native.
S. A1zoon (always living). Stems 5 to 10 inches, erect. Radical
leaves clustered, thick, spoon-shaped, the toothed margins white and
cartilaginous. Flowers creamy, spotted at base, on a many-flowered scape that is covered with sticky down; June. There are many natural varieties of this species.
S. BURSERIANA (Burser’s). Densely tufted, very dwarf. Leaves forming a rosette, three-edged, sharply pointed, glaucous. Flowers solitary, large, milk-white with yellowish nerves ; edges of petals curled back ; March to June.
S. casIA (grey). Stems 1} to 3 inches high. Radical leaves very slender, keeled below, margined with dots above; forming rosettes. Stem-leaves few. Flowers white, in small panicles; petals clawed;
. May and June.
‘ _§. casprrosa (tufted). Flowering stems 3 inches high; flowerless
ones 1 inch, densely tufted. Leaves wedge-shaped, three- to five-lobed.
Flowers bell-shaped, white ; July and August. <A native plant, in all probability a merely extreme member of the varieties of S. hypnoides.
S. Campostt (Don P. del Campos’). Stems 3 to 6 inches. Leaves variable, more or less fan-shaped, three- to five-lobed, lobes with three or more teeth. Flowers white, two-thirds of an inch in diameter ; petals Spoon-shaped; May. Better known in gardens as S. Wallacei.
S. corTusaron1a (Cortusa-like leaved). Stemless. Leaves all radical, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, round with lobed base on stout foot- stalks, with slight indications of lobing. Flowers white, in a loose panicle Supported on a stout scape; October.
11.—6
long series of natural
186 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
S. COTYLEDON (cotyledon-like). Plant tufted, flowering stem branched pyramidically, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves flat, spoon-shaped, with a silvery, cartilaginous, toothed edge. Flowers large, white; calyx glandular; May to July. Forms of this species are known in gardens under the names of S. pyramidalis and S. nepalensis.
S. CRASSIFOLIA (thick-leaved). Rootstock thick and woody. Leaves radical, oval, smooth, toothed. Flowers red, in dense panicles on a stout scape; March to May. Plate 89.
S. DIVERSIFOLIA (vari-leaved). Stem erect, branched, 4 to 1} foot high. Radical leaves, long-stalked, oval or heart-shaped; stem-leaves small, stalkless, half-clasping the stem. Flowers yellow, with indistinct spots; disposed in corymbs; July.
S. Forruner (Fortune’s). Similar in habit to S. cortusefolia. Leaves kidney-shaped, lobed and deeply toothed. Flowers white, ina many-flowered panicle; petals unequal, one being longer and toothed. Half-hardy.
S. GRANULATA (granulate roots). Stem erect, 6 to 18 inches, with brown bulbs at its base as big as a pea. Radical leaves kidney-shaped, lobed and stalked; stem-leaves stalkless, the lobes more sharply cut. Flowers bell-shaped, white, an inch across, drooping; April and May. Native of Britain.
S. Hircutus (little goat). Marsh Saxifrage. Stem erect, 4 to 8 inches, leafy, branched from the base, from which also runners are produced. Radical leaves, stalked, lance-shaped or spoon-shaped, forming a rosette; stem-leaves very slender, faintly toothed. Flowers almost solitary, petals yellow with red dots at the base, where are two tubercles; August. Native of Britain, but rare. There is a val grandiflora with larger flowers, 1 inch across.
S. Hurri (Huet’s). Stems reclining, 3 inches high. Leaves kidney- shaped or spoon-shaped, fleshy. Flowers small, numerous; May to August. Annual. Native of Asia Minor. Plate 88. :
S. HYPNOIDES (Hypnum-moss-like). Eve’s-Cushion; Mossy Sax! frage. Barren shoots long, reclining. Flowering shoots 3 to 8 inches long. Radical leaves three- to five-lobed. Stem-leaves variable, from very slender to broad, more or less lobed. Flowers bell-shaped, white, 1 inch across; May to July. A native species much cut up by various authors.
S. LIGULATA (strap-shaped). Stems 1 foot. Leaves egg-shaped, toothed, fringed with fine hairs. Flowers white, suffused with red, borne in a forking panicle; March to May.
S. LONGIFOLIA (long-leaved). Stemless. Leaves radical, forming ® dense rosette; very narrow, leathery, 6 inches long, with cartilaginous,
THICK-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE
)
(SAXIFRAGA CRASSIFOLIA
1/, Nat. size
PL. 89
SAXIFRAGES 187
toothed margins. Flowers white, dotted with red, disposed in a dense pyramidal panicle, a foot high; J uly.
S. MAWEANA (Maw’s). Lower leaves roundish, kidney-shaped, on flattened stalks, forming a loose rosette; upper leaves wedge-shaped, three-lobed. Flowers white, f-inch in diameter, on erect stalks 4 to 6 inches long; May and June.
S. OPPOSITIFOLIA (opposite-leaved). Stems tufted, creeping, 6 to 18 inches long. Leaves small, opposite, thickened towards the blunt tip, and fringed with bristles; overlapping like the tiles on a roof, in four series. Flowers bell-shaped, bright purple, solitary, 4-inch across; April and May. A native of Britain, affecting Alpine rocks. There are several varieties: alba, with white flowers; major, with larger flowers ; Pyrenaica superba, more erect, flowers twice the size of the type, rosy lilac ; splendens, with rosy crimson flowers,
S. PELTATA (peltate-leaved). Umbrella Plant. Stems 2 feet. Leaves round, 6 to 12 inches in diameter, six- to ten-lobed, the lobes toothed ; leaf- stalks attached to centre of underside (peltate), which is pale coloured. Flowers white or rosy, }-inch across, in large cymes; April.
S. PURPURASCENS (purplish). Stemless, 3 to 6 inches high. Leaves large, oval with somewhat wavy margins, polished, sometimes with impressed dots. Flowers purple, nearly an inch across, nodding, in few- flowered corymbose panicles; June.
S. RETUSA (tip of leaf indented). Stems few-leaved, erect, 14 inch. Plant similar to 8. oppositifolia, but with pink flowers; May and June. Leaves three-angled, with perforated dots.
S. sanora (holy). Stems smooth and leafy, densely tufted and rigid. Leaves lance-shaped, toothed and keeled, overlapping. Flowers yellow, in short dense spike ; May to August.
S. SARMENTOSA (twiggy). Creeping Sailor; Strawberry Begonia; Mother of Thousands ; Wandering Jew, etc. Leaves almost round, with
like runners are produced from the rootstock. Half-hardy. Plate 87, The var. tricolor has the foliage blotched with white and red.
S. UMBROSA (shady). London Pride ; St. Patrick’s Cabbage ; None so Pretty ; Painter’s Despair, ete. Leaves broadly oval, leathery, narrowed into the stout leaf-stalk, round-toothed, forming rosettes. Flowers white, often spotted with red, {-inch across, in panicled cymes ; sepals reddish, anthers red; June and July. A native of Ireland. Plate 88,
188 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
beta cctece Most of the species being perennial and tufted, are "most readily propagated by divisions. The rootstock of S. umbrosa sends out so many branches that it forms dense masses from which tufts may be cut, and these root readily without flagging. The smaller mossy kinds are as readily increased, but in their case the divided portions should be kept moist and in the shade until firmly rooted. Those with runners, like S. sarmentosa, should be pegged down in pots and rooted before separating from the parent. As a rule, the Saxifrages thrive best on rock-gardens, but a few (indicated in above list) are natives of marshy ground, and for these provision should be made by a liberal admixture of peaty soil in their compost. A very beautiful effect may be obtained by forming a special Saxifrage garden on the rockery principle, with S. wmbrosa and S. cotyledon occupying the heights, where their abundant and graceful panicles show to perfection. The mossy section would grow between and over the stones at various heights, according to size and robustness, whilst moisture-loving kinds could be accommodated at-the foot. The half-hardy kinds should be kept moder- ately dry during the winter, and care must be taken to prevent moisture gathering in the dense foliage at this period. They are all among the most easily cultivated of plants. The annual species sow themselves. | Description of Plate 87 represents Saxifraga sarmentosa, or Creeping. Plates 87 to 89. Sailor, of the natural size, with a runner (sfolon) and young plant. Fig. 1 is an enlarged flower in section, showing the dissimilarity _ in size and colour of the petals.
Plate 88 includes two species: A is S. umbrosa, or London Pride, natural size. Fig. 1 is an enlarged view of a flower, and Fig. 2 is a section through the carpels of the same. B is S. Huetii, a portion being enlarged in Fig. 8; the seed, natural size and enlarged, at Fig. 4; and a seedling, Fig. 5.
Plate 89 gives a half-sized portrait of S. crassifolia, the thick-leaved Saxifrage, with its thick rootstock and its dense panicle of rosy flowers, one of which is shown in section at Fig. 1; 2 represents the detached carpels.
HYDRANGEAS Natural Order SaxirRacEx. Genus ydranged
Hyprancea (Greek, hydor, water, and aggeion, a vase or vessel ; from me sevicae of the fruit), A genus of about thirty shrubs or trees, with opposite, stalked leaves and showy flowers in large terminal corymbs oF
gee g A ¢ * gt & ne a a
HYDRANGEA HORTENSIA Nat. size
PL. 90
HYDRANGEAS 189
panicles. The fertile flowers are small, but others develop their sepals enormously, at the expense of the sexual organs, and consequently are barren. In a normal flower the petals are four or five ; calyx five- toothed; stamens eight or ten; styles four or five. The species are chiefly Asiatic, but a few come from North America; the latter are more hardy, but less ornamental than those from Asia.
The Hydrangeas as garden plants are comparatively modern, H. arborescens, the species with which we have been longest acquainted, having been introduced from Virginia in 1736, and H. radiata from the same locality fifty years later. Both these species have greenish white flowers ; but in 1790, Sir Joseph Banks made us acquainted with a pink-flowered species by his introduction of H. Hortensia from China. This, in one or other of its varietal forms, has been popular in cultivation ever since. In more recent years new varieties of this species have been imported from Japan, in addition to those raised by selection in our own gardens, and new species have been discovered. Amo these are H. paniculata (1874), H. Thunbergii (1874), H. petiolaris (1876), and H. scandens (1879)—all from Japan. The likeness subsisting between. these showy balls of sterile blooms and those of Vibwrnum, or Guelder Rose, is very striking ; and one is not greatly surprised to learn that the same causes produce similar results in Orders as widely separated as are SAXIFRAGEZ and CApPRIFOLIACER,
HYDRANGEA ARBORESCENS (tree-like). Stems 4 to 6 feet. Leaves oval, inclined to heart-shaped, the upper ones — lance-shaped, coarsely toothed, pale and covered with minute down beneath. Flowers greenish white, in rather flat corymbs, and with an agreeable scent ; July and August.
H. Horrensia (a former name of the genus). Common Hydrangea or Hortensia. Stems 2 to 5 feet high. Leaves broadly oval, saw-toothed. Flowers large, pink, white or blue, according to the nature of the soil, variable in size and number of parts, but disposed in large globular corymbs ; fertile individuals few ; April to September. Plate 90. There are several varieties of this species, among them var. Inndleyi (includ- ing the garden vars. roseo-alba and cwrulescens), with the outer flowers only radiate, white, rosy or blue; var. otaksa, with nearly all the flowers sterile; var. stellata, flowers yellowish green, turhing to rose-colour, all sterile; var. variegata, leaves variegated red or yellow.
: H. PANICULATA (panicled). Somewhat similar, but leaves often in
threes, downy ; flowers small, white, in a dense panicle a foot long; June to September. When well-grown all the flowers are sterile and pure white, in an enormous panicle. :
1—z
History.
Principal Species.
190 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
H. PETIOLARIS (stalked). Stem slender, branching, rooting into its support, like ivy. Flowers white in broad flattened cymes, 6 to 8 inches across; April and May. Requires the protection of a cool greenhouse.
H. QUERCIFOLIA (oak-leaved). Stems 4 to 6 feet. Leaves large, oval, lobed and toothed in a similar manner to those of the Oak. Flowers greenish white, or pink, in large flattened corymbs; June to August.
H. Tuunserei (Thunberg’s). Stems 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves smaller. Flowers blue or rosy, in terminal cymes; June; half-hardy.
Hydrangeas are readily propagated in summer by means of cuttings, or by taking off the suckers that grow up from the base of the stems. The plants require a sheltered position out of doors, and a rich, moist soil. Should the soil be light and poor, con- siderable improvement may be effected by mixing in decayed cow-manure. H. paniculata forms a shrub 3 feet high and produces in summer enormous panicles of white flowers; the old stems require to be cut down to the ground every year as soon as the flowers are over. In the South of England near the sea they are common garden bushes, so well do they thrive. To our mind, such bushes, four or five feet high covered with enormous corymbs of flowers, are better worth looking at or having than the more fashionable but stiff pot specimens, with a single stem upon which grows a big head of flowers, out of proportion to the size of its support. For this method of culture in pots, cuttings are placed singly in pots and brought on in a frame, which is kept close and warm, and there left through the summer. In early autumn they must be gradually hardened, and finally placed outside with full exposure to the sun. With this treatment the wood will ripen and the leaves fade. This is the signal for withholding the water that has hitherto been given in abundance ; and as the pots dry they should be removed to a cool house and wintered dry. Between the middle of January and the middle of February they should be turned out and repotted in five- or six-inch pots, using a mixture of equal parts loam and cow-manure. Increase the temperature and give water, and growth will at once commence. If the cuttings were taken from the tops of robust shoots they will soon show the flower-buds under this treatment; and as these begin to increase 2 size, artificial manure should also be given until the big corymb is well expanded. For bush plants in the garden the treatment is much simpler. Old plants that have flowered may be cut down, but a number of young shoots will break from the base. When partially ripened these may be : removed, and they will readily root; they may then be planted straight
into the border, and if well-watered and manured will soon form large flowering clumps. As a rule, where the soil is well-drained they surv!V°
Culture,
DEUTZIA GRACILIS
3/, Nat. size
PL. 91
DEUTZIAS” . IQI
the winter outdoors without protection, but in very cold or exposed situations they should be covered with dry fern or similar protective material. Description of Hydrangea Hortensia, the Common Hydrangea, is here shown a little less than the natural size. The upper corymb consists entirely of sterile flowers, but below it is a similar cluster of fertile flowers with four barren flowers at its circumference. F ig. 1 shows a fertile flower enlarged, and Fig. 2 an enlarged section through the carpels of the same.
DEUTZIAS Natural Order SAxIrRAGEX. Genus Deutzia
DEUTZIA (name given by Thunberg in honour of his friend Johann Deutz). A small genus, comprising only about seven species, of deciduous shrubs of a very ornamental character. They have opposite, stalked and toothed leaves, oval or lance-shaped, and covered with star-shaped hairs. The flowers are white or pinkish, scentless. Petals five; stamens ten, five long and five short; the filaments often dilated, and three-lobed near the extremity, the middle lobe bearing the anther, Ovary three- or four-celled, with as many erect thread-shaped styles. Capsule globular, leathery, opening by several slits in the middle. Natives of India, China, and J apan. They are spring-flowering shrubs, but by forcing, flowers are obtained from J anuary onwards.
: EUTZIA CORYMBOSA (flowers in corymbs). Stems 5 feet high. Leaves oblong or lance-shaped. Flowers white, corymbs panicled. Native of Himalaya.
D. CRENATA (round-toothed leaves). Stems slender, 4 to 8 feet. Leaves broad, lance-shaped, with rigid teeth ; rough to the touch. Flowers white, in panicles or racemes. The ordinary form is better known in gardens as D. scwbra, but there is a true D. scabra (not cultivated); it is also known as D. Fortunei, but these are mere garden names. There are two double varieties: flore pleno, with pink and white flowers; and purpurea plena, with flowers of a deeper tint. Native of Japan.
____ D. eraciis (slender). Stems numerous, slender, 3 to 5 feet high. Leaves small, oval, smooth, saw-toothed. Flowers small, white,
numerous, in terminal racemes; March to May. Natiy Pls oF ay. ative of Japan.
Species,
1g2 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
D. STAMINEA (prominent stamens). Stems 3 feet high. Leaves broad, lance-shaped, woolly beneath. Flowers white, fragrant ; corymbs many-flowered; May and June. Native of Himalaya.
Deutzias are hardy shrubs in the South of England, and may be grown in the border, but a wintry spring is likely to spoil that season’s floral display so far as these plants are concerned. It has, therefore, been customary to grow them more as pot-plants, and as subjects for forcing in order that their flowers may be available in the first days of the year. They are not particular as to soil or position, but a rich loam is the most suitable. For potting this should be improved by the incorporation of well-rotted cow- manure and sharp sand. Cuttings should be taken from the lateral shoots, and slipped off with a heel. These may be rooted in a shady border or in a cold frame. In autumn they should be potted if required for indoor use, or planted out in the shrubbery border. Those in pots should be placed in cold frames, where they will gradually develop during the winter, and from which they may be taken in succession and brought into a higher temperature gradually. They do well between 45° and 50°, producing leaves as well as flowers, whereas at a higher temperature the flowers precede the leaves. For foreing “D. gracilis stands unrivalled, but the same plant should not be forced two seasons in succession.
Description of A flowering shoot of Deutzia gracilis, reduced about
Plate 91. one-third from the natural size. The extra figures are— I, an enlargement of the flower; 2, a section of the same; 3, a stamen, 4, the calyx and female organs, after removal of the petals and stamens.
Cultivation.
JAPANESE SPIREA
Natural Order SAxrrRAGEH Genus Astilbe
ASTILBE (Greek, a, without, and stilbe, lustre or brightness, from the 4 : smallness of the flowers). A small genus of branching herbs, with slender stems and compound leaves. The flowers are similar to those
of the genus Sazifraga. Stamens eight or ten; earpels three. They
are natives of Asia and North-East America. As garden plants they are distinctly modern, all having been introduced during ‘the present century. Astilbe japonica may be said to have a_ history, which ee
consists, however, of a record of its being bandied about from one genus
to another. Formerly regarded as a species of Spirewa, it was not only
JAPANESE SPIREA (ASTILBE JAPONICA) S 2/, Nat. size PL. 92
JAPANESE SPIREA 193
called S. japonica but S. barbata also. It has also been described under the name of Hoteia japonica, and may be found in gardens and in florists’ catalogues under either name, but its correct designation is Astilbe japonica.
ASTILBE JAPONICA (Japanese). Stems 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves compound, of nine to twelve lance - shaped or narrow-oval leaflets with toothed edges; the leafstalks hairy at the joints. The flowers are small, white, associated in dense racemed panicles; May and June. Native of Japan. Plate 92. There are several varieties in cultivation. One of these, var. Joliis purpurea, has purplish stems and leaves; another, var. variegata, has the leaves prettily marked with yellow, and denser panicles. .
A. RIVULARIS (growing by rivulets).. Stems 3 feet high. Leaflets Six or nine, oval, double-toothed, hairy. Flowers creamy to reddish; July and August. Native of Nepal.
A. RUBRA (red). Stems 4 to 6 feet high. Leaflets six, oblique, heart-shaped, toothed. Flowers rosy, in dense panicles; J uly to September. Native of India.
