THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Fig. 191. HEDERA HELIX R&GNERIANA. 
H. H. rhombea (rhomboid).* l. rhomboid, green, narrowly mar- 
gined with creamy-white, A distinct form of medium, or, rather, 
small size, and of somewhat slow growth. : 
H. sagitteefolia (arrow-leaved). J. usually bluntly three- 
lobed, the central lobe projecting forward in the form of a letter 
V; colour a dull dark green, with a few patches of blackish- 
bronze, which change, in autumn, to a rich purplish-bronze ; prin- 
opal — light green, A free grower, of wiry habit. (S. H. 
vy, 69. 
H. H. scutifolia (shield-shaped-leaved). 1. medium size, roundish 
triangular, or obscurely three-lobed, dull green ; veins obscurely 
marked. A distinct variety, but not a robust grower. SYN. 
H. cordata. (S. H. Ivy, 74.) 
Fic. 192. HEDERA HELIX VARIEGATA. 
H. H. variegata (variegated). This, one of the numerous 
forms of our native Ivy, has lighter green leaves, 
margined and blotched with creamy-white. It keeps very con- 
stant, ———— not so quick a grower or so handsome as 
some others, is well worth a place against a wall or an old tree 
trunk.« See Fig. 192. 
H. H. Willseana (Wills’s). This is a dark-leaved form, nearl 
allied to H. H. lobata major, from which it differs in the — 
being less di y marked, and in the colour being much 
darker in the Summer, and in winter deepening to almost 
black. SYN. H. nigra, (S. H. Ivy, 62 and 72.) 
H, nigra (black). A synonym of H. Helix Willseana. 
H. poneer (three-coloured), A synonym of H. Helix marginata 
H. viridis (green). A synonym of H. Helix algeriensis. 
HEDERACEÆ. Aname given to the order Araliacee. 
HEDGEHOG THISTLE. See Echinocactus. 
HEDGE HYSSOP. See Gratiola. 
_ HEDGES, Hedges of various descriptions are exten- 
sively planted in connection with gardens. They may 
Hedges—continued. 
either form the boundary fence, or be intended for screens, 
shelter, &e. Various shrubs and plants are available for 
utilising, according as any one may succeed better than 
another, or to suit the special requirement for which the 
Hedge is intended. Different soils and localities must also 
be taken into consideration. Box, Privet, Thuja, &c., suc- 
ceed almost anywhere as Hedges, the last-named doing best 
on rather heavy soil; but neither is suited for anything 
beyond a screen where there is a paling as well, or for 
dividing one part of a garden from another. As a 
boundary fence, Whitethorn and Beech, planted together 
when young, and afterwards kept frequently cut in, form, 
eventually, a Hedge which is practically impassable. Black- 
thorn may also be similarly used, but it has the dis- 
advantage of throwing up quantities of suckers from 
creeping roots. The Myrobalan, or Cherry Plum (Prunus 
cerasifera) is sometimes used, and forms, when esta- 
blished, an excellent Hedge. It is, moreover, very attrac- 
tive when in flower. Hornbeam grows quickly, and makes 
a capital deciduous Hedge, either for a boundary or for 
shelter. Common Laurel may also be planted for the 
purpose, but it is liable to injury from severe frosts. Yew 
and common Holly make the thickest and best Hedges for 
shelter. The former is rather slow-growing, and both suc- 
ceed best on a rich, rather heavy soil. Hollies transplant 
readily in April or September, when of a good height; 
consequently, a full-sized, thick Hedge may be at once 
secured in necessary cases. When inserting young 
plants, autumn or early spring should be selected for 
the operation ; the ground should be previously well pre- 
pared by trenching, and by the addition of a little manure, 
if it is poor. In the case of a Hedge which is eventually to 
be a boundary division for keeping cattle, &c., out of a 
garden inclosure, a wooden fence will be requisite for some 
time as well. This may be made of rough posts, with 
long bars fitted in them. Thorns should be cut nearly 
to the ground the first year, and stopped enough after- 
wards to keep them thick at the bottom. They should 
be trimmed once or twice each summer after becoming 
established. Holly and Yew Hedges are usually clipped, 
with shears, in September, when growth is completed. 
Broad-leaved shrubs, such as Laurels, should be cut in 
with a knife, in preference to shears, which sever the 
leaves, rendering them unsightly, and the Hedge ex- 
ceedingly formal. Young Hedges are much improved, 
and their growth encouraged, when the soil is kept open 
round their roots with a hoe or fork, which also destroys 
weeds at the same time. 
HEDWIGIA (named after John Hedwig, 1730-1799, a 
celebrated muscologist and Professor of Botany, at Leipsic). 
Syns. Caproxylon, Tetragastris. Orp. Burseracee. A 
genus containing four or five species of glabrous trees, 
natives of the West Indies, Northern Brazil, and Guiana. 
H. balsamifera, the species best known to cultivation, is 
a tall-growing stove evergreen tree, yielding an exudation 
of a balsamic nature. It requires a sandy loam soil, with 
a little peat added, Propagated by ripened cuttings, in- 
serted in sandy soil, in a rather strong heat. 
H. balsamifera (balsam-bearing). jl. whitish, small, in panicled 
racemes, J, impari-pinnate, with stalked, quite entire, coriaceous 
leaflets. h. 60ft. West Indies, 1820. 
HEDYCHIUM (from hedys, sweet, and chion, snow; 
referring to the sweet-scented snow-white flowers of 
H. coronarium, which was the first species introduced). 
Indian Garland Flower. ORD. Scitaminew. A genus of 
about twenty-five species of handsome stove herbaceous 
plants, all natives of tropical Asia. They have terminal 
spikes of white, scarlet, or yellow flowers, and fine foliage. 
Some of the species, particularly H. Gardnerianum, thrive 
well planted out in a wide conservatory border, in a com- 
post of good loam enriched with a little thoroughly decayed 
manure, and the whole rendered porous by the addition of 
some sharp sand. Hedychiums are exceedingly ornamental. 