A. THUNBERGIT (Thunberg’s). Stems sub-shrubby, somewhat downy, 20 inches high. Leaves unequally pinnate; leaflets oval, toothed, of a yellowish hue. Flowers white, small, in erect pyra- midal panicles; May. Introduced from Japan within the last twenty years.
Principal Species,
The species mentioned are most suitable for damp places, although they will grow anywhere if freely watered and well-manured. Without these conditions, they may leaf freely, but their panicles of ‘flowers will be thin and insignificant, and the foliage liable to turn brown at the edges. A. rubra should be turned out of doors only in summer. They are all well-suited for pot- culture, and A. japonica and A. Thunbergii are much used for forcing. Propagation is effected in spring by division of the clumps, the portions being planted out in partial shade, in heavily-manured soil. In autumn, if required for decorative purposes, these should be taken up and potted in equally rich soil, the pots being then plunged into ashes or cocoa-nut fibre. When the new roots have had time to fill the pots, the plants may be successively brought into heat and forced into’ blossom early in the new year. From the time growth commences, water must be given in abundance, and to ensure a sufficiency the pots should stand in deep saucers of water. Large numbers are imported from the Continent every year for greenhouse or table decoration, and very commonly after they have served this purpose they are allowed to dry
u.—8 .
Cultivation.
194 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
up and die quickly, though with very little attention they might be preserved for garden use. Description of Upper portions of both leafy and flowering shoots of Plate 92. Astilbe japonica. Fig. 1 is a separate flower greatly enlarged to exhibit the parts.
GRASS OF PARNASSUS Natural Order Saxirracex. Genus Parnassia
PaRNAssIA (from Mount Parnassus, Dioscorides having named the common species Grass of Parnassus). A genus of about a dozen slender, erect perennial herbs, with entire, chiefly radical, leaves and solitary flowers, large in proportion to the plant. The floral parts are in fives, the petals thick and enduring. They are distributed throughout the Arctic and Temperate regions of the globe.
PARNASSIA PALUSTRIS (marsh-loving) is a native of our own bogs and wet moors. It attains a height of about 6 inches only. The leaves are heart-shaped, mostly radical, and these have long footstalks. The stem-leaves are stalkless, and only one to each stem, about half-way between rootstock and flower. The flowers are about an inch across, the leathery petals white, strongly veined with green; August and — September.
Grass of Parnassus should be provided for in the garden by : utilising a damp-hollow, digging out the ordinary soil and filling in with peat. Here may be grown a number of bog-loving plants of considerable beauty, such as the Bog-bean (Menyanthes), Sundews (Drosera), Bog-Asphodel (¥, arthecium), and others. Parnassia may be propagated by seeds or by division of the rootstock.
SYRINGA OR MOCK ORANGE Natural Order Saxtrracrx. Genus Philadelphus
PHILADELPHUS (Greek, brotherly love). A genus of about a dozen species of hardy shrubs, with opposite leaves and white or straw-coloured flowers. The flowers ordinarily consist of a four-lobed calyx, four petals, and from twenty to forty stamens. They are natives of North America,
Japan and Himalaya. Although popularly known as Syringas, these
SCARLET CRASSULA
)
3/, Nat. size
(ROCH EA COCCINEA
PL. 93
ESCALLONIAS 195
plants have no right to this title, which is the botanical name for the Lilacs. All the species are worth growing, but the best-known and most widely cultivated is—
PHILADELPHUS CORONARIUS (garland), the Common Syringa, or Mock Orange. A bush with straight stems, 4 to 10 feet high. Leaves oval, saw-toothed, with the flavour of cucumbers both to the taste and smell. Flowers white, fragrant, in racemes, of which the terminal flower is five-parted; May. A native of Asia, but cultivated in this country for three hundred years. There are a number of varieties, some of which may be briefly mentioned. Vars, jlore pleno and primuleflorus have double flowers; var. Soliis-argenteo-variegatis has the leaves edged with white; var, foliis-aureis has golden-yellow leaves; var. nanus is a dwarf form.
P. GRANDIFLORUS (large-flowered). Stems slender, 6 to 10 feet high. Leaves nearly round, with irregular teeth ; downy when young. Flowers large, white, fragrant; June. Introduced from United States (1811).
P. MICROPHYLLUS (small-leaved). Stems and branches slender, erect. Leaves small, lance-shaped or oblong, not toothed. Flowers white, at end of shoots, solitary or in groups of three. Native of New Mexico (1883).
These plants thrive in ordinary garden ‘soil. Some of them soon grow into large shrubs unless well cut back each year. After the flowers have faded the flowering-stems should be cut away ; this will allow the new growths to ripen better, thus assuring a finer display of bloom next year, and will prevent the bush getting too large and unsightly. Propagation may be accomplished in spring by separating the suckers that shoot up around the base; or by taking cuttings from young shoots and striking them in a frame or under a
- Cultivation.
_- handlight, keeping them moist. P. Lemoini is suitable for forming
large beds on the lawn.
ESCALLONIAS Natural Order SAxIFRAGEH. Genus Escallonia
ESCALLONIA (named by Linneus the younger in honour of Escallon, a _ Spanish traveller, who discovered E. floribunda, the first known species). A genus of hardy or half-hardy evergreen shrubs, comprising about thirty-five species, all natives of South America. The leaves are tough, seattered ; flowers red or white, in terminal racemes or panicles. Calyx spreading with five teeth ; petals five, with long, broad, erect claws and
195 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
spreading limbs. Stamens five style one; stigma two-lobed. In the South of England they are quite hardy, and in the South-West they grow very rapidly and flower freely. They are frequently planted to form hedges, for which purpose they are well suited. The species most commonly cultivated is—
ESCALLONIA MACRANTHA (large-flowered). Stems, 10 feet high, rough with glands. Leaves elliptic, blunt-toothed, dark and shining above, pale and dull below, closely dotted with glands. Flowers large crimson red in terminal racemes, honeyed ; June to September. Intro- duced from Chiloe (1848). A common plant in gardens on the South- West coast, Ireland, ete.
Given a well-drained situation with favourable temper-
Cultivation. : ature, and the character of the soil appears to be of no moment to these shrubs ; they appear to do best near the sea. They are
easily propagated by suckers from the base, by layering, or by cuttings.
from the half-ripe wood in autumn.
FLOWERING CURRANTS Natural Order SAXIFRAGER. Genus Ribes
Ries (from Ribas, an Arabic name for some medicinal plant). A genus including between fifty and sixty species of hardy shrubs, with scattered, stalked leaves, solitary. Calyx tubular or bell-shaped, four- or five-toothed, often coloured ; petals minute, scale-like, in the throat of the calyx. Stamens four or five ; styles two. Fruit a globose berry. Natives of the Northern Temperate regions and the Andes; four species British. Several species are well known in gardens on account of the juicy fruit they produce, viz. R. grossularia, the gooseberry ; R. rubrum, the red currant; and R. nigrum, the black currant ; but with those we have no concern here, for their flowers are insignificant. The only species we shall describe are grown on account of their ornamental flowers, though the fruit of the first is very desirable.
RIBES AUREUM (golden). Buffalo Currant. A smooth, unarmed shrub, about 6 or 8 feet high. Leaves three-lobed, deeply toothed.
and white, yellow, red, or green flowers, in racemes or
Ben : s i ear hes sie ame eteRh AD 82, So *22 Ss SR BS Si SS reid mea PN hire seat Eo TOR earthen SPOTS RITE Meee |
Rene Hes ee eee tee
CRASSULA FALCATA .
2/, Nat. size
PL. 94
CRASSULAS | 197
armed shrub, 4 to 8 feet high. Leaves heart-shaped, five-lobed, toothed, somewhat smooth above, woolly beneath. Flowers deep rosy, in long downy racemes, appearing before the leaves in early spring. Introduced from California (1826.)
R. spEciosuM (showy). Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberry. Stems 6 to 8 feet high (less in a wild state), the branches bristly, spines in threes below the axils. Leaves somewhat three-lobed with wedge-shaped base, smooth. Flowers deep red, with stamens twice their length, produced in threes; May. Introduced from California (1829).
Nothing could be simpler than the cultivation of these plants. Almost any piece broken off and stuck in the soil will root. Properly-made cuttings are as easy to strike, and the pliant stems if layered root readily. Soil is of little moment. R. speciosum is a beautiful wall plant.
Cultivation.
CRASSULAS Natural Order CrassuLacEx. Genus Rochea
RocHEA (name commemorative of M. de la Roche, a French botanist). A genus comprising about four species of fleshy shrubs, with opposite fleshy leaves, connate at the base, quite entire. The flowers are borne in terminal umbellate cymes; white, pink, or searlet in colour. The calyx is five-lobed, the corolla tubular, salver-shaped, five-parted. Stamens five; carpels five. The species are restricted to the Cape of Good Hope. -
Rochea coccinea, the only well-known species, was first brought to England in the year 1710 from Table Mountain, South Africa; R. odoratissima came from the same neighbourhood in 1793, R. jasminea in 1815, and R. versicolor a couple of years later, None of these can be said to be widely grown by amateurs, though the professional growers turn out large quantities of R. coccinea and Rh. jasminea in bloom for decorative purposes. The reason for this neglect is to be found in the necessity for a hot-house in order to grow them well—unless one is a cottager, and possesses one of those deep window recesses where so many good things thrive.
RocHEA coccinea (scarlet). Stems 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves ovate-oblong, half-clasping the stem. Flowers searlet, an inch long ; June to August. Plate 93. : ____ RB. gasminea (Jasmine-like). Stems leaning upon the ground.
Leaves lance-shaped, blunt. Flowers in shape much like those of the Jasmine ; white at tirst, afterwards turning reddish; April and May. A series of hybrids between Crassula Jaleata and R. jasmine in ll.—9
History.
Species.
198 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
which the characters of the two are happily combined are now well known in gardens. They have pink, red, pale pink, and variegated flowers.
R. oporatissiMa (fragrant). Stems erect, 12 to 20 inches high, rough, sometimes branched. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped or awl-shaped. Flowers creamy white, pale yellow, or rosy, an inch long, sweet-scented, in many-flowered cymes; June and J uly.
R. VERSICOLOR (changeable). Stems erect, branched, 2 feet. Leaves lance-shaped, sheathing, with fringed edges. Flowers red, white within with the exception of a red margin, the colour from which gradually spreads all over the interior; in terminal umbels; fragrant at evening; May to September. .
The suggestions to be given under this head apply to the closely-allied genera of Rochea and Crassula, which are alike in general structure and habitat. They should all be grown in pots, for they need to be wintered in a greenhouse and kept dry. The soil that suits them best is a compost of sandy loam, three parts, to one part each of well-rotted manure, leaf-mould, and small brick rubbish. : They are propagated by seeds, but chiefly from cuttings taken in July. These should be laid in the sun for a couple of days at least before potting, in order to allow the cut portion to dry. This accomplished, insert in three-inch pots and place in the greenhouse in a dry and sunny position. Here they should remain until the following spring, when, as soon as growth commences, they should be shifted into larger (five-inch) pots. When again well established, check the growth by nipping out the growing point, and withhold water for a couple of days. This treatment produces a series of lateral shoots which will all bear flowers. By further stopping, these may each be made to send out branches until a bush has been formed sufficiently large to satisfy the grower, but with each stage in this process a shift should be made to a correspondingly larger pot, and the shoots must be tied out to neat little sticks. After flowering each shoot requires to be cut back until not more than two inches long, and when growth has again started cut back the longest roots and re-pot, giving them fresh sojl but no larger pots. Water should now be given sparingly, only in sufficient quantity to keep the soil moist until the new roots have got well hold of it. During the growing peri they should have sufficient water, but it needs to be given with care, and the drainage must be perfect. During winter it is essential that 10 — more water than suffices to prevent the flesh shrivelling be given to them.
Description of A single-branched stem of Rochea coccinea with two Fiate%. flower heads. These are reduced by about one-fourth from the natural size. At F ig. 1 is shown an enlarged section of a flower.
Cultivation.
COTYLEDON RETUSA
Nat. size
SICKLE CRASSULA 199
SICKLE CRASSULA Natural Order CrassuLacex. Genus Crassula
CRASSULA (from Latin, crassus, thick, from the leaves). A genus com- prising about one hundred and sixteen species of fleshy shrubs and herbs, mostly South African, and requiring greenhouse treatment in this country. The description of Rochea applies to Crassula, except that in the former genus the petals are united to form a tube, whilst in Crassula they are free throughout their length or united only at the base.
From the commencement of the eighteenth century, when Crassulas began to be introduced from the Cape, we have kept up a very steady importation of new species from the same source every few years, and yet very few of the species are at all widely grown. We might indeed go further and say only one species is fairly well known—C. falcata. This is the most striking from the floral standpoint, but several others are worthy of cultivation, if only for their ornamental or grotesque appearance. C. perfoliata appears to have been the first introduced (1700), C. falcata ninety-five years later, with many others in between and since, one of the latest being C. alpestris (1878).
CRASSULA ARBORESCENS (tree-like). Stems round, erect, 2 to 3 feet. The opposite leaves are flat and roundish, ending in a little hard point, glaucous, dotted above. Flowers large, rosy, in panicled cymes; May.
C. Fatcata (sickle-leaved). Stems 3 to 8 feet high. Leaves thick, oblong, blunt- pointed, glaucous, bent somewhat in form of. sickle. Flowers bright crimson, occasionally white, in dense terminal corymbs ; June to September. Plate 94.
Description of The upper portion of a flowering stem of Crassula Plate 94. falcata. Fig. 1 is a detached flower enlarged, Fig. 2 a section of the same. For cultural directions, see Rochea.
History.
Principal Species.
COTYLEDONS Natural Order CrassuLacem. Genus Cotyledon
CoTyLEDON (Greek, kotyle, a cup or cavity, from the hollowed leaves of some species). A genus of about sixty fleshy herbs or small shrubs.
Leaves usually alternate, thick, fleshy. Flowers in terminal spikes or
¢
200 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
racemes. Calyx five-parted; corolla - tube cylindric or urn -shaped, rounded or five-angled, lobes five. Stamens ten : carpels five, with thread- like styles. Fruit a many-seeded follicle. The species are distributed throughout the West and South of Europe, the whole of Africa, Mexico, and temperate Asia.
The plants now brought together by botanists into the genus Cotyledon were formerly separated into the genera Cotyledon, Echeveria, Pachyphytum, Pistorinia, and Umbilicus. The remembrance of this fact may obviate some confusion. One solitary species is indigenous—Cotyledon umbilicus, the Navelwort, confined chiefly to the Western coasts. Among the earliest of the foreign species to be introduced was C. orbiculata, two hundred years ago, from the Cape, whence also came C. hemispherica in 1731, and C. fascicularis in 1759. Four years before the beginning of this century C. cwspitosa was introduced from California; whilst the well-known C. gibbiflora (1826), C. seewnda (1837), and C. retusa (1846) all came from Mexico. There are numerous hybrids in cultivation.
COTYLEDON AGAVOIDES (Agave-like).. Flowering stem slender, 8 to 12 inches high. Leaves ovate, narrowed to a spiny point, glaucous, forming rosettes. Flowers orange, few. Native of Mexico.
C. ATROPURPUREA (dark purple). Stem stout, short, with leaves forming an Aloe-like rosette at its summit. Leaves egg-shaped, dark purple, with a “bloom” upon them. Flower-stem erect, bearing a long raceme of five-sided bright purplish-red flowers, white towards the base. Introduced from Mexico (1869).
C. FULGENS (shining). Stem 4 to 6 inches high, with leafy flowering branches, 12 to 18 inches long. Leaves egg-shaped, pale glaucous, in a thin rosette. Flowers wax-like, coral red, with yellow base; in panicled _ Tacemes. Native of Mexico. eo. C. GIBBIFLORA (humped flowers). Stems branched, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves wedge-shaped, ending in a sharp hard point ; crowded at tops of branches, Flowers, white at base, scarlet towards the tips of the humped ae Spe Seen along the spreading branches of the panicle; lento, eens var. metallica has metallic-looking, purple- foal weg “i =i — across. The flowers are yellowish, "many garden varieties ng med, many-flowered panicle. There are rmisk ae (large - flowered). Stems 1 to 2 feet. Leaves — ~ > Weege-shaped ; white or glaucous; lower ones forming a
History.
PrincipalSpecies.
COTYLEDON SECUNDA, var. glauca = Nat. size PL. 96
COTYLEDONS 201
rosette. Flowers reddish orange, tinged with purple, in panicles; October. Native of Mexico (1828).
C. Peacockit (Peacock’s). Flower-stem lateral, slender, reddish brown; 1 foot. Leaves spoon-shaped, large, pale glaucous, edged with red, forming a close rosette. Flowers bright red; July. Introduced from Mexico (1874).
C. RETUSA (blunt-leaved). Flowering stem 14 foot high. Leaves spoon-shaped, glaucous, the largest faintly toothed; stem-leaves narrow, quite entire. Flowers scarlet in panicles; petals keeled, humped at the base. In the greenhouse this flowers freely from November to April. Plate 95.
C. sECUNDA (turned aside—in reference to flower-stem). Flowering stem 1 foot high. Leaves wedge-shaped, with a stiff point at tip, glaucous, forming a rosette. Flowers red externally, yellow within; petals keeled; June to August. There are several varieties, of which glauca, figured on Plate 96, is one of the best.
C. UMBILICUS (navel). Wall Pennywort; Pennypies; Navelwort. Leaves roundish, hollowed in centre, stalk attached to centre of under- side (peltate). Flowers greenish white, drooping, in long erect racemes ; May and June. This is a hardy native of neat habit, suitable for growing in the crevices of old walls, where its singular flowers have a pretty effect.
Cotyledons make handsome pot-plants for decorative purposes, and are invaluable where ornamental bedding is carried out. They require winter protection, but in most cases the shelter of a dry frame, covered with mats in severe weather, is sufficient. Some, however, like C. gibbiflora, must be kept almost dry in a dry, warm house during the winter. The great danger to be guarded against in plants of this character is damping-off from too much moisture at the roots, or from drip upon the leaves. A well-drained sandy loam is the best for successfully growing Cotyledons. Many of the species and varieties are suitable for window-gardening. Propagation is sometimes effected by seeds (necessarily so in the case of annual species), but usually by cuttings and divisions, or by detaching -leaves and striking them. Cuttings should be taken early in summer, and they should be allowed to dry at the severed part before putting them into a close, cool frame until rooted. Early in autumn these cuttings should be potted in sandy - loam and placed in the greenhouse. Some of the species produce few or no offshoots, and from these leaves must be carefully pulled off without injury in autumn. These are laid on dry sand in pans in a warm house. No water should be given until tiny plants have formed at the edge of
IL.——iG
Cultivation.
Fei
:: "a a 4 a Ne
202 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
the leaf; then they must be watered, and as soon as sufficiently grown they should be potted. Description of Plate 95. Cotyledon retusa. Fig. 1, enlarged flower; Plates and Fic. 2, section of same. Plate 96. C. secunda, var. glauca. Fig. 1, enlarged section of flower; Fig. 2, transverse section of fruit.
PETS gee Sere sah pacientes
STONECROPS Natural Order CRASSULACEH. Genus Sedum
SEDUM (Latin, sedeo, to sit, from the half-recumbent habit of some of the species). A large genus of succulent herbs, usually with alternate leaves and white, yellow, pink, or blue flowers in cymes. The calyx is four- or five-lobed ; petals separate, four or five; stamens four or five; carpels four or five, distinct or joined at the base, styles short. The fruits are follicles. The one hundred and twenty known species are distributed through the Temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and a few in America. . No less than eight species of Sedwm are indigenous to Britain, and having regard to the neat habit of most of these, and the fact that we began introducing exotic species three undred years ago, it is no wild shot to surmise that from very early times our wild Sedums found place in our gardens. On the garden walls, the fanciful grottoes, and the roofs of garden sheds they would have their place, as we may gather from their names of Wall Pepper and Small Houseleeks; besides being used for bordering, for which purpose S. aere and similar dwarf forms are so suitable. The first foreign species to be introduced was S. Anacampseros from the a Continent in 1596, followed by another European species, S. Cepwa, 1640. 8. Aizoon, an old-fashioned garden plant, came from Siberia in 1757. 8. Ewersii, one of the best, though rather tender, is also Siberian (introduced 1829); whilst the somewhat similar 9. Sieboldii came from Japan in 1836. Principal Species, SEDUM ACRE (acrid). Wall Pepper, or Biting Stone crop. Stems 3 to 5 inches. Leaves thick, oval-oblong, blunt, humped at the base ; closely laid one on another in six series: : Flowers yellow, about half an inch across; June and July. The flowering stems are far less leafy than the barren ones. Native perennial. There are several garden varieties recognised; var. awrewm has the leaves of a
History.
V us
) Letter py,
Ri ii] [o#/ RAY)
SEDUM SPECTABILE
Nat. size
PL. 97
STONECROPS 203
_ golden yellow tint in spring; var. elegans has silvery leaves and tips of the shoots; var. majus, larger in all respects than the type. S. A1zoon (Aizoon-like). Stems, several, 1 foot high, erect, un- branched, somewhat angular. Leaves oblong-lance-shaped, coarsely toothed, with prominent midrib. Flowers yellow, }-inch diam., in loose panicled cymes ; July to September. Hardy perennial.
S. ALBUM (white). Stems, barren ones prostrate, flowering ones pinkish, erect, 6 to 10 inches. Leaves narrowly oblong, blunt, narrowed at base, spreading, alternate. Flowers white, nearly 3-inch diam., in corym- bose cymes; July and August. Native perennial, rare in the wild state.
S. ANGLIcUM (English). Flowering stems, glaucous or reddish, leafy, 1 to 2 inches. Leaves alternate, crowded, ovoid oblong, humped at the base. Flowers white or pink, }-inch diam., crowded at top of stem; petals lance-shaped, keeled, carpels pink; May to August. Native perennial. ;
S. CERULEUM (bright blue). Stems 2 to 3 inches, branched from
_the base. Leaves oblong, blunt, tufted; pale green dotted with red. Flowers pale blue, }-inch in diam., in many-flowered cymes; July. A bright little annual, introduced from the Mediterranean region (1822).
S. Ewersu (Ewers’). Rootstock thick, giving off many trailing and ascending branches. Leaves opposite, almost round, }-inch across, with heart-shaped, stem-clasping base. Flowers numerous, pink or violet, with darker spots; in dense globose cymes; August and September. Tender perennial.
_ §.GLaucum (glaucous). Barren stems, branched, 2 inches long ;
_ flowering stems 3 to 4 inches, reddish. Leaves very slender, greenish grey _ becoming reddish, }-inch long ; densely crowded. Flowers pinkish, in um- bellate cymes, many flowered; July. Hardy perennial; native of Europe.
S. JAPONICUM (Japanese). Stems diffuse. Leaves spreading, slightly reflexed, oblong, pointed, upper side channelled, lower convex. Flowers
_ yellow, in many-flowered, loose panicled cymes; June to August. Native of Japan (1866). Perennial.
S. Lyprum (Lydian). Barren stems purplish, erect, 2 to 3 inches ; flowering stems 4 to 5 inches. Leaves very slender, half-round, eared at base, raised dots at tip. Flowers minute, pinkish, in many-flowered corymbose cymes; July and August. A very neat little perennial introduced from Asia Minor in 1867.
: S. MAXIMUM (largest). Stems erect, 1 to 2 feet high, sometimes purple. Leaves opposite, oval, somewhat heart-shaped, clasping the Stem. Flowers whitish, spotted with red, in panicled cymes; August and September. Europe. There are a number of varieties of this fine
204 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
perennial, some of them being not particularly distinct, but var. corsicwm has yellow flowers; the vars. pachyphyllum, preruptorum, recur- vum, rigidum, and serotinum have greenish flowers, with small points of difference between themselves. The var. hamatodes has erect, deep purple stems over 2 feet high, and opposite purplish leaves 5 inches long and 3 inches broad, coarsely toothed ; whitish red-tipped flowers in panicled cymes.
S. REFLEXUM (turned back). Stone Orpine. Stems trailing. Leaves” cylindric with awl-shaped tips, spreading and reflexed, in about six series, crowded. Flowers bright yellow; July and August. Native perennial. . There is a smaller variety (albescens) with glaucous leaves, and pale. #4 yellow flowers; the leaves of the flowering stem differing from the type in not being reflexed. In the var. cristatum the stems are flattened out to a great extent, so that at their summit they are several inches broad.
S. ROSEUM (rosy). Rose-root. Rootstock woody, thick and
S. SARMENTOSUM (twiggy). Stems 4 to 6 inches high, pinkish, branched. Leaves almost cylindric, pointed at tip and slightly humped at base; crowded. Flowers numerous, bright yellow, }-inch in diam., combined in a flat-topped umbellate cyme. Native of China. Green- house perennial. Plate 98s,
S. Steso.pmi (Siebold’s). Stems branched, 9 inches; branches erect, purplish. Leaves nearly round or rounded wedge-shaped, bluish green with pinkish margins ; in whorls of three. Flowers pink, in umbellate cymes; August. Plate 98a. There is a variety with yellow variegation. Greenhouse perennial. i
S. SPECTABILE (worthy of notice). Stems 1} to 2 feet high. Leaves oval or spoon-shaped, slightly toothed, opposite or in whorls of three or four. Flowers pink, 4-inch in diam., in umbellate cymes; August to October. Hardy Perennial ; native of Japan. Plate 97.
S. TELEPHIUM (springing up). Common Orpine, or Live Long. Root- stock short and stout; stems from 6 inches to 2 feet high, sometimes spotted with red. Leaves as much as 3 inches long, oblong or oval, bluntly toothed. Flowers one-third of an inch across, pink, white, or white . spotted with pink, in dense corymbose cymes; J uly and August. Native perennial. There are a number of varieties of thi
ibceics The natural habitat of most species of Sedwm is upon — or ainong rocks, stony banks, old walls, and similar dry
7,
: i Vii: “Ba
(A) SEDUM SIEBOLDII (B) SEDUM SARMENTOSUM
Nat. size PL. 98
HOUSELEEKS 205
situations. S. rosewm, however, selects moist alpine rocks, whilst S. anglicum grows upon maritime rocky cliffs, and quite abundantly on isolated rock masses with scarcely any earth. In the garden they will grow almost anywhere, in the driest parts of the rock-garden, in the sunny border, or as parts of geometrical designs in ornamental bedding. Tender species like S. Siebuldii and S. Ewersii must be potted and given greenhouse protection. For potting, a loamy soil should be used, and a stone or two plunged in it, as they like to develop their roots round them. Propagation may be effected either by seeds, cuttings, or divisions. Cuttings may be taken at any time, but division of the clumps should be performed in spring to preserve their neat and regular appearance.
Description of Plate 97 shows the upper portions of the flowering Plates 97 and 98. stems of Sedwm spectabile. Figures 1 and 2 are separate
flowers, enlarged and cut through respectively. Plate 98 represents two of the greenhouse species—A, S. Sieboldii,
and I, an enlarged flower; B, S. sarmentosum.
HOUSELEEKS
Natural Order CrassuLAcEm. Genus Sempervivum
SEMPERVIVUM (the old Latin name, from semper and vivum, living for ever). A genus of about fifty succulent herbs or under-shrubs, with the radical leaves forming dense rosettes, and the stem-leaves alternate.
calyx is divided into six or many parts, the sepals agreeing in number with the divisions of the calyx. The stamens are usually twice the _ number of the petals, half of them sometimes imperfect or transformed into carpels. Carpels as many as petals; styles thread-like. The species are natives of Europe, North Africa, Madeira, the Canaries, Western Asia, _ and Himalaya.
Sempervivum tectorum, the well-known Houseleek, was introduced to this country from the Continent so ng ago that there is no record of its first appearance, and it is
former from the Canaries, and the other from Italy. S. soboliferum, if—-33
206 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
: from the remarkable Hen and Chickens Houseleek, was ner The Austria; and in 1731 §. globiferum was imported from hence’ i al well-known S. tabuleforme is a native of rome ria six years first brought in 1817 ; and 8. flagelliforme came from Si i nent later. Among the more recent introductions may ther-namel ae 8. Royeni (1874), known in gardens by half a dozen c troduced from whose native country is unknown, and JS. arenarium, intr ogee SEMPERVIVUM ARACHNOIDEUM (cobwebby). ee — stem4 to 6incheshigh. Leaves Real aieres: oe tips with minute glandular down; about fifty leaves in a ae bh hee on connected by long white hairs, and the outer oot er: crimson, the outer side; Stem-leaves with tuft of hairs at tip. ae otal three-quarters of an inch across, in dense cymes, panicled ; mee va : lance-shaped, nine to twelve in number; June. Plate 99. | |
ert is a larger form, : 6 ae secu (tree-like), Stem smooth, tree-like, ce feet high. Leaves smooth, wedge-shaped, forming rosettes - ck of the branches, Flowers golden yellow in a loose panicle ; Ma
t in a sunny December. The var. atropurpureum, when planted ou ata Position, becomes purple-black in colour; the var. variegatu the green leaves edged with white,
S. ARENARIUM (sand-lovin Leaves lance-shaped, the rosette. Flowers 1} to 1s August.
"S CANARIENSE (native of the Canaries). Stem 18 inches. ane Spoon-shaped, hairy, forming a rosette; stem-leaves oval, gr July. Owers white, with nine or ten slender petals; panicled; June an
S. FLAGELLIFORME (whip-like), closely covered with red-tj
g). Flowering stem 6 to 9 inches, ee edges finely fringed, about sixty — inch across ; petals six, pale yellow; Jun
across, in large panicles ; petals dull reddish; June to August. cok S. SOBOLIFERUy (bearing offshoots). Hen and Chickens House — Flowering stem robust, 6 to 9 inches, closely invested by leav Leaves wedge-shaped-ova]
Small rosettes produ
LEEK
EBBY HOUSE
COBW (SEMPERVIVUM ARACHNOIDEUM)
~~
size
Nat.
PL. 99
MYRTLE 207
are attached only by thread-like stems. Flowers with six or seven pale-yellow lance-shaped petals; in a dense panicle; June to August.
S. TABULEFORME (table-shaped). Leaves spoon-shaped, fringed, ‘closely packed in a flat rosette. Flowers pale sulphur-coloured, with ten to twelve narrow lance-shaped petals; June and Ju
S. TEcTorUM (roof-haunting). Common Houseleek, or Jupiter's Beard. Flowering stem, 1 foot long, velvety. Leaves wedge-shaped- oval, with purple tip and fringed edges; fifty or sixty forming a rosette. Flowers nearly an inch across, petals dull purple, lance-shaped, fringed ; panicled; July.
Sempervivums require no more special treatment than do Sedums. They all like a sandy soil, and they do not mind if it is hot and dry. Droughts have little terror for them. They are, therefore, very suitable for the driest coigns of rockwork old walls, old roofs, and so forth. The more tender greenhouse species must have some care taken of them during the winter, but in the middle of summer they may be turned out to decorate the beds or borders with advantage to both plants and beds. They are increased by seeds or divisions. Most of them produce offsets, and these, if separated, will soon send out independent roots and grow. Several of the species found in Madeira, i.e. S. arboreum, S. dorami, etc., are handsome greenhouse plants thriving in a strong loamy soil.
Description of Sempervivum arachnoideum, the Cobweb Houseleek,
Plate 99. is here shown of the natural size. Fig. 1 is a section, through a much-enlarged flower.
Cultivation.
MYRTLE Natural Order MyrtacE&. Genus Myrtus
Myrtus (Myrtos, the old Greek name). An extensive genus comprising about one hundred species of stove and greenhouse trees or shrubs. They vary greatly in size, from the dwarf M. nwmmularia, which spreads along the ground in the Falkland Isles, to the 30-feet tree of M. coriacea. The leaves are opposite and feather-veined, in some cases fragrant. The flowers consist of a top-shaped calyx-tube with four or five lobes ; an equal number of spreading petals ; twice as many, or an indefinite number of stamens; an ovary one- to six-celled, with simple style and stigma. The fruit is a dry or fleshy berry. The species are distributed throughout Tropical, Extra - tropical, and Western South America, Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean region.
208 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
One species of Myrtus has been held in great esteem from the most ancient times, and regarded as sacred to Venus. Of this, the typical species, M. communis, the Greeks wove the leafy shoots into wreaths for the victors in the Olympic games, and in other ways dignified it. To-day it is esteemed on account of the perennial freshness and fragrance of its varnished leaves, and the brightness of its sweet-scented flowers. Although none of the species is hardy throughout Britain, M. communis endures the winter tempera- ture of the extreme South and South-West of England. Even in other parts it may last for several years, and attain considerable size, but a little extra severity in the winter kills it right off. The Common Myrtle was introduced to Britain from Southern Europe in 1597, and other sepa have been brought from China, South America, and the West Indies since, but M. communis is the only one in general cultivation. Principal Species, YRTUS cOMMUNIS (common). Common Mpyrtle. Stem branching, 3 to 10 feet high. Leaves oval or lance- shaped, entire, glossy, marked with transparent dots. Flowers white, solitary from the axils; July. There are several varieties distinguished by the narrowness, broadness, or variegation of their leaves, and in the — single or double flowers. Plate 100. we M. Uant (the name ofa former genus). Myrtilla. Stems 4 feet high. amigo pointed, smooth, the margins turned back, darker above aE neath. Flowers white or pink, axillary, solitary ; May. Fruit g - ular, glossy, red or black, aromatic and edible. One plant in fruit hls sed the greenhouse. Its fruits are’ made into a preserve in Pas “ie Cornwall, where it is grown in kitchen-gardens. Native of Chili (introduced 1845). Greenhouse perennial. Cultivation, The soil most suitable for the Myrtle is sandy loam cultiveiich ee = leaf-mould has been freely added. In outdoor where the w aly oes planted against a wall in a sunny position, protection can be a u oe noce pes ee hati pe — is easily compassed, Pim winter. Their treatment in the greenhous shoial bi oe — be taken that the pots never get dry ; ed treated to f » have plenty of water at this period, and f . duent. syringings, Propagation is effected by cuttings rom partially-ripened wood. i oe , kad 2 PPL hig mserted in a close frame until well-roovet. Plate 100, 4; th tos ion of a flowering branch of Myrtus commun, ¢ flowers in all stages of development, but mostly
after the fall of the oe ; tals ; ‘ “ of a section thrdaph ue pea stamens. Fig. 1 is an enlarged drawing :
if they are planted in the compost mention@a. =
MYRTLE ©
(MYRTUS COMMUNIS) Nat. size PL 100
POMEGRANATE 209
POMEGRANATE Natural Order LyTHRARIEZ. Genus Punica
Punica (from the ancient name Maluwm punicum, or Punic Apple, pro- bably derived from punicans, ruddy). A genus comprising one solitary species, whose description will render unnecessary our usual divisions of matter. It has been in cultivation from very early times, the cool and refreshing pulp being greatly valued in warm climates. It appears to be a native of Persia and the neighbouring region, whence it has been introduced into the Tropics, and there widely cultivated. Our own country received the plant in the year 1548, and it was formerly far more widely grown here than is the custom at present. As it is very rarely that fruits ripen, or that even the flowers properly develop here, it is not to be wondered that more manageable plants have in a measure ousted it from our gardens. a. UNICA GRANATUM (grains). Stem woody, 20 to 30 "feet high. Leaves oblong or lance-shaped, entire, without the dots noticed in Myrtus. Flowers usually scarlet, occasionally white or yellowish ; calyx thick and fleshy at first, afterwards leathery, top- shaped, with five to seven lobes; the petals agree in number with the lobes of the calyx—except, of course, in the double varieties; June to September. Fruit about 3} inches across, with a tough leathery rind of a golden hue suffused with red. This rind contains a great quantity of tannin, and is made use of ‘in preparing morroco-leather. The fruit is singular from the fact that it is built up of two series of carpels, one above the other. The contained seeds are separately invested with a coating of clear pulp. In the typical form this is sweet to the taste, but in some of the varieties it is acid or astringent. There is a variety with large double flowers. This flowers annually on a south wall out of doors at Kew. There is also a whitish double-flowered variety. P. nana is much smaller in all respects, and scarcely exceeds 5 or 6 feet. The leaves are much narrower, flowers smaller, and the fruit _ searcely larger than a walnut. It was introduced from the West Indies _ as a distinct species in the year 1723. | _ P. nana is grown as a pot-plant for the conservatory, ae and on a wall in the open air at Kew. In some parts of Germany P. nana is grown in the form of little bushes a foot high, and made to flower profusely in autumn. It is used as a decorative plant for Il.—12
‘Cultivation.
210 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
rooms, ete. In the South and South-West of Britain, P. Granatwm may be grown out of doors, but it should have a warm sunny position. In other parts of the country, large pots or tubs are more suitable for it, as these may be kept in the greenhouse and put out of doors in hot sunny weather. The soil for potting should be a rich loam, the richer the better. It may be propagated by means of cuttings, layers, or suckers. Description of e extremity of a flowering shoot of Punica te10l. Granatwm is here shown. The flowers come in clusters of two, three, four, or five. Fig. 1 is a section through a flower from which the petals have been removed.
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFES Natural Order LyTHRARIEZ. Genus Lythrum
Lytarum (Greek, lythron, blood, gore, in reference to the colour of the flowers). A genus consisting of about a dozen species of herbs or small shrubs, with four-angled branches and entire leaves. Flowersredor purple, axillary, producing honey. Calyx-tube straight, cylindric, with eight or twelve teeth and ribs. Petals four or six. Stamens eight or twelve; ovary two-celled, with thread-like style. The species are distributed throughout the Tropical and Temperate regions of the earth. Sdlicipaiigecies. LyroruM GRra&FFERI (Greeffer’s). Stems trailing, 1 to 3 feet. Leaves narrow-oblong, lower ones opposite oF all alternate. Flowers bright pink, solitary in the axils of all the upp® leaves, on short footstalks; June to October. Native of South Europe. L. SaricartA (Willow-like). Rootstock creeping. Stems 2 to 5 feet, branched, four- or six-angled. Leaves lance-shaped, opposite or whorled. Flowers an inch across, red-purple, in spiked racemes ; J uly to September. On different individuals three different forms of flowers will be found, © the differences being in the length of the styles and stamens, and relating to their cross-fertilisation by insect agency. Native perennial. There are two varieties in cultivation: var. rosewm and var. superbum. tases Lythrums are easily grown in ordinary garden soil, but a damp position should be given if possible to L. Salacarvt, which grows chiefly along riversides. It is a charming plant for the edges of lakes or ponds. L. Greefferi, from its trailing habit, looks well in a hanging basket or a garden vase. Propagation is best achieved by means of seeds or division.
POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM)
Nat. size PL. 101
CUPHEAS 2II
CUPHEAS Natural Order LYTHRARIEZ. Genus Cuphea
CupHEA (Greek, kyphos, curved, from the shape of the flower). A genus comprising about a hundred greenhouse herbs, often viscid. Leaves oval or lance-shaped, entire, opposite, rarely whorled. Flowers axillary, scarlet, purple, or white, consisting of a long curved calyx-tube, which is brightly coloured, produced below in a short rounded spur, and above into six primary teeth with sometimes six smaller ones. The six petals, too, are small, and sometimes absent altogether. There should be twelve stamens, to agree in number with the other parts, but the twelfth one _ has been suppressed in development. Capsule two-celled, with long slender style. The species are natives of Tropical and Sub-tropical America.
Cuphea viscosissima, the stickiest of Cupheas, was introduced from North America in 1776; C. procumbens from Mexico in 1816, C. Melvillei from Guiana in 1823, C. miniata from Mexico in 1843, C. ignea, also from Mexico, in 1845. Among the more recent introductions may be mentioned C. hookeriana (1877) and C. Zimapant (1878), both from Mexico.
CUPHEA CYANEA (blue). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves heart-shaped, hairy. Flower: calyx-tube orange, petals two, small, purple; July. Branches and calyx bristly and sticky. Native of the Andes.
C. HOOKERIANA (Hooker's). Stems 2 to 3 feet, shrubby. Leaves lance-shaped. Flowers vermilion and orange, in dense panicles; June an
C. IGNEA (fiery). Stems 1 foot. Leaves smooth, lance-shaped. Flowers solitary, without petals; calyx-tube bright scarlet, with black and white expanded lips; June to August. Plate 102. Known in gardens as C. platycentra.
C. LANCEOLATA (lance-shaped). Stems ascending, 18 inches, covered with sticky brown hairs. Leaves broad lance-shaped, blunt, hairy. Flowers bluish in a spike-like, somewhat one-sided raceme; July. Biennial.
C. MINIATA (red). Stems 2 feet. Leaves oval, pointed, covered with _ white bristles. Flowers solitary, pale vermilion; June to September.
C. ZIMAPANI (Zimapan’s). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped. Flowers very dark purple; August and September.
- History.
Principal Species.
212 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Although Cupheas require greenhouse treatment they eon are very sanity ear All those mentioned above are evergreen perennials, except C. lanceolata, which is biennial. Seeds should be sown in pans in January or February and placed in gentle heat. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle they should be potted singly in good rich loamy soil, and shifted as growth renders necessary, until they have become nice bushy plants in six-inch pots. When the pots are well filled with roots give liquid manure. If preferred, they may be bedded out in the open air during their first summer, and taken into the greenhouse later. They may also be increased by means of cuttings, struck in March or April in bottom heat. Old plants cut down will produce a number of new shoots from the roots, and if these are taken off and grown in a cool place during the summer they will be kept small and occupy little space in the greenhouse for their first winter, yet make admirable blooming plants for the next season. Description of A couple of shoots of Cuphea ignea with flowers.
pene Wise 1 ie ain: enlarged view of a flower; Fig. 2 a section of the same.
WILLOW HERBS Natural Order ONAGRARIER. Genus Epilobium
EPILoBiuM (Greek, epi, upon, and lobos, a lobe or pod; from the position of the flower upon the ovary, which, however, is characteristic of the entire Order). A genus comprising about fifty species of herbs of under-shrubs, with pink or purple (rarely yellow) flowers, which consist of a long and slender calyx-tube with four lobes, four petals, usually two-lobed, eight stamens, four long and four short, a four-celled ovey with thread-like style and clubbed or four-lobed stigma. The nee’ are distributed throughout the Arctic and Temperate regions of the world , ten species are natives of Britain. Principalspecies. _ EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUy (slender-leaved). Rose Bay, . or French Willow. Stem round, erect, 2 to 4 feet. Leaves
alternate, narrow lance-shaped, stalked, 3 to 6 inches long. Flowers 1 inch across, dark rosy purple; July and August. Native. 3
E. Doponai (Dodeens’). Stems erect, branched at top, 12 inches high. Leaves very slender, faintly toothed. Flowers large, rosy purple ; July. Introduced from France (1700).
E. HIRSUTUM (hairy). Codlins and. Cream. Stems round, 3 to 5
CUPHEA IGNEA
Nat. size
PL. 102
CLARKIAS 213
feet, covered with hairs and glandular down. Leaves opposite, lance- — shaped, 3 to 5 inches long, half-clasping the stem, and with incurved teeth. Flowers numerous, large, rosy purple; petals broad, notched ; July and August. Native
Epilobiums are of such simple culture that their proper place is in the roomy border of a large garden, or in the wild garden. As a matter of fact, when once they have been introduced they take care of themselves, being not over nice in the matter of soil. £. angustifoliwm will require looking after, to prevent its monopoly of the whole garden, by means of its rooting runners. They may be increased by seeds or by root-division. The species readily cross ; several natural hybrids are known.
Cultivation.
CLARKIAS Natural Order ONAGRARIEZ. Genus Clarkia
CLARKIA (named in honour of Captain Clark, who accompanied Captain Lewis in the famous Lewis and Clark’s expedition, which made the first exploration of the Pacific Coast of America, 1804). A genus consisting of but four species, of which two are well-known garden plants. They are annuals with slender branching stems, and alternate, narrow leaves. The flowers are solitary, axillary; the four petals clawed, the limb usually three-lobed, and the claw toothed. Stamens eight, of which four are short and sterile; stigma with four broad spreading lobes, Fruit a four-celled, four-valved cylindrical capsule. All the species are natives only of North-West America.
CLARKIA ELEGANS (elegant). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped, toothed. Flowers crimson-lake, petals without teeth on the claw; June to August. Introduced from California (1832). This a favourite garden annual, and under cultivation it has produced a number of varieties, both single and double, some with white and pink flowers.
C. PULCHELLA (pretty). Stems 1} to 2 feet high. Leaves very
Principal Species,
__ Slender, smooth. Flowers rosy purple, the petals deeply lobed, with a
pair of opposite teeth on the claw; June to August. Plate 103. Native of Oregon, etc. (introduced 1826). This is the largest form, and like the preceding species it has produced several garden varieties. The var. integripetala has the petals without lobes,
Il.—13
214 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
C. RHOMBOIDEA (rhomboid) is a less interesting form with smaller purple flowers, the petals of a rhomboid shape.
The Clarkias are easily raised from seeds sown annually in the open border, either between March and May or in the autumn. They are not particular as to the character of the soil, but if this is rich the flowering will be profuse. They do not transplant well; they should therefore be sown thinly where they are to bloom, and be thinned out to a distance of ten or twelve inches. Autumn-sown plants begin to flower much earlier than those that were sown in spring. Description of Upper portion of Clarkia pulchella with buds, flowers, _ Flate103. and capsules. The additional figures are—Il, a flower enlarged ; 2, a stamen enlarged; 3, a cross section of the ovary showing
its four-celled structure; 4, the seed, natural size and enlarged; 5, a seedling.
Cultivation.
EVENING PRIMROSES AND GODETIAS Natural Order ONAGRARIE. Genus Gnothera
CENOTHERA (Greek, oinos, wine, and thera, hunting ; classical name given to some plants whose roots were eaten to provoke the appetite for drink). A genus with about a hundred species, with rare exception, herbs. The leaves are alternate. Flowers solitary, or in leafy spikes or racemes, borne in the axils; large, honey-yielding, white, yellow, red, or purple. Calyx-tube four-angled, four-lobed. Petals four, stamens eight, ovary four-celled, style threadlike, stigma round or four-lobed. With one exception all the known species are natives of America, and but for @ few Tropical species these are confined to the Temperate regions. The extra-American species is a native of Tasmania. Enothera biennis, the Common Evening Primrose, and the best known of all the species, was introduced from North America in the year 1629. It has taken so kindly to British soil that in many places it is thoroughly naturalised and grows wild, whilst it has become one of the commonest of plants in cottage-gardens. &. mollissima was the next arrival, from Argentina, in 1732, followed by . fruticosa, from the United States, five years later. @. parviflora and G. pumila both came from North America in 1757 ; the large-flowered . grandiflora was introduced from North America in 1778; and é. odorata from Patagonia in 1790. The latter, which is well known 1) gardens, has become naturalised on the coasts of Somerset and Cornwall.
CLARKIA PULCHELLA
Nat. size
PL. 103
EVENING PRIMROSES AND GODETIAS 215
Many others have been introduced during the present century, among them the species formerly separated under the name of Godetia, and which are still known as such in gardens. Of these, @. Romanzovii was the first, from North America in 1817, followed by @. acaulis from Chili in 1821, @. amena from North-West America in 1826, E. vinosa from _ California in 1835, and @ Whitneyi from California in 1870. The principal reasons for formerly separating them were found in the fact that the Evening Primroses opened their flowers only after the sun had gone down, and were yellow or white in colour; whereas the Godetias were open all day, and were of various shades and combinations of rose and purple as well as white. These grounds of separation are now regarded as insufficient. The following species are perennial, except where otherwise stated.
CENOTHERA ACAULIS (stemless). Dwarf, 6 inches high. Leaves all radical, forming a rosette, deeply cut in a pinnate manner. Flowers large, white, turning red as they fade; May to
September. (Godetia acaulis.)
: CE. AM@NA (pleasing). Stem semi-erect, branching, 1 to 2 feet. Leaves slender, lance-shaped. Flowers rosy, each petal with a crimson spot; May to September. Annual. Plate 105 (Godetia amena). The var. rubicunda has erect stems, 2 fect high, with lilac-purple flowers; it _ is one of the parents of the numerous garden Godetias.
CE. BIENNIS (biennial). Zhe Evening Primrose. Stem _ erect, branched, 2 to 5 feet. Radical leaves broadly lance-shaped, stem-leaves more slender, faintly toothed and finely downy, especially the midrib. Flowers large, pale yellow, fragrant; June to October. Biennial. The var. grandiflora has much larger flowers than the type.
CH. CALIFORNICA (Californian). Rootstock creeping, horizontal; stems 2 feet. Flowers large, fragrant, varying white to pale pink with yellow centre; July.
CH. ExIMIA (choice). Stems 9 to 12 inches high. Leaves lance- shaped, downy, deeply but irregularly toothed. Flowers very large, white; July. Native of Rocky Mountains (introduced 1870).
CE. GLAUCA (glaucous). Stem reclining, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves smooth, oval, slightly toothed. Flowers large, pale yellow; June to October. Introduced from North America (1812). The var. Fraseri
Principal Species.
_ has deeper yellow flowers and rich dark green foliage. It blooms
profusely throughout the summer, and is one of the best garden varieties. __ GE. Linearis (very narrow). Stem slender, branched, 12 to 18 es. Leaves very slender, lance-shaped, remotely toothed. Flowers
yellow, slightly fragrant; June to September. North America (1822).
ag
216 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
CE. MISSOURIENSIS (native of Missouri). Stem prostrate, unbranched, 1 foot high. Leaves lance-shaped, margins and nerves downy. Flowers large, yellow; calyx spotted red; June to August. Introduced from United States (1811). The var. latifolia, with broader leaves, is the more desirable form ; it is represented on Plate 104 (B).
CE. oporaTA (perfumed). Stems sub-shrubby at base, branched, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped, slightly toothed, and wavy. Flowers yellow, becoming red as they fade; April and May. Biennial.
(E. PALLIDA (pale). Stems somewhat erect, branched, 18 inches high. Leaves smooth, narrow-lance-shaped. Flowers white with yellow centres turning red as they fade; June to September. United States (1826).
CE. Romanzovit (Romanzow’s). Stems erect, 1 foot high. Leaves broad-lance-shaped. Flowers violet; June to September. (Godetia Romanzovii.)
CE. speciosa (showy). Stem sub-shrubby, 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves
broad-lance-shaped, deeply saw-toothed, almost pinnate, downy beneath. Flowers white, reddening as they fade; March to September. Plate 104 (A). CE. Warrneyi (Whitney’s). Stem 12 to 18 inches high. Leaves broad-lance-shaped. Flowers rosy, crimson-blotched, very large, very numerous; June to September. Annual. (Godetia grandiflora.) The var. concolor has white flowers; var. flammea, crimson flowers.
Under cultivation the @odetia section has produced "several good hybrids and garden varieties which are among the best of hardy annuals, though not nearly so widely known and grown as they deserve. In purchasing seed of these they must be asked for as Godetias. Duchess of Albany has white flowers, 3 or 4 inches across ; the Duchess of Fife also has white flowers; Lady Albemarle, a spreading dwarf plant, with showy crimson flowers ; Satin Rose, similar to the last mentioned, but with brilliant rosy flowers ; Princess of Wales, somewhat taller, with ruby-crimson flowers; The Bride, free flowering, white and carmine.
The cultivation of @notheras is a simple matter; they may be said to be everybody’s plants, for any person may grow them; they only require an introduction into the garden and they will sow and grow themselves. It is true they have some slight pre- ference in the matter of soils, and this is in the direction of those of a sandy nature. The dwarf Godetvas are very suitable for the herbaceous border, and they may be backed by some of the taller-growing species, such as &. biennis or @. speciosa. The tall, coarse-growing sorts are quite at home in the wild garden ; those that are small and of creeping
_ Garden Godetias
Cultivation.
EVENING PRIMROSES (4) GENOTHERA SPECIOSA (B) CENOTHERA MISSOURIENSIS
1/, Nat. size PL. 104
FUCHSIAS 217
habit are suitable for the rock-garden. The annuals must, of course, be raised from seed sown out of doors in spring. The biennials are best sown as soon as the seed is ripe. Ifsown in March they will often flower in the following autumn, but this is not so desirable. Summer- or autumn-sown plants produce only a rosette of radical leaves their first season, and lay up much material in their thick tuberous root upon which they can draw next year for a profuse display of flowers. The perennials may be propagated by root-division as well as by seeds, and a third course is open in the taking of cuttings in spring and striking them in a cold frame. Some of the more compact, dwarf kinds, as well as the Godetias, make capital pot-plants for the cool greenhouse or conservatory.
Description of Plate 104 contains figures of two species. That Flates10¢and105.marked AA, is @nothera speciosa, whilst B represents @. missowriensis, var. latifolia.
Plate 105 shows one of the most favourite forms of @. amena, the garden var. known as Lady Albemarle. Fig. 1 is a section through the flower and ovary; 2, the seed, natural size and greatly enlarged; 3, a seedling. .
FUCHSIAS Natural Order ONAGRARIEH. Genus Fuchsia
FUCHSIA (name commemorative of Leonhard Fuchs, a sixteenth-century German botanist). A genus consisting of about fifty species of shrubs or small trees. Leaves oval or lance-shaped, usually opposite, occasionally in whorls of three. Calyx fleshy, coloured, tube produced above the ovary, limb split into four lobes. Petals four, often of different colour from the calyx. Stamens eight, on long slender filaments. Style twice the length of stamens, with head-like stigma. Ovary crowned with eight honey-secreting glands. Fruita pulpy berry. With very few exceptions the species are natives of Central and Southern America; those that are not American come from New Zealand.
The first discovery of the Fuchsia was made by Father Plumier, who consecrated it to the memory of Fuchs, and published the name in 1703, calling his new species Fuchsia triphylla. The history of the introduction and popularisation of this genus has been often told. The story goes that about the year 1788 a sailor who had returned from South America brought with him a growing slip, which he presented to his wife or his mother. This was put in the window and carefully tended in honour of the absent one. In due time
1.—14
History.
218 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
it flowered, and there passed by the house a Mr. James Lee, who was a member of a firm of nurserymen still existing at Hammersmith. Struck by the newness of form and habit, he knocked at the door and offered to purchase the unknown plant, but was at first refused. By perseverance and the gradual increase of the amount offered until it reached a figure that was irresistible to the poor woman, he succeeded at last in carrying off the prize; then “kept it dark,” and struck cuttings as rapidly as possible, until he had a large stock when next year he put it upon the market, and realised—it is said—a profit of £300 upon his investment. This was probably Fuchsia coccinea, now known as a form of F. macrostema. Eight or ten years later another species—I. lycioides— was introduced ; and these remained the only representatives of the genus in our gardens until 1823, when another variety of F. macrostema, known as gracilis, was introduced. In the next few years several others were discovered, including F. venusta, F. thymifolia, and F. arborescens, all American species. The beautiful F. fulgens came from Mexico in 1830. The pretty, creeping F. procumbens, grown so much for the sake of its large crimson berries, is one of the New Zealand species (introduced 1874). F. penduliflora from tropical America is another recent (1879) introduction. These are the principal natural species, but from the early part of the present century Fuchsias have been so widely cultivated, have sported and been crossed to such an extent, that it is not always an easy matter to refer garden specimens to their proper types. In addition some distinctly new forms, such as F. corallina and F. dominiana, have been evolved by horticultural skill. princtpetipetion: FUCHSIA CORALLINA (coral-red). Stems woody, 20 feet high in suitable places; young stems red. Leaves with reddish upper sides, dark crimson beneath; in whorls of four or five. Flowers pendulous; calyx crimson, corolla dark plum-colour ; May to October. Grows luxuriantly in South-West England. Of garden origin.
F. CORYMBIFLORA (bunch-flowered). Stem branched, 4 to 6 feet. Leaves broad-lance-shaped, with red midrib; opposite. Flowers scarlet in terminal clusters; June to September. Native of Peru (1840).
F. FULGENS (shining). Stem 4 to 6 feet. Leaves heart-shaped-oval, toothed, shining; opposite. Flowers scarlet, large; calyx tapering; petals very short; in drooping terminal racemes; June to September. Plate 107.
F. MAcRosTEMA (large-stamened). Stems branched, 6 to 12 feet. Leaves oval, toothed, three in a whorl. Calyx scarlet, petals purple ; July to October. There are several good varieties of this: var globosa has the unopened flowers of a somewhat globular form ; sepals
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FUCHSIAS 219
purplish red. The very hardy and well-known F. riccartoni is descended from a seedling of this variety. The var. gracilis has very slender flowers, a character specially noticeable in the unopened bud. Both these forms are represented on Plate 106. F. coccinea is also a variety with dark crimson flowers. All the forms of F. macrostema are hardy in the warmer parts of England.
F’. PENDULIFLORA (hanging-flowered). Leaves large (3 to 4 inches long), oval, smooth. Flowers trumpet-shaped, rich crimson, shaded with maroon, 3 or 4 inches long; March. Native of tropical America (1879).
F. PROCUMBENS (trailing). Stems trailing. Leaves round, small. Flowers small, erect, calyx-tube yellow, corolla blue; May to October Berries large, crimson, remaining attached during the winter; very ornamental. :
F. SPLENDENS (splendid). Stem 6 feet. Leaves heart-shaped. Flowers orange-scarlet, tips of sepals green ; May and June. Greenhouse. Native of Mexico (1841)
I, TRIPHYLLA (three-leaved). Stems 1 to 2 feet. Leaves small, purplish beneath, bronze-green above. Flowers similar to those of F fulgens, petals shorter than sepals; brilliant orange-scarlet, in terminal racemes. Native of West Indies.
These are exceedingly numerous, and a list of only the best would fill many pages. As in similar cases, we can but give a brief selection from among the best to serve as a suggestion; but it must be remembered that many new varieties are put upon the market every season, and all such lists should be supplemented by the catalogue of a good trade grower. For our purpose it will be well to classify them first under the respective heads of Single- and Double- _ flowered, and then under the colour of calyx and corolla.
Garden Varieties,
SINGLE-FLOWERED SECTION. : | STRIPED SECTIO Corolla coloured as stated.
Mrs. F. “Glass, deep pink, tinted violet
Mizpah, urplish crimson,
Rose of | Castile, purple.
CALYX. Corolla coloured as stated. cr geen dark purple. mie, dark purple. Char ming, dark purple. Delight, — white. Enoch Arden, indigo chang-
plum-
Fuchsias,
plish. Salopia, pale purple. Swanley Gem, rose colour.
ON. | Beauty, paces rosy, corolla Pp coloured.
land’s "New Striped, calyx corolla purple
King ut the Stripes, violet- blue s red.
Lord Wolbers, calyx
orolla
deep crimson and
calyx carmine and white.
220 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE ~
SELF-COLOURED SECTION. Beaconsfield, orange-red. Monarch, bright red. Admiral Gervais, bright | Dr. Sankey, rub Sedan, crimson-red. mine. Fireworks, dark ruby. Snowcloud, white. DOUBLE-FLOWERED SECTION. Auguste Hardy, scarlet cal.,| Comte Leon Lolstoi, red | Mignonne, red calyx, pure ]
rosy-violet corolla. calyx, blue-black corolla. white corolla. Alphonse Daudet, scarlet| De M. ontalivet, rosy calyx, | Pink Perfection, creamy calyx, deep violet corolla. light blue corolla. calyx, violet corolla. Berliner Kind, red calyx, Eugene Verconsin, rosy | Rose enomenal, very white corolla white and slaty blue. large, rose coloured. Boreatton, crimson calyx, | Marvellous, calyx red,| White Phenomenal, white deep purple corolla. corolla blue. corolla.
Fuchsias of all kinds are most readily propagated by cuttings, which root with freedom at nearly all times. For this purpose cutoff portions of the growing shoots that give no sign of flower buds. These should be put in pans of light soil and moist warm frames. When the young plants are rooted transfer them to beds of light, but very rich soil, in which they will come on rapidly if treated to abundant moisture; or pot them singly, with the same treatment as regards soil and moisture. When the pots are well filled with roots, liquid manure may be given freely ; and abundance of water should never be withheld. For the obtaining of new varieties hybridisation must be carefully attended to, the flowers marked, and the ripening of the berries watched. The seeds are embedded in pulp, which must be washed away, and the seeds sown at once. To obtain a suitable soil that is at once rich and light, dried cow-dung should be mixed with double the quantity of loam, neither being fine] y powdered. With such a compost the best results will be obtained, but all the same Fuchsias will do well in almost any garden soil. Except in the extreme south and west of our islands, Fuchsias out of doors must be cut down on the approach of hard weather, and the stump covered with a little heap of dry coal-ashes to keep off the frost. Pot-plants should be wintered dry and in a cool place.
Description of Plate 106 illustrates two of the forms of Fuchsia Plates106and107. moorostema — A, the var. globosa, and B, the var. gracilis. Figs. 1 and 2 are sections through these forms respectively.
Plate 107 shows a couple of flowering shoots of F. dea ecadgiaa one the flowers grow singly from the leaf-axils; in the other they ants terminal cluster. F: ig. 1 is a section of the flower, from which it will be seen clearly how cross-fertilisation is favoured. Long-tongued sas = lepidoptera seeking to obtain the honey secreted at the narrow en the long tube use the clapper-like style as an alighting stage, an crawl partly up it. The pollen from the anthers may fall upon the style, but not upon the stigmatic surface which is beneath. The bee crawling
Cultivation.
(A) FUCHSIA GLOBOSA (B) FUCHSIA GRACILIS
Nat. size
PL. 106
GAURAS - 221
up takes away some of the pollen on the under-side of its body, and on visiting another flower this portion of its body will be drawn over the - stigma, and so the plant will be fertilised.
GAURAS Natural Order ONAGRARIEH. Genus Gaura
Gaura (from the Greek gawros, proud or superb). A genus of about twenty annual or perennial herbs or shrubs with simple, alternate leaves varying in outline. The flowers agree in general with @nothera, but the calyx-tube is three- or four-angled, the petals more slender, white or rosy, turning red when fading; the fruit a hard woody nut with three or four prominent angles, and usually four-celled. As a rule the petals have a tendency to take the same upward direction; and the flower-cluster is a long terminal spike-like raceme. The species are natives of the warmer portions of North America.
Only one of the Gauras may be said to be a cultivated plant, and that we fear is but slightly known, and seldom seen. This is the species figured in Plate 108.
GAURA BIENNIS (biennial). Stems 4 to 6 feet high. Leaves oblong- lance-shaped, slightly toothed. Flowers irregular; sepals purple tipped ; petals white, then reddish, irregularly arranged; August to October. Introduced from North America (1762).
G. LINDHEIMERI (Lindheimer’s). Stems slender, branching, 4 feet
igh. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped. Flowers white, or purple tinged ; June to September. Perennial. Native of Texas (1850). : Gauras are propagated by means of seed sown early in spring, out of doors, and in a light soil. The seedlings should be pricked into their flowering quarters as soon as they are large enough to handle. During hard weather in winter they will need some protection in the shape of a movable frame, or dry fern and bushes ; or they may be taken up in autumn, potted and kept in a cool house until April or May. Gauras may be usefully employed in beds or
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
ie _ baskets where lightness of effect is wanted to relieve heavier subjects.
_ Description of Gaura Lindheimeri is represented by the terminal | Plate108. = portion of two flowering shoots, natural size. The ad- ditional figures are—1, a separate flower; 2, a section of the Same.
IlL—15
222 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
CHILI NETTLES
Natural Order Loaszea. Genus Loasa
Loasa (authorities differ as to the significance of the ea: eee: pee: variously stated to be derived from the name of a Spanis ae ) i: the South American native name, and to be of unknown ee a genus includes about fifty species of climbing or pee - harecll with stinging hairs. The leaves may be simple or eee i kc opposite or alternate. The flowers are somewhat singu eh 1 witha The calyx is five-parted ; the petals five, hooded, alterna Fi. fe large scales which have three filaments at the back and be pe Processes within. Stamens numerous, in bundles opposite 5 a ing The ovary is one-celled, ending in a three-lobed stigma, and pie a into a large capsule opening by valves. The species are res
tropical America. ‘
ade.
ollow and conveying some irritating fluid to the wounds they ao ae For this reason they are not altogether desirable species for the
48 some tender-skinne
and appear in May. Iti generally grown as an annual. Half-hardy. talked PENTLANDI (Pentland’s). Stems 4 feet high. Leaves s weil opposite, sub-erect. Flowers 2 inches across; petals orange tipped V 7 white, spreading ; May and June. Annual. omee L. PRostRATA (prostrate), Stem trailing, flexuous. Leaves 80 is
FUCHSIA FULGENS Nat. size PL. 107
MENTZELIAS 223
what heart-shaped, angled, opposite, without stalks. Flowers solitary, yellow ; June to August. ual.
L. VULCANICA (volcanic). Stems erect, 3 feet high. Leaves with three to five cut lobes, arranged palmately. Flowers about 14 inch across; petals white; scales red striped with white and yellow ; June to August. Annual.
All the cultivated species whether annual or perennial are generally treated as annuals, for summer bedding. The seeds are sown, in March, in pans of light sandy soil, and these placed in gentle heat; or out of doors in a sunny border in May. When sufficiently grown the seedlings should be planted out at distances regulated by the erect or climbing habit of the species. They do best in light soils with a sunny position; otherwise requiring no special treatment. Where it is desired to grow the perennials as perennials, they must be lifted early in October and wintered in a cool greenhouse. In handling the plants, care should be taken to avoid being stung by the hairs, which are similar in their action and effects to those of our native Stinging Nettles.
Description of The upper portion of the stem of Loasa lateritia with Plate 109. eaves, unopened bud, expanded flower, flower from which the petals have fallen, and the twisted capsule. Fig. 1 is a section through the flower; 2, the seed, natural size and enlarged ; 3, a seedling.
Cultivation.
MENTZELIAS Natural Order LoasEx. Genus Mentzelia
MENTZELIA (named in honour of Christian Mentzel, a botanist of Brandenburg, 1622-1701). A genus of herbaceous plants, with coarsely toothed, alternate or nearly opposite leaves, and orange or white flowers, which in most species expand only under direct influence of the sunshine, though several on the contrary wait until evening before opening. They differ from Loasa chiefly in the absence of the large scales from between the petals, the flatness of the latter, the more numerous stamens, and in the seed-vessel being untwisted. The plants, though not free from hairs, do not sting. The species are all American.
The most familiar species of Mentzelia are better known under the name of Bartonia, in which genus certain of them were formerly comprised. The plant figuring in seedsmen’s catalogues as Bartonia aurea is more correctly named Mentzelia Lindley. The first species to be introduced was M. aspera from the United States
History.
224 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
in 1733. M. nuda and M. ornata followed from Missouri nearly eighty years later, and the next year (1812) saw the introduction of I. oligosperma from Louisiana. M. hispida came from Mexico (1820), M. albescens from Chili (1831), M. Lindleyi from California (1834), and M. bartonioides from the Western States in 1849. WU. albicauls, a white-stemmed, low, branching plant, produces oily seeds which are’ pounded by the American Indians and used in the production of a kind of cake for food. — MENTZELIA ALBESCENS (becoming white). em
a shining, 1 to 4 feet high. Leaves with wavy teeth Flowers in a leafy panicle; petals ten, pale yellow; July. Biennial.
M. BARTONIOIDES (Bartonia-like). Stems succulent, 1 foot high. Leaves broadly heart-shaped, lobed and toothed. Flowers solitary; petals five, sulphury yellow, paler beneath ; June to August. Half-hardy annual,
M. Lixpiey1 (Lindley’s). Stems 2 to 3 feet high; branches phe Leaves deeply cut into narrow lobes in a pinnate manner. Flowers en five golden-yellow petals, red at the base; June to August. Ann A splendid plant for borders. :
M. oRNATA (adorned). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves with large, jagged teeth, bristly. Flowers large, white, petals ten, closed all day, opening only in the evening, when it becomes fragrant ; July to Septem:
Catinveied Ordinary garden soil will be found age eeable oo Species of Mentzelia, but where a choice is possible 1e i
be light and the position sunny. They are propagated by seed, ee should be sown in April in gentle heat; or in a sunny border ou May. When sufficiently grown the April-sown plants should be pot d singly in small pots and brought on in a cool greenhouse, hardened, a then planted in bed or border. Those sown out of doors had better t. left where sown, but of course they will need to be carefully thinned ee M. Lindleyi is quite hardy, and may be grown out of doors in the of 2 way as Mignonette or Virginian Stock. From the large size se ee : abundance of its golden flowers, it is one of the brightest and page : hardy annuals. It is also a useful plant for cultivation in pots for decoration of the conservatory, requiring a light rich soil and frame treatment until it flowers, » thle Description of The upper portion of a stem of MM entzeliaLindley? ee Be miate2i® flowers and unopened buds. The separate figures gee es section through flower; 2, seed, natural size and enlarged; * ©
seedling. .
Nat. size
GAURA LINDHEIMERI
PASSION-FLOWERS 225
PASSION-FLOWERS Natural Order PasstFLOREX. Genus Passiflora
PAssIFLORA (Latin, passio, passion, and floris, a flower). A large genus —one hundred and twenty species—of herbs and shrubs, chiefly climbers, with alternate, lobed, or entire leaves, and undivided tendrils. Flowers - produced in the axils, solitary or in racemes. The calyx-tube is short and urn-shaped with four or five lobes, often coloured on the inner face. The petals agree in number with the calyx-lobes, and alternate with these in the expanded flower, but are more deeply coloured. Inside these, and springing from a ring surrounding the base of the column, is a whorl of filaments, forming what is known as the corona. These are quite distinct from the stamens, and are really appendages to the petals. There are four or five stamens whose anthers are connected with the filaments by their middle. The ovary and stamens are supported by a stout column termed the gynophore, and from the summit of the ovary three styles with dilated stigmas radiate. The genus is chiefly American. Passijlora incarnata, the May Apple, from the Southern United States, appears to have been the species first introduced to English gardens, or more correctly to English green- houses, for it is a tender plant. P. lawrifolia, from the West Indies, and P. suberosa, var. minima, from Curacoa, followed in 1690. P. cerulea, the well-known and fairly hardy species, arrived in 1699 from Brazil. From this period new species were frequently being introduced, though many of these had no special horticultural interest; but in 1768 P. quadrangularis, the Granadilla, was brought from Nicaragua; in 1815 P. racemosa, the parent of several good hybrids, came from Brazil ; _and five years later the showy P. coccinea was introduced from the same country, whence also came P. alba (1830) and P. raddiana (1831). P. amabilis, another red species, from South America, appeared here in 1848. P. Innesii, a fine hybrid, was produced in 1870 by crossing P. alata and P. macrocarpa. Several species produce edible fruit, viz. -P. alata, P. edulis, P. lawrifolia, P. macrocarpa, P. maliformis (Sweet Calabash), and P. quadrangularis. These all mature their fruits
History.
_ annually in the houses at Kew. We must not close this notice without
reference to the popular name of these plants, which is reflected in the Latin
_ name of the genus. The early missionaries to South America saw in the
various floral organs convenient symbols of the Passion of the Saviour.
The stigmas were the three nails used in the Crucifixion, the stamens were 11.— 16
226 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
the hammers wherewith the last were driven in; or, as others put it, the anthers are the five wounds, the “corona” is cither the crown of thorns or the rays of glory. The ten floral leaves (sepals and petals) are the apostles, Peter and Judas being absent. The tendrils are scourges, and the palmate leaves are the hands of the persecutors.
PASSIFLORA ALATA (winged). Stems four-angled, winged. Leaves oval-heart-shaped, smooth. Flowers large, fragrant; upper side of sepals and petals deep crimson; rays variegated, white, crimson, and purple; April to August.
P. AMABILIS (lovely). Stems slender, rounded. Leaves thin, entire, oval. Flowers red, with white rays; May.
P. CHRULEA (azure-blue). Leaves with five oblong, entire lobes. Flowers greenish white, faintly scented; the rays in a double series, purple, white, and blue ; blue being the most conspicuous colour in the flower ; June to October. Greenhouse. Fruit egg-shaped, yellow. The var. Constance Elliott has white flowers.
P. CINNABARINA (cinnabar-red). Leaves with three or five ovate, entire lobes; the base of leaf heart-shaped. Flowers scarlet; March. Native of Australia. Greenhouse.
P. coccINEA (scarlet). Leaves oval, smooth, coarsely toothed. Flowers scarlet, with orange rays; June to October.
P. - EDULIS (edible). Leaves three-lobed, toothed, smooth. Flowers purplish white, fragrant; J uly and August. Fruit abundantly produced, purplish, with Juicy pulp the colour and flavour of an orange.
P. INCARNATA (flesh-coloured). May Apple. Stems annual, herbaceot® Leaves with three lance-shaped, toothed lobes. Flowers fragrant pinkish white, with double series of purple rays; July and Augist Fruit orange-coloured with yellow pulp. Greenhouse.
P. QUADRANGULARIS (square-stemmed). Granadilla. Branches winged Leaves heart-shaped, smooth. Flowers large, a petals red; rays in five series, white and violet; outer set —. bs 4 Petals 7 August and September. Fruit greenish y ellow,
ng, © inches in diameter ; pulp purple. Stove. ' Flow. so (racemed)., Leaves three-lobed, somewhat pga . See P red, in long pendulous racemes; March to
Principal Species,
fc (Raddi’s), Leaves three-lobed, purplish = | ee = ati. ‘ple; ften
P. Kermesina, § ~ rays purple; August to October. Otte a aera (Watson’s). Habit and leaves as in P. paddiant Ts lavender and blue, very fragrant; summer. Stove.
fe a Oy a og 5 sae tee Ss Seek Rae ee
LOASA LATERITIA
Nat. size
PL. 109
PASSION-FLOWERS
227
GARDEN VARIETIES AND Hyeprips.
Alato-cerulea. Flowers white; rays black, blue, and white. ybrid be- re
Flowers white; r. ark Hybrid between alata and P. raddiana.
Flowers rosy flesh; rays blue, barred purple. Hybrid between P. ceruleo-racemosa and P. quadrangu-
laris.
Bijou. Probably a hybrid between P. racemosa and P. raddiana.
Probably a hybrid between P. alata and P. quadrangularis.
Caruleo-Kermesina. Probably a hybrid etween P. cerulea and P. rad-
macrocarpa | Lawsoniana.
Colvillei. Whitish flowers. Hybrid be-
ween P. caerulea and
. <A fragrant white-
flowered seedling form of P. ceru-
lea.
Decaisneana. A carmine-flowered hybrid between P. alata and P. quadranqu-
laris.
Imperatrice Eugénie. Reddish lilac. Probably a hybrid between P. c@ru- lea and P. quadrangularis or P.
alata. Innesii. Flowers whitish, red specked. A hybrid between P. alata and P.
Flowers brownish t
red. Hybrid between P. alata and P
wand.
Ceruleo-racemosa. A purple- flowered hybrid between P. cwrulea and P. acem
racemosa. Osa. Loudoni. A hybrid between P. raddiana Chinensis. A garden form of P. cerulea. d v0sa,
and P. racen ;
Passifloras are propagated by cuttings or seeds. The new shoots are taken off when about 6 inches long, with a heel of old wood, and these will be found to root quite easily if planted separately in small pots filled with sandy soil. Cuttings of P. cerulea will strike out of doors, but it is a more certain method to keep them in a close frame, or covered by a bell-glass in the greenhouse. All the species, except P. cwrulea, require greenhouse or stove treatment for successful flowering, and should be planted in a large pot, tub, or a shallow border. If there is no restriction of the roots these will wander to great distances and send up suckers where not desired. We have known them to penetrate foundations and send up shoots inside the dwelling-house against which they were planted. They are thirsty plants, but good drainage is a necessity. Turfy loam with an admixture of peat and sand will be found to suit them admirably, though ordinary garden soil will give good results. They all enjoy a liberal allowance of sunlight ; they are therefore adapted for training under the roof-glass of an unshaded greenhouse or conservatory. P. cerulea forms an excellent sereen.
Cultivation.
the remarkable structure.
228 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
BEGONIAS Natural Order Becontace”. Genus Begonia
BrGoNIA (name given in honour of Michael Begon, a French patron of botany). An extensive genus comprising about three hundred and fifty species, chiefly succulent herbs or under shrubs, and a few climbing plants, many of them having perennial tuberous rhizomes. Their leaves are more or less unsymmetrical, entire or lobed or toothed ; often hand- somely blotched with white and veined with red. The flowers are in many cases large and showy, bright coloured, white, yellow, scarlet, or rosy, the anthers and stigmas borne in separate flowers. The male flowers have four sepals, the female five. Stamens numerous, the filaments sometimes united at their base. Styles two to four, the stigmas branched or twisted. The fruit a capsule, frequently with wings, seeds minute. The species are distributed through moist tropical lands, and are especially abundant in South America. mistory The earliest species of Begonia introduced to our green- "houses were shrubby, and came from the West Indies and thereabout. Begonia nitida is the first of which there is any record, and it was introduced from Jamaica jn 1777. It is still a popular
in 1816. And so on, the new species coming in fairly rapidly ; but in 1858 the beautiful foliage-Begonias began to assert themselves with the introduction of B. rex. But the great impetus to Begonia-growing was given a few years later, when the tuberous-rooted species were introduced from South America. Among these should be mentioned B. boliviensis and B. Pearcei from Bolivia (1865), B. Clarkii, B. roseflora, B. Veitchtt, all introduced from Peru in 1867, and B. Davisii from Peru in 1876. Some of these have come from great altitudes in the Andes, B. Veitch, for instance, being found at an elevation of 12,000 feet above sea-level. From such forms magnificent hybrids have been raised, far exceeding the parent species in size and brilliance, and sufficiently hardy to serve as bedding plants, It is interesting to note, however, that, so far, all attempts to effect a cross between the shrubby section and these Andean tuberous species have failed. Possibly, at no very distant date, the
influence of some new species may break down this barrier and give US
MENTZELIA LINDLEY!
BEGONIAS 229
tall shrubby plants with the splendid biossoms of the herbaceous tuberous-rooted class.
We shall not pretend to give the characters of all the species that are in cultivation, but only of a few from each section; the numbers, even excluding hybrids and garden varieties, being so large.
us BEGONIA BERKELEYI (Berkeley’s). Stems __ thick, Begonias. fleshy. Flowers rosy, in erect panicles; winter. A garden hybrid of uncertain parentage.
B. BOLIVIENSIS (Bolivian). Stem succulent, 2 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped, saw-toothed. Flowers large, scarlet, in drooping panicles ; males as large again as the females; June to September. Introduced from Bolivia (1857).
B. CHELSONI (Chelsea). Stem 2 feet. Leaves lance-shaped, oblique. Flowers large, orange-red; June to September. A garden hybrid between B. Sedeni (itself a hybrid) and B. boliviensis produced in 1874.
B. CuarKeEI (Clarke's). Stem purplish, stout. Leaves oblique- heart-shaped; saw-toothed. Flowers large, bright red, numerous, in drooping racemes; June to September.
B. cortacka (leathery). Stem 6 inches high, succulent. Leaves kidney-shaped, wider than long, hairy beneath. Flowers large, rosy, in groups of two or three on an erect scape ; June to September. Bolivia.
B. Davis (Davis’). Stemless. Leaves heart-shaped, shining, sparsely hairy, red beneath. Flowers bright red, in a six-flowered umbel ; footstalks and scape red; June to September.
B. EVANSIANA (Evans’). Stem branching, 2 feet high. Leaves oblique, somewhat heart-shaped, lobed and toothed; red beneath. Flowers large and numerous, flesh-coloured ; June to September. Nearly hardy. Syn. B. discolor.
B. Fra@pext (Froebel’s). Stemless. Leaves heart-shaped covered with purplish hairs. Flowers large, bright scarlet, in loose drooping cymes; winter. Native of Ecuador (1872).
B. GERANIOIDES (Geranium-like). Stemless. Leaves kidney-shaped, lobed and saw-toothed, rough; stalks red and hairy. Flowers white, in
a loose panicle; June to September. A delicate species from South Africa (1866). is : B. Gracitis (slender). Stem erect, 3 feet high, succulent, annual. _ Leaves distant, semi-heart-shaped, lobed, toothed and hairy; bulbils _ freely produced in the axils. Flowers large, pink, in the axils of the leaves; June to September. Also known as B. Martiana B. diversifolia.
Native of Mexico. B. HAAGEANA (Haages’). Stems numerous, forming a large shrub,
IlL—1
230 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
4 feet high, with large red-tinted leaves on red, hairy stalks, and bearing in autumn and winter very large heads of white and red flowers. One of the best. Brazil.
B. NATALENSIS (Natal). Stem succulent, 18 inches high, branched. Leaves oblique, lobed, toothed, white spotted. Flowers pale rose, in axillary cymes; winter. Native of South Africa (1855).
B. OCTOPETALA (eight-petaled). Stemless. Leaves heart-shaped, deeply-lobed and saw-toothed, with downy leaf-stalks three times the length of leaves. Flowers greenish white, males with eight petals, in corymbs; August to October. Native of Peru (1835).
B. Pearcer (Pearce’s). Stem branching, 18 inches high. Leaves narrow-heart-shaped. Flowers large, bright yellow, in axillary panicles ; June to September. _
B. picra (painted). Stem succulent, 6 to 12 inches high. Leaves slightly oblique, heart-shaped, saw-toothed, sometimes variegated. Flowers large, pale rose, on hairy, erect, few-flowered footstalks; August to October. Native of Himalaya (1870).
B. rex. See under Ornamental-leaved Begonias.
B, RICHARDSONIANA (Richardson’s), Stem fleshy, branched, 1 foot high. Leaves palmate; lobes with wavy or toothed margins. Flowers white; males with two petals, females with five; in few-flowered axillary cymes; June to September. Native of Natal (1871).
B. ROSEFLORA (Rose-flowered). Stemless. Leaves kidney-shaped, margins lobed and toothed, red; leaf-stalks, flower-stalks, stipules, and bracts bright red. Flowers 2 inches across, bright rose-red; June to September.
B. socorraNa (Socotra). Rootstock a cluster of pea-shaped buds. Stems annual, 1 foot high ; leaves orbicular, much wrinkled, shining, with central stalks ; flowers in erect panicles, bright rose-pink, very persistent, produced in winter. Introduced from Socotra in 1880. One of the parents of a most useful race of winter-flowering hybrids, of which John Heal, Winter Gem, and Adonis are now popular. It has also been crossed with B. rex and several other species.
B. Vertcutt (Veitch’s). Stem short, fleshy. Leaves round-heart- shaped, lobed and cut, margins fringed; junction of nerves marked by patch of bright carmine. Flowers large, cinnabar-red, in couples on tall, thick seapes; June to September.
Shrubby B. ACERIFOLIA (Maple-leaved). Stem succulent, tall.
Begonias. Leaves lobed and saw-toothed. Flowers smail, white, im branching cymes; male flowers hairy; May. Native of Quito (1829). B. CINNABARINA (cinnabar). Stem short, erect. Leaves oblique
\
AN j
\
a EY =
Pes =<
CERULEA)
2/, Nat. size PL. 111
PASSION-FLOWER
(PASSIFLORA C
BEGONIAS 231
toothed, 2 to 4 inches long. Flowers red, females very small, on few- flowered stalks; June to September. N ative of Bolivia (1848).
B. coccinea (scarlet). Stem semi-erect, 2 to 6 feet high. Leaves ovate-oblong, margins waved and toothed. Flowers red, in drooping racemes; stalks red; June to September. Native of Brazil (1842). Also known as B. corallina.
B. crinivTa (hairy). Stem fleshy, hairy and bright red, 1 foot high. Leaves heart-shaped, toothed, with hairy red stalks. Flowers rosy, 14 inch across, in loose branching cymes ; May. Native of Bolivia (1870).
B. FALCIFOLIA (sickle-leaved). Stem erect, branching, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves oblique, toothed, green spotted with white, deep red beneath. Flowers two-petaled, bright red; June to September. Native of Peru (1868).
B. FOLtosa (leafy). Stem slender, branched. Leaves small, ovate- oblong, numerous. Flowers pinky white, small, numerous; June to September. Native of Colombia (1868).
B. FUCHSIODES (Fuchsia-like). Stem tall, drooping, tinged with red. Leaves ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, saw-toothed, margins tinged with red; arranged in two rows. Flowers deep scarlet, in drooping panicles ; June to September. Native of Colombia (1846). A valuable pillar-plant.
B, INCARNATA (fleshy). Stem fleshy, erect, 2 feet high, reddish, with swollen joints. Leaves oblique-heart-shaped, with waved teeth. Flowers rosy, large; winter. Native of Mexico (1822). There are some handsome purple-leaved varieties of this, viz. A. Mallet, Mdme. Lnonel, M. Hardy, ete.
B, LINDLEYANA (Lindley’s). Stem fleshy, erect, covered with rusty hairs. Leaves ovate, irregularly lobed and toothed, woolly beneath, with central stalk. Flowers white; winter. Native of Guatemala,
B. MACULATA (spotted). Stems branching, woody. Leaves oblique, very long, slightly undulating, upper surface blotched with white, under- side bright crimson. Flowers coral-red, in drooping panicles: June to September. Native of Brazil (1821). This is very variable both in colour and markings of leaf, and colour of flower, the latter ranging from red to white.
B. MAGNIFICA (glorious). Stem fleshy, erect. Leaves oblique, toothed. Flowers rosy carmine, in termina] panicles; June to September.
Native of Colombia (1870).
a4 NITIDA (shining). Stem woody, erect, 4 to 5 feet, branched. Leaves large, oblique, glossy, with rounded teeth. Flowers large, deep rose-colour, in panicles; winter and greater part of year.
| 232 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
B, PLATANIFOLIA (Plane-leaved). Stem erect, 5 to 6 feet. Leaves kidney-shaped, 8 or 10 inches across, bristly on both sides; acutely lobed and toothed. Flowers large, rosy white; June to September. Native of Brazil (1834).
B. RAMENTACEA (chippy). Stem erect, branched, scaly. Leaves kidney-shaped, oblique, red and scaly beneath. Flowers pink and white, drooping; May. Native of Brazil (1839).
Ornamental- B. AMABILIS (lovely). Stem short, fleshy, creeping. leaved Begonias. Teaves oval, 6 inches long, with rounded teeth, cottony dark green, blotched with white, underside purplish. Flowers white or rosy, in cymes; June to September. Native of Assam (1859).
B. DEDALEA (variegated). Stem short, thick, fleshy. Leaves large, green; when young, covered with network of scarlet lines, turning russet as the leaf matures; edges velvety. Flowers white and rosy, in loose panicles. Native of Mexico (1860).
B. Decora. A pretty little species with creeping rhizomes from which the leaves spring; these are 4 inches long, very hairy, and coloured yellow-green, bronzy red, and purple. Introduced in 1895 - from Penang. B. DIPETALA (two-petaled). Rootstock fleshy. Stem erect, 1} foot high, brown. Leaves oblique, toothed ; green and white above, red beneath. Flowers large, with two pink petals, in loose cymes from the axils; May. Introduced from India (1828). ; :
B. GOGOENSIS (native of Gogo, Sumatra). Leaves large, oblique, dark velvety green, with paler midrib and veins; deep red beneath. Flowers pink, in loose panicle. Introduced 1881.
B. HERACLEIFOLIA (Heracleum-leaved), Rootstock fleshy. Leaves radical, palmately-lobed and toothed, on long velvety stalks; bronze- green, hairy. Flowers rose-coloured, in many-flowered cymes, on very long scapes; May. There are several varieties, differing chiefly in the colouring of the leaves. Native of Mexico (1831). :
B. NELUMBIIFOLIA (Nelumbium-leaved). Rootstock fleshy, ereep™sg: Leaves large, roundish, 3 feet in circumference, hairy beneath, stalk in middle. Flowers small, white or rosy, in many-flowered cyme, oD tall Scape; winter. Native of Mexico.
B. Ragan. A new introduction from Singapore. It has a fleshy rhizome and leaves 6 inches high, smooth, ovate-peltate, coloured aut green with large blotches of chocolate brown. A most useful plant tor the stove.
B. REX (the king). Rootstock fleshy, creeping. Leaves lange, unequally heart-shaped, toothed, hairy; surface blistered, centre an
BEGONIA REX
Nat. size PL. 112
BEGONIAS 233
margins dark green with metallic sheen, the intervening space silvery white. Flowers large, pink, in loose cyme, on erect scape. Native of ’ Assam (1858). Most of the beautiful-leaved Begonias in general cultiva- tion are, in part if not wholly, the offspring of this species. Plate 112. There are hybrids between this and B. socotrana, B. evansiana, ete., all of them good decorative plants.
B. THwWAITEsit (Thwaites’). Leaves radical, heart- -shaped, variegated with rich coppery green, purple-red, and white; under-side deep red. Flowers white, in an umbel, on short scape. Hamid stove. Native of Ceylon (1852).
It is necessary that the natural ‘species mostly ‘cultivated should be known, but in recent years the garden hybrids have become far more important than their parents from the horticultural point of view. These exhibit great advance in the form, size, and colour of the flowers. They are at present very numerous, and the list is being extended every year. A few of the best may be briefly mentioned :—
ASCOTENSIS is one of the finest; the beautiful pink flowers borne in large clusters. In the South of England this may be used for bedding purposes.
GLOIRE DE ScEAUX. Upright habit, with bronzed leaves and numerous large, flat pink flowers, which appear in winter.
Incramu. Of dwarf habit, with dark foliage and reddish-pink flowers. Suitable for outdoor culture in warm situations.
KNowsLEYANA. Of more vigorous habit, with blush-tinted flowers, very serviceable for cutting during the first months of the year.
Paut Bruant. Very free bloomer; flowers of a soft pink hue.
President Carnot, Gloire de Lorraine, Triomphe de Lemoine, and the bedding varieties of B. semperflorens are other forms that may be recommen
Garden Hybrids.
Begonias are, as a rule, easily cultivated if one or two essential requirements are observed. The tropical species require a temperature of not less than 55° in winter, and a minimum of 65° in summer. A considerable number may be grown in an ordinary greenhouse, and some are suitable for cultivation ca the open air during the warm months of the year. The tropical species require shade in very bright weather, and a liberal allowance of fresh air at all times. ‘They all prefer a light, loamy, well-drained soil. They are propagated by means of cuttings inserted at any time, April being most preferable, as cuttings rooted at that time make large plants by the winter, when Begonias of the shrubby or evergreen section have most value. Some
11.—18
Cultivation.
234 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
of them ripen seeds freely, and from these a stock of plants is easily raised. Much interest and pleasure may be derived from crossing one species with another, the fact that the flowers are unisexual favouring hybridisation. Many valuable garden-plants have been raised within the last ten years in this way.
The Rea section and all its allies, such as heracleifolia, decora, Rajah, ete., are readily propagated by means of leaves. They are cut across the principal nerves, and, as a rule, from every cut a plant is developed, if the leaves are pegged down flat on sandy soil, and placed in a close frame till the plantlets are large enough to be potted Separately. B. rex is a most useful plant for shady borders in green- houses or cool ferneries, It is often used to decorate back walls, which are first covered with wire netting, supporting soil or sphagnum-moss, in which the Begonias are planted at intervals. The rea-socotrana hybrids have the double merit of being handsome foliage plants as well as having beautiful flowers, B. socotrana requires to be started in brisk heat in August, and grown in a tropical house close to the glass till it flowers in December. The hybrids between it and the Andean Begonias require similar treatment,
__ Begonias of the Semperflorens section, now largely used for summer bedding, are as easily grown as Coleus. Cuttings taken in March from old wintered plants, and struck in heat, soon form plants, which must be hardened off by May, and then planted in beds or borders. They
a variety of ways. Tubers started in heat in January and grown ne warm sunny house, planting them in rich light soil, make oem Specimens by April or May. Started later, they are at their best in the
Summer. They may be grown well in an ordinary greenhouse
villa residence. in heat in boxes
planted in beds
glass. They require large enough to handle, they should be transplanted into boxes or pens
of very light sandy soil, placing the seedlings about an inch apart, and watering them rather liberally, A position close to the glass in a wart
*
a ee ee Ee a
BEGONIA FUCHSIOIDES
Nat. size
PL. 113
MAMILLARIAS 235
greenhouse is best for them at. this stage. When they have grown to touch each other, they should be planted singly in pots in light rich soil. If intended for bedding, five-inch pots are large enough for the final shift, but if wanted for the greenhouse, larger pots still should be given. Choice varieties are multiplied: by means of cuttings taken from the tubers in spring when the shoots are a few inches high. Seeds of a good strain of these plants are easily obtained from a Begonia specialist, or selected tubers may be procured cheaply and started in February. The tubers should be wintered dry in a frost-proof frame or shed.
Descriptions of Plate 112. Begonia rex, with young and old leaves, Plates 112-115. and flowers. Although this may be considered natural- sized, the leaves frequently attain a length of 15 or 16 inches. Fig. 1 is a section through the male flower, and Fig. 2 is the female flower similarly treated.
Plate 113 represents B. fuchsioides, one of the shrubby section. Fig. 1 is an unopened male flower; Fig. 2, the same fully open; and Fig. 3, a section of the female flower.
Plate 114 illustrates one of the varieties of B. semperflorens. Fig. 1 is the female flower, and Fig 2 is the same in section.
Plate 115 is a garden hybrid of the tuberous-rooted section. Fig. 1 is a male flower; F ig. 2, the female, both in section; and Fig. 3 is one of the tubers,
MAMILLARIAS Natural Order Cactrx. Genus Mamillaria
MAMILLARIA (Latin, mamilla, a little breast, from the breast- shaped tubercles). A large genus (about three hundred species) of succulent perennials, with cylindrical or globular stems covered with numerous tubercles of variable shapes, spirally arranged, and bearing radiating cluster of spines at their apex. The plants in this genus are never tall, one foot being an extreme height, the more general stature being from 3 to 6 inches. The flowers are produced towards the summit of the plant, usually in a zone, each starting from the axil of a tubercle. They are tubular in form, both calyx and corolla coloured rosy, yellow, or white. The stamens are numerous, attached to the side of the tube; the style thick, long, and terminated by a three- to seven- rayed stigma. Fruit a smooth berry, containing many seeds. The
236 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
species are confined chiefly to Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and the warmer parts of North America, a few West Indian.
Mamillaria simplex, a native of Tropical America, was introduced from the West Indies as far back as 1690, but for more than a century it appears to have been the sole representa- tive of the genus cultivated here. This is, perhaps, not to be wondered at, when we consider that even to-day the growers of Cacti are not very numerous, and the demand for specimens not very pressing. M. pusilla was introduced from the West Indies in 1820, and a few others in the earlier years of the century; in 1827 a half-dozen Chilian species were introduced, and a number of Mexican species in 1835, including J. angularis, M. bicolor, M. eurrhifera, and M. haageana. M. Lehmann, M. sulcolanata, and M. rhodantha, other Mexican species, came in the following year, and the succession of new forms has been maintained since, some remarkable species being of quite recent date. Among these may be mentioned M. fisswrata (Mexico, 1885).
MAMILLARIA BICOLOR (two-coloured). Stem somewhat club-shaped, 8 or 10 inches high, 2 or 3 inches in diameter, branched near base; covered with dark green tubercles, which are partly hidden by the abundant close-set and spreading spines, which give the whole plant a cobwebby appearance. Flowers small, purple.
M. GRAcILis (slender). Stem cylindrical, not more than a couple of inches high, and half an inch thick. Tubercles small; spines white, spreading. Flowers large, pale yellow. Native of Mexico.
M. PECTINATA (comb-like). Stem conical, or more or less globular, 3 inches high ; tubercles short, with rosettes of white spines. Flowers yellow, 2 inches across, fading in about two hours after opening. Mexico.
M. PUSILLA (small), Stem globular, an inch high, with conical greyish tubercles, Spines white and brown. Flowers yellow, tinged with rose.
M. RHODANTHA (rosy-flowered). Stem 3 to 6 inches high, by 2 across, branched with conical tubercles and yellowish spines. Flowers bright rose, numerous, s
M. STELLA-AURATA (gold-starred). Stem branched, 2 inches . .. by 43-inch across, with short tubercles, and yellow spines in @ star- rosette. Flowers small, white. Mexico. ‘
Cultivation. Mamillarias are greenhouse plants that require ® ae position near the glass. In potting,.care should be hich to have perfect drainage, and the soil should be a sandy loam to W : has been added some old limy mortar, and some silver sand. cage: the growing period, they should have frequent waterings, but the
History.
Principal Species,
BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS, var.
Nat. size PL. 114
TORCH THISTLES 237
should not get saturated ; during winter, water should be almost entirely withheld. Give all possible exposure to bright sunshine, and the plants will do well. Some growers graft the more delicate species upon small rooted plants of Cereus. They are easily raised from seeds if these are sown on sandy soil, and placed in a sunny warm position, pricking off the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle. Most of the species develop offsets which may be removed and treated as cuttings. Description of Two species are figured—A, Mamillaria ‘pusilla, and Plate 116. B, M. rhodantha, both of the natural size. The separate | Figures 1 and 2 are an enlarged flower of M. rhodantha, and a section through the same.
20URCe THISTLES Natural Order Cacrem. Genus Cereus
Cereus (Latin, wax, or pliant; in allusion to the wax-like fleshiness of the young shoots, or to the pliant stems of some species). A large genus (two hundred species) of succulent stove or greenhouse perennials whose soft flesh contains a woody core. The stems are mostly long and angular, studded with rosettes of spines. The flowers are large and showy, tubular in form, composed of a large number of sepals and petals, most of which are brightly coloured. The stamens also are very numer- ous, united to the walls of the tube. The style is thread-like, divided at the summit. The species are distributed chiefly throughout Central and South America and the West Indian Islands.
The genus Cereus has been represented in this country “exh for more than two hundred years, several species having been introduced in 1690: C. flagelliformis from Peru, C. hexagonus from Surinam, 0. lanuginosus and C. triangularis from the West Indies. Ten years later there came from Jamaica our first examples of C. grandiflorus. A few additional species turned up in the eighteenth century, beginning with C. tetragonus (1710) from South Armerica, and including C. heptagonus and C. repandus from the West Indies, C. peruvianus from Peru, and C. Royeni from South America—all in 1728. _ Several others were introduced towards the close of last century, but _ _ most of the species were unknown in our greenhouses until the present century, during which some of the finest have been introduced. Not many of these, however, may be easily obtained, and we content our- selves with describing a few species only.
Il.—19
238 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
CEREUS BERLANDIERI (Berlandier’s). A dwarf watery- fleshed species with creeping stems about 6 inches long, and less than an inch thick; ridged, and with hill-like eminences which bear the spines. From the stem grow more upright shoots which support enormous purple flowers (4 inches across) with rosy stamens.
C. cocciNEus (scarlet). Stems creeping, long-jointed, triangular. Spines white and yellow, rising from yellow cushions. Flowers large and many, scarlet. Brazil (1828).
C. CTENOIDES (comb-like). Stem 4 or 5 inches high, and almost as broad ; egg-shaped, with spiral ribs which are closely set with rosettes of long white spines. Flowers bright yellow, 3 or 4 inches across, pro- duced near the summit of plant. Native of Texas.
C. FLAGELLIFORMIS (whip-shaped). Rat’s-tail Cactus, Stems pro- strate, with ten or twelve low ridges chiefly produced by the longitudinal lines of rosettes of long whitish bristles. Flowers violet-pink or red. Plate 117,
C. FULGIDUS (shining). Stems tall, three- to four-angled, spiny at the joints. Flowers lustrous, orange-scarlet, inner petals deeper red; 6 to 7 inches across. Introduced from Tropical America (1870).
C. GRANDIFLORUS (large-flowered). Stems tall, climbing, angled, bristles from downy rosettes. Flowers about 8 inches long, and nearly a foot across, vanilla-scented, opening in the evening, and fading early in the morning; sepals brown without, yellow within, petals pure white.
C. Macponarpia (Macdonald’s). Stems cylindrical, creeping; branched, about 4-inch in diameter. Flowers more than a foot across, opening at night; sepals humerous, red and bright orange, petals pure white. Native of Honduras. :
C. PROCUMBENS (bending down). Stems prostrate, with erect shoots, 3 or 4 inches high ; quadrangular, with tufts of spines along the angles Flowers bright rosy purple, wide-spreading, 3 inches across. <A native of Mexico,
C. QUADRANGULARIS (quadrangular). Stems creeping, four-angled and spiny. Flowers white, fragrant, opening only at night.
C. SPEcIosissimus (most showy). Stems erect, 3 to 6 feet, angled ~ angles toothed and furnished with prickles. Flowers larg® Spreading, bright scarlet ; stamens white. Native of Mexico (1816). :
Cultivation, The directions given for the culture of oe tee ae in the main to Cereus and other genera of oo ag se & winter temperature of something over oe direct mish: “TY House. In Summer they should have plenty ae
me and be watered with care. The plan sometimes adop
Principal Species.
INIA—Hyvbrid
c
TUBEROUS BEG
Nat. size
PL. 115
EPIPHYLLUMS 239
turning them outside during the summer is not a good one unless they have shelter from rain; otherwise the stems are likely to be too sappy to stand our winters. Description of A plant of Cereus flagelliformis reduced to about two- Fiate1l7. thirds of the natural size. Fig. 1, section of a flower.
PHyLLocactus (Greek, phyllon, a leaf, and Cactus) is a genus of about a dozen species, natives of Tropical America: shrubby epiphytes, generally clinging by means of their roots to the trunks of gigantic forest trees, and remarkable for their flat blade-like stems, the absence of true leaves, and for the large size and rich colours of their beautiful flowers. . They share with Epiphyllum the favour of cultivators in this country who do not care for Cacti generally. Many hybrids have been raised from them, and there are several hundreds of named varieties known. All are easily grown in light soil in a sunny position in a warm greenhouse, and often a success in room windows. They are easily multiplied by means of cuttings inserted in small pots in sandy soil or from seeds sown in spring.
The Frontispiece to Volume IIL represents Phyllocactus phyl- lanthoides,
EPIPHYLLUMS Natural Order Cacrem. Genus Epiphyllum
EprpHyiium (Greek epi, upon, and phyllon, a leaf: the branches resembling leaves and the flowers growing therefrom). A genus of three or four species, with small, flattened, fleshy branches of trailing or drooping habit, and large showy flowers. Natives of Brazil. Epiphyllum truncatum was introduced from Brazil in the year 1818 ; the forms most generally cultivated are of this species ; they need greenhouse treatment.
EPIPHYLLUM TRUNCATUM (maimed). Stem jointed, compressed, the branches ending abruptly, as though eut off Flowers showy, red or rosy, nearly 3 inches long, from the ends of the branches ; stamens white. There are a number of garden varieties, the differences, however, being mere shades of colour. It grows naturally on the trunks of trees, a fact explaining its drooping habit. #. russellianwm has smaller, narrower branchlets. E. makoyanum and EL. Gaertneri, both recent introductions, have stouter branchlets and larger flowers, and are preferable to the above. There are. numerous named varieties of Z. truncatum in cultivation,
Species,
240 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
They are all tropical in their requirements, and prefer shade and moisture in the summer. They are propagated from cuttings or are grafted upon stems of Pereskia, any Be pe off rooting readily ; but from the first such cuttings begin to es stp and grow towards the earth. If the plants are desired for a a 8 basket or similar arrangement, this drooping habit will ae a . but otherwise it will, perhaps, be thought better to adopt the F gel: grafting upon a stem of Pereskia specially grown as a nae - 7 purpose. This ensures the plant starting at sufficient heig as ne soil to enable it to grow down and display its fine flowers. I re bee one graft can be effected upon the same stock, by inserting the a 2 2 of Epiphyllum at different heights. The operation should be ene in spring, when the growing joints of Epiphyllum may be pulle a and inserted in an incision in the stock, the method of fixing ae : use one of the Pereskia spines as a peg, and drive it through stoc me graft. By this means the graft is retained until a junction of a ee become effected. The compost they prefer is a mixture of peat, oe and sand in equal parts. They must be allowed only sufficient water : prevent withering, and in February they should be started into eel: by giving more water and a higher temperature. They will a> their blossoms in a temperature lower than 60°; but this accomp “ , they may be moved to cooler quarters, where their flowers will probably last longer.
iii of Epiphyllum truncatum is here represented ace one-third less than the natural size, the full dimensions 0 ing more nearly shown in the section marked 1.
Cultivation.
the flower be
INDIAN FIGS AND PRICKLY PEARS Natural Order Cacrem. Genus Opuntia
OPUNTIA (classical name used by Pliny). A genus comprising gor one hundred anid fifty species of succulent trees and shrubs. When j the stems contain a woody core, or may become almost entirely woo¢ fe and in various Species they are somewhat cylindrical, globular, on flattened. Ina young state they have minute fleshy leaves beneath t downy tubercles from which the spi From the same point the yellow or or: t the usual in Cacti, there is no distinction between sepals and petals ; re ae flowers of Opuntia differ from those of the other genera we Ma
(4) MAMILLARIA
Nat. size
PUSILLA
(B) MAMILLARIA RHODANTHA
Nat. size
PL. 116
INDIAN FIGS AND PRICKLY PEARS 241
described in being open and not tubular. The flowers are succeeded by pear-shaped or egg-shaped spiny fruits; those of some species being known as Prickly Pears, and greatly esteemed for their sweet, cooling, juicy pulp. The species are natives of the tropical and warm portions of America, but some have been introduced to and become naturalised in Southern Europe, the Canaries, and Northern Africa—hence its name of Barbary Fig.
Opuntia vulgaris, the hardiest of the tribe, and a native of Mexico, ete., was introduced from Southern Europe in that golden year from which we date so many horticultural novelties, 1596. Nearly a century passed by before another species was added to our green- houses; this was 0. cwrassavica from Curagoa in 1690. 0. ficus-indica from Mexico, and 0. Tuna, from the West Indies, were introduced in 1731, O. nigricans from South America in 1795, and many less popular species during the present century. 0. Z’wna, by reason of its prickly nature, is largely grown as a hedge-plant, as well as for rearing the valuable Cochineal insect. The same species, as well as 0. ficus-indica and O. decumana, is also much cultivated on account of its juicy fruits (Prickly Pears). From these fruits sugar and water-colours have been prepared, and from them the Mexicans make a beverage called Colinche.
PUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (Indian-fig). Stem erect, 6 feet high, joints oval, flattened, without spines. Leaves awl-shaped. Flowers yellow; May. Fruit oval, bristly, red within; edible.
O. MULTIFLORA (many-flowered). Erect growing, branches oval, flattened, with numerous clusters of unequal spines. Flowers yellow; June to August.
O. Rarinesquii (Rafinesque’s). Plant spreading, 1 foot high; joints pear-shaped, flattened. Leaves spreading, a few small spines and a long one in some of the axils. Flowers yellow, often with red centre. Introduced from North America (1868).
O. Tuna (American-Spanish name). Stem 20 feet high in old plants; joints with tufts of four to six spreading yellow spines. Flowers dull reddish orange; July. Fruit pear-shaped, 2 or 3 inches long, rich carmine in colour and fleshy.
O. VULGARIS (common). Plant of low stature, spreading ; joints broadly oval, flat, dotted with downy eminences from which the leaves have fallen. Leaves thick, awl-shaped, fleshy, a few spines in their axils occasionally. Flowers pale yellow; June to September. This plant is similar to 0. Rafinesquii, but the joints are more flattened and broader, and the flowers have a smaller number of petals. Plate 119.
ii.—-20
History.
Principal Species.
242 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
The general directions for other genera of CACTE# apply a to Opuntia, except that they wili do well in loam without the addition of other substances, though broken brick ensures = drainage. Several species, among which are 0. Leafinesqurr ee O. vulgaris, are hardy, and may be grown in sunny situations ou : doors, if care is taken to secure perfect drainage. A hand-light oT be placed over outdoor specimens in winter to protect them a excessive moisture, and very severe frosts. They will ripen their ae in this country, and these may be used for propagation. More oe 5 they are raised from cuttings. For this purpose joints eae a detached, and laid on a dry shelf for several days, at least unti = severed portion has completely dried, and then planted in a pot filled wi loam and brick-dust. They should be kept nearly dry until rooted. Description of A portion of a plant of Opuntia vulgaris, srbies Mate 119. the shape and thickness of the joints. The small Jom the front of the group is provided with leaves; and beneat
expanded flower, behind it, there is a solitary long spine. The flower in section is shown at Fig. 1.
FIG MARIGOLDS
Natural Order Ficowr,. Genus Mesembryanthemum
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM flower ; the flowers op comprising about th with thick flesh On a casual
‘, Sometimes entirely absent. ts in the top taking a star-shape. The species -— outh Africa, but a few are scattered over Australasia, the Mediterranean region.
A very large number of Mesembryanthemums are known to gardeners, and for about a hundred and fifty years they have been widely cultivated. A few have a much longer record of their presence in British gardens. One species—M. latwm— was introduced in 1620, and VM edule, the well-known Hottentot Fig, in
Fruit opening by sli mostly natives of § the Canaries, and
2/, Nat. size PL. 117
RAT’S-TAIL CACTUS
(CEREUS FLAGELLIFORMIS)
FIG MARIGOLDS 243
1690. Two others—M. coccinewm and M. glawewm—were introduced about 1696, and M. erystallinum, the familiar Ice-plant, was first brought to public notice in 1725. M. echinatum and M. tricolorum appeared fifty years later, and M. violacewm and M. cymbifolium in 1820 and 1822 respectively. Many less familiar forms came in between, and there has been a steady procession of new forms all through this century. J. edule is grown for its pleasant fruit. The leaves of M. pugioniforme are said to be a good substitute for Spinach, and those of M. tortuosum to be chewed as a narcotic by the Hottentots. M. cystallinwm is burnt in great quantities for the use of the glassmaker. A peculiarity of the seed-vessels must be noted. These shrivel up and imprison the seed, but on the approach of the rain that fits the ground for their germination, the vessel becomes plump and turgid. The seeds are thereby pressed out.
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM COCCINEUM (scarlet). Stems shrubby, erect, 1} foot high. Leaves three-sided, blunt, somewhat glaucous. Flowers solitary, spreading, scarlet; May to September.
M. CRYSTALLINUM (crystalline). Ice-plant. Stems trailing, spread- ing. Plant covered with glittering points as though frosted. Leaves egg-shaped, alternate, clasping the stem. Flowers white, in the axils, almost stalkless ; May to August.
‘M. CYMBIFOLIUM (boat-leaved). Stem shrubby, 1 foot high. Leaves thick, keeled, upper surface concave, opposite. Flowers yellow. Plate 120C.
M. ECHINATUM (hedgehog-like). Stem shrubby,- erect, branched, 3 to 6 inches high. Leaves swollen, oval-oblong, covered with little spiny points. Flowers yellow, not very striking; August. Plate 120B.
M. EDULE (edible). Hottentot Fig. Stem prostrate, shrubby ; branches angled. Leaves three-sided, slightly channelled, keel toothed. Flowers large, solitary, at end of shoots, yellow ; July.
M. TRICOLORUM (three-coloured). | Stems _ prostrate, distantly branched. Leaves slender, cylindrical, pointed. Flowers large and bright, on long stalks, straw-coloured, crimson near the centre; April.
M. VIOLACEUM (violet). Stems shrubby, erect, 1 to 2 feet high ; branches with a violet tinge. Leaves almost round, obscurely three- sided, glaucous, studded with rough dots. Flowers varying from flesh- colour to violet ; June to October. Plate 120A.
These plants like a rather poor soil; yellow loam to which has been added plenty of sand and old mortar with well-rotted manure will serve admirably. Few of them are sufficiently hardy to be grown without greenhouse protection; but all those
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
244 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
mentioned may be utilised in summer out of doors for edging and ornamental bedding. They are sometimes grown in room windows, very fine specimens being not uncommon in cottagers’ windows in this country. Propagation is effected by breaking off small pieces and laying them upon damp sand in full sunshine, and in the course of a few weeks they will emit roots. Description of A, Mesembryanthemum violaceum; 1, A, section of Plate 120. flower. B, M. echinatum. C, M.cymbifoliwm. All of the natural sizes.
UMBELLIFEROUS FLOWERS Natural Order UMBELLIFERZ
This important Natural Order of plants, comprising one hundred and fifty-two genera and about thirieen hundred species, is singularly poor in garden flowers, though its contributions to the kitchen-garden are neither few nor unimportant. Most of those that appeal to the horti- culturist do so not on account of their flowers, but of their much-dissected and handsome foliage. Several species of Hryngium (allied to our native Sea-holly) are occasionally cultivated for the sake of their stiff glaucous leaves and heads of small blue flowers. <Astrantia major, the Black Masterwort, with pink and white flowers, is a showy border perennial. The Australasian genus TJ'rachymene contributes a single annual species, T. cerulea, with bright blue flowers. The genus Ferula is sometimes represented in beds bordering lawns by single specimens of F. communis, the Giant Fennel, whose finely divided foliage forms dense tufts, 3 or 4 feet high and wide, from which rise the flower-stems 3 feet higher. F. tingitana and F. glauca are also cultivated like F. communis as foliage plants. The genus Heraclewm, represented on our roadside wastes and hedge-banks by the Hogweed (H. sphondyliwm), includes several noble species that have been introduced to our shrubberies and wild-gardens from abroad. The most frequently seen is H. villoswm, or, as it is more generally but less correctly named, H. gigantewm. It grows to a height of 10 or 12 feet, but is quite out of place ina small garden, or indeed any place where it has not plenty of room to show itself. It is a native of the Caucasus.
A few other genera are occasionally represented in gardens, but on the whole the Order has very little interest for the gardener, though it has much for the botanist.
EPIPHYLLUM TRUNCATUM
2/, Nat. size
PL, 118
FATSIAS 245
FATSIAS Natural Order ARALIACEH. Genus Fatsia
Fartsta (the J apanese name). A small genus comprising only three species of shrubs with large, handsome, palmately-lobed leaves, and small greenish flowers arranged in umbels. Petals five, stamens five, stigmas five. The flowers are very similar to those of the Order UMBELLIFERA. The species are confined to North-West America, J. apan, and Formosa.
The Fatsias are of recent introduction to British gardens, F. horrida, from North-West America, making its appearance only in 1829 and F. papyrifera in 1852. The last named is rather tender in this country, and used chiefly in what is called sub- tropical gardening, but in its native country it has something more than horticultural value. It is the plant from which the Rice-paper is made. It is said to attain its full size in less than a year, when the stems are cut down and left to soak in running water for several days to loosen the bark. Then the cylindrical mass of pith is removed, cut into lengths, and revolved against the edge of a sharp knife, which cuts it into a thin even sheet. ;
FATSIA HORRIDA (rugged, in allusion to its spines and prickles). Stems 6 to 12 feet high, armed with yellow spines. Leaves palmately-lobed, the general outline being heart-shaped ; prickly. Flowers in terminal panicles of umbels; August.
F. saponica (Japanese). Stem erect, 3 to 5 feet. Leaves large and leathery ; digitately lobed. Flowers small, in umbellate panicles; July and August. There is a var. variegata with white margins and blotches; var. reticulata has golden-yellow veins, and var. variegata-awrea has markings of a rich yellow hue. Also known as Aralia Sieboldii.
F. PAPYRIFERA (paper-bearing). Rice-paper Plant. Stem erect, branching above, 6 to 8 feet high. Leaves large, five- or seven-lobed. Flowers in drooping panicles; July and August. Young plant downy, afterwards smooth.
Fatsias are chiefly grown in pots for greenhouse or indoor decoration; sometimes turned out in the beds in summer, ‘They succeed best in a compost of which sandy loam forms the base, and to which is added peat, leaf-mould, and sand. They require plenty of water, but free drainage must be provided. Propagation is effected by cuttings either of the root or stem, pieces about two inches long being inserted in pots of sandy soil and placed in bottom heat, when
Il.—21 '
History.
Species.
Culture.
246 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
they root freely. F. japonica is easily raised from seeds sown in gentle heat. In the South of England it thrives out of doors in sheltered positions. There is a fine mass of it in the arboretum at Kew. It is largely grown as a window-plant. Description of Upper portion of a plant of Fatsia japonica showing ft leaves-and flower. Fig. 1 shows a flower enlarged; 2, a section through same; and 3, a fruit.
ARALIAS Natural Order ARALIACEZ. Genus Aralia
ARALIA (derivation unknown). A genus of about thirty species of perennial herbs or shrubs, very similar to Fatsia, which was formerly included here. The leaves are digitately lobed or pinnate. Flowers very like those of Fatsia, though the petals are differently arranged. The species are prown for the handsome foliage, not for the flowers. They are natives of North America, New Zealand, and Asia.
ARALIA CHAaBRIERI (Chabrier’s), Stem erect. Leaves
of this plant is Eleodendron orientale. It is not even an Araliad. A. CHINENSIS (Chinese). Stem erect, 5 to 20 feet high, branched,
soil is very porous, Introduced from China (1838). Syn. Dimorphenthus _ mandschuricus,
A. ELEGANTISSIMA (most elegant). Stem erect, Leaves digitate ; leaflets exceedingly slender, pendulous ; leaf-stalk mottled with white.
white. Introduced from North America (1688), where it is known as Angelica-tree. Hardy in sheltered situations,
A. Verrentt (Veitch’s). Stem erect, slender. Leaves digitate, with ten or eleven long and very slender, undulated leaflets, on long slender
fe
#e™ . 444608 % Ca bree statet = ta & Peete
Nat. size PL. 119
OPUNTIA VULGARIS
IVIES 247
The tropical species of Aralia require a hot moist house and rich well-drained soil. They are propagated by means of cuttings, but A. Veitchii and a few similar species can only be multiplied by means of grafting. The hardy species thrive in sunny positions in light soils, and are propagated in the same manner as Fatsias.
Cultivation.
IVIES
Natural Order ARALIACER. Genus Hedera
HEDERA AUSTRALIANA (Australian). Leaves pinnate, with a few more or less oval leaflets, smooth and shining, as much as 6 inches long.
H. HEuix (a Latin name for creeping Ivy, from the Greek word Celix) for anything coiled or twining). Common Ivy. Stems trailing and flowerless, or arboreous and flowering, old specimens forming trunks 6 to 10 inches in diameter. Leaves leathery, heart-shaped at base, variably lobed and differing in width, those of the flowering branches lance-shaped. Flowers yellowish green; September to November. There are an enormous number of varieties recorded, their differences chiefly consisting in some slight departure from the typical form in the colour and size of the leaf or the shape of the lobes.
Ivies will grow almost anywhere in these islands, in
~ sunshine or shade. A more luxuriant growth can be obtained by enriching the soil, but they do fairly well in all but the poorest and driest of earth. They are readily propagated by cuttings from pieces of stem a foot long, planted in a sunny border in autumn. The tree form is not so easily rooted as the climbing form. Choice _ varieties are sometimes grafted. Where a number of vigorous plants are wanted to cover some new or unsightly object quickly, the cuttings should be struck in a little heat, They will make much more rapid _ growth when planted out.
Species.
Culture.
248 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
HONEYSUCKLES Natural Order CAPRIFOLIACEH. Genus Lonicera
LonIcERA (named by Linneus in honour of Adam Lonicer, a German botanist, 1528-1586). A genus of erect or twining shrubs, including about eighty species. They have simple, opposite leaves. Calyx-tube oval, or nearly globular, with five teeth. Corolla tubular, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, with irregular limb, obliquely cut or two-lipped. Stamens five. Natives of the Temperate and warmer regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
LoNICERA CAPRIFOLIUM (Goat-leaf). Perfoliate Honey- uckle. Stems twining. Leaves broadly oval or oblong, the upper pairs joined by their bases. Flowers dull red without, yellow within; May and June. Native of Europe, naturalised locally in England.
L. FLEXUOSA (flexuous). Japanese Honeysuckle. Stems twining. Leaves oval-oblong, some entire, others lobed like an oak-leaf ; opposite. Flowers small, pale yellow, in pairs, fragrant; June and July. Native of Japan (1806). There is a var. Aurea reticulata, whose leaves are netted or blotched with yellow.
L. FRAGRANTISSIMA (most fragrant). Stems erect, 6 feet high. “Leaves oblong. Flowers white, tube short, but mouth nearly an inch across; fragrant; February. Native of China (1845).
PERICLYMENUM. Woodbine. Stems twining, 10 to 20 feet. Leaves oval; upper stalkless. Flowers in terminal heads ; red without, yellow within; fragrant; June to September. Native.
L. SEMPERVIRENS (evergreen). Stems twining, 15 feet high. Leaves ovate; upper pairs joined by their bases. Flowers scarlet without, yellow within; in terminal whorled spikes; May to August. Introduced from North America (1656).
Loniceras succeed in any good garden soil. The climbing species should be planted against a trellis,
h, or arbour. Most of the species produce their flowers on the newly-formed shoots, and may therefore be cut back freely in autumn, but L. fragrantissima and L. Standishit flower early im the year on the old wood. These must not be pruned until after flowering. L. sempervirens is best grown in a cool house, where it may be trained up pillars. Propagation is chiefly effected by cuttings or layers.
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
FIG MARIGOLDS (A) MESEMBRYANTHEMUM VIOLACEUM (B) M, ECHINATUM (C) M. CYMBIFOLIUM nee Nat. size PL. 120
DIERVILLAS 249
DIERVILLAS
Natural Order CapriroLiace®. Genus Diervilla
DIERVILLA (named by Tournefort in honour of M. Dierville, a French surgeon and traveller, who sent home the first species, 1739). A genus of hardy ornamental shrubs with opposite leaves, and funnel- shaped or bell-shaped tubular flowers in showy clusters. Stamens five ; style slender. The species are natives of North America and Asia. Some are better known in gardens under the synonym of Weigela.
DIERVILLA GRANDIFLORA (large-flowered). Stems branched, 8 feet high. Leaves oval-lance-shaped, toothed, strongly veined beneath. Flowers pink; May and June. Native of Japan. Several varieties are known in gardens,
D. ROSEA (rosy). Similar to the last, but of smaller stature (6 feet) and foliage. The leaves lack the prominence of the net-veining beneath, and the rosy or white flowers are produced in greater abundance. Introduced from China (1844). There are several varieties of this species also.
Principal Species,
Diervillas succeed out of doors in ordinary garden soil, provided they have a fair amount of moisture, and the aspect is not very sunny. They may be propagated by separating the suckers, or by means of cuttings taken in autumn or spring.
Cultivation.
GUELDER ROSE AND LAURESTINE Natural Order CapriFoLiAcEz. GENUS Viburnum
VIBURNUM (the classical Latin name). A genus with about eighty species of trees and shrubs, having leaves toothed, usually opposite, occasionally in threes; and white or pinkish flowers. The structure of the flowers is similar to that of Diervilla, but the inflorescence is a large corymb or panicle, the outer flowers often large and sterile. They are natives of the temperate and warm regions of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south to the Andes, and occurring rarely in the West Indies and Madagascar. Two species are natives of Britain—V. Opulus and V. Lantana, ;
II.—22
250 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
VIBURNUM DILATATUM (extended). Stems 10 feet high. Leaves almost round, coarsely toothed, slightly hairy. Flowers white, in cymes; June. Introduced from J apan (1845).
V. MACROCEPHALUM (large-headed). Stems 20 feet high. Leaves oval, toothed, somewhat rough, covered beneath with scurfy down. Flowers in compound cymes, somewhat pyramidal in form, the outer flowers sterile; June. Introduced from China (1844). The V. Fortunei of gardens.
V. PLIcATUM (plaited), A sturdy shrub with rough dark green ovate leaves, and compact heads of pure white flowers. One of the best of shrubs for gardens in the South of England. A native of China.
V. Oputus (rich). Guelder Rose. Stem branched, 6 to 8 feet. Leaves three-lobed, toothed, downy when young. Flowers in roundish cymes, 3 or 4 inches across; inner flowers creamy, }-inch across; outer white, 23-inch; June and July. The var. sterilis is the Snowball-tree of gardens; the cyme more globular and all the flowers sterile.
V. Tinus (the Latin name). lLaurustinus, or Laurestine. Stems branched, 8 to 10 feet, Leaves oval-oblong, margins entire; veining beneath marked out by glandular hairs; evergreen. Flowers in flat corymbs ; rosy at time of opening, but soon becoming white ; December to March. Introduced from Southern Europe three hundred years ago. There are several garden varieties,
Cultivation. Vibwrnwms exhibit no particular preference in the
matter of soils; therefore may be introduced into almost
any garden where desired, Propagation is also a simple process
Cuttings should be made from the half-ripened wood, and inserted in
Sandy soil in a shady place. They should also be covered with a cloche, or hand-light, until rooted. The lower shoots may be layered.
Principal Species,
BOUVARDIAS Natural Order RUBIACEZ. Genus Bouvardia
_ Bouvarpra (named by Salisbury in honour of Dr. Chas. Bouvard, a former Superintendent of the Jardin du Roi, Paris). A genus os evergreen greenhouse shrubs, comprising about twenty-six species, mostly natives of Mexico, with handsome flowers in terminal corymbs, a? opposite or whorled leaves, The calyx is tubular, with four awl-shaped lobes. The corolla is tubular, elongated and funnel-shaped, with a four- parted spreading limb. Stamens attached to the corolla-tube; stigma divided into two plates at its extremity,
JAPANESE ARALIA (FATSIA JAPONICA)
—
1/, Nat. size PL. 121
BOUVARDIAS 251
History.
—having been introduced from Mexico just over a hundred years ago. For twenty years it remained the sole representative of the genus in this country ; then it was followed by B. versicolor from South America, and thirteen years later (1827) by B. longiflora, the subject of our Plate. B. angustifolia was introduced in 1838, B. flava in 1845, B. Cavanillesi;
boldtit in 1874. With the exception of B. jasminiflora, which is South
American, all these species came f
rom Mexico. They have been much
cultivated and crossed, with the result that there are a number of hybrids, some of which are more in request than the original species,
Principal Species.
BOUVARDIA ANGUSTIFOLIA (narrow-leaved). Stems round, 2 feet high. Leaves lance-shaped, with edges turned
back and fine hairs beneath: in whorls of three. Flowers pale red ;
September.
B. FLava (yéllow). Stems about 18 inches high. Leaves oval- lance-shaped, fringed with fine hairs; opposite. Flowers drooping, yellow, three to five in a raceme ; March.
B. Humsoipri (Humboldt’s
). Leaves oblong. Flowers large, white
and fragrant; tube long; in terminal racemes ; September to February. B, JASMINIFLORA (J asmine-flowered). Leaves elliptic, opposite. Flowers white, fragrant, numerous, in compound eymes; November to
February.
B. LONGIFLORA (long-flowered). Stems squarish, smooth, 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves oblong, smooth, opposite. Flowers white, with long
tubes, fragrant ; stalkless ; autumn. B. TRIPHYLLA (three-leaved
Plate 122,
). Stems 2 to 3 feet high, with three-
sided, hairy branches. Leaves oblong, three in a whorl, hairy beneath,
Flowers scarlet, nearly an inch long;
July.
GARDEN Hyprips.
SINGLE-FLOWERED. Bockii, tube white, limb coral-red. Brilliant, bright crimson. Dazzler, large, rich scarlet, bushy. Flavescens, pale yellow.
ogarth, scarlet,
ura, fine rose.
Longiflora Jlammea, blush-rose. Maiden’s Blush blush-rose.
Rosea multiflora, large, rosy pink.
Rosea oculata, flesh.
Scarlet Prince, bright scarlet.
The Bride, white.
Vreelandii, white, abundant.
Vulcan, rich scarlet,
White Bouquet, dwarf, white.
DOUBLE-FLOWERED.
Alfred Neuner, white, profuse bloomer,
Flavescens _flore pleno, lemon-yellow, anging to cream.
Hogarth flore pleno, large, scarlet-carmine.
President Garfield, pink, in large trusses.
252 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
Bouvardias are very valuable plants where cut flowers are in request. Their culture is by no means difficult, and they do not need the high temperature that is commonly given to them. They may be placed out of doors in summer and treated after the
Cultivation.
manner of a pot Chrysanthemum, or even planted out in a frame or on”
a spent hot-bed, plunging the pots up to the rim in ashes or in the spent hot-bed (taking care that drainage is perfect), giving plenty of water,
and mulching the tops to protect the roots. The shoots should be
pinched back, and when the pots are well filled with roots liquid manure should be given. In potting a liberal quantity of crocks should be allowed, as efficient drainage is of the utmost importance; and the compost should consist of equal quantities of fibrous loam, sand, and leaf-mould, with the addition of a little peat.
Stopping the shoots should not be practised later than the end of August. As soon as the weather begins to turn cold they should be removed to the greenhouse, where they will do well through the winter in a temperature between 50° and 60°. They are propagated by means of cuttings taken from the new shoots, not necessarily at a joint, for they readily root from any part. The compost mentioned above, covered with a good layer of sand, should be used, the cuttings inserted rather closely in the pots, covered with a bell-glass, and placed in bottom heat. They require a close moist temperature of about 75°, and in this they will be rooted in about three weeks.
Description of A flowering shoot of Bouvardia longiflora. Fig. 1, Plate 122. a flower removed; Fig. 2, a section of the same.
IXORAS Natural Order Rupracex. Genus Jxora
Txora (from Iswarra, the name of an Indian deity, to whose idol the flowers are offered). A genus of about one hundred species of stove evergreens, mostly with opposite leaves and salver-shaped tubular flowers in terminal corymbs ; scarlet, pink, or white, and frequently fragrant. The four or five anthers are inserted in the throat of the corolla-tube, and the succulent fruit is inferior to the calyx. The species are found chiefly in the tropical regions of Asia and Africa; a few others being natives of America, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. J. eoccwned 8 used medicinally in India.
ce ees PRE eT NO alee eT eee
BOUVARDIA LONGIFLORA
PL. 122
IXORAS 253
TXORA CHELSONI (Chelsea). Stems branching, dwarf. Flowers profuse, bright orange -salmon, in large, dense, rounded corymbs; June to September. A garden hybrid.
I. coccrnEa (scarlet). Stems 3 to 4 feet high. Leaves heart-shaped, shining. Flowers bright scarlet, 2 inches long, in maaberiate corymbs ; June to September. Introduced from East Indies (1814).
I. CoLetr (Cole’ s). A handsome and robust garden hybrid, the pro- geny of J. coccinea and J. stricta. Leaves roundish. Flowers pure white, in large corymbs.
I. CONCINNA (neat). A garden hybrid with large corymbs of bright salmon-coloured flowers, which afterwards become more pinkish. First produced in 1882.
I. Frasert (Fraser's). A garden variety with brilliant salmon- coloured flowers, the corolla-tubes carmine-scarlet; in numerous large globular corymbs.
I. FULGENS (glittering). Stems 3 to 4 feet high. Leaves slender- lance-shaped. Flowers orange-scarlet, in dense terminal corymbs; June to August. Introduced from the East Indies (1823).
I. JAVANICA (Javan). Stems 3 to 4 feet high. Leaves oval- -oblong. Flowers orange, in dense corymbs; June to September. Introduced from Java (1846).
I. MACROTHYRSA (large thyrsus). A fine plant with broad leaves as much as 10 inches long, and immense corymbs of deep-red flowers. Introduced from South Sea Islands (1878).
I. Piterimi (Pilgrim’s). A fine garden hybrid, owning J. Williamsi (a garden variety) as parent, produced in 1880. The flowers are bright orange-scarlet tinged with crimson, and clustered in dense round corymbs, -7 inches across.
I. prINcEps (foremost). A natural species from Java, with lance- shaped leaves 6 or 7 inches long, and flowers which are at first buff-white but afterwards deep reddish orange.
I. REGINA (queen). A garden variety with oval leaves and large corymbs of violet-salmon flowers.
I. SPLENDENS (splendid). A garden variety with bluntly elliptic leaves and brilliant coppery-scarlet flowers in very large corymbs.
I, WitiiAmsI (Williams’). A garden variety with large corymbs of reddish-salmon flowers.
Ixoras all require stove treatment, and it is almost impossible to give them too high a temperature or too humid an atmosphere during the summer. J. Pilgrimi will succeed in a much lower temperature than the others; and for all the house should
Il.—23
Principal Species.
Cultivation.
254 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE
be kept both cooler and drier during the winter, otherwise they will not sufficiently ripen their wood. The most suitable soil is a compost of fibrous peat and leaf-mould, with a plentiful addition of silver sand. Although abundance of light is necessary for their successful growth, they must be protected from the direct rays of the sun in summer, Propagation is effected by means of short cuttings, inserted singly in pots of the compost named, and plunged in bottom heat, in a close and shaded frame; transferred to five-inch pots when rooted, and placed in the stove with a high temperature and kept moist.
CROSSWORTS Natural Order Rusiacem, Genus Asperula
ASPERULA (from Latin, asper, rough). A genus of about fifty species of herbs or small shrubs, with four-angled stems. The leaves and leaf-like