November 29, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



7:33 



Funkias or Plaintain Lilies 



The indiscriminate recommending of hardy her- 

 baceous plants by the sweeping statement: "Growing 

 anywhere ; requiring little or no care," is less noticeable 

 today than it was frona five to ten years ago. The pro- 

 gressive grower and nurseryman has learned by experi- 

 ence. Such statements are apt to mislead to utter 

 neglect of herbaceous plantations. It is true there are 

 a few species of flowering garden perennials making 

 extraordinary efforts for an admirable showing when 

 left in a semi-wild state. Polygonum, the knot-weed 

 and Bocconia, the plume-poppy, may be mentioned as 

 instanc3S. This, however, being exceptional the fact re- 

 mains that without proper care and previous preparation 

 of the ground disappointments are inevitable. Strict 

 adherence to this rule has been chiefly responsible for 

 the wonderful advance of herbaceous flower gardens and 

 the present high standard of their contents. Funkias, 

 as popular inhabitants of those gardens offer many and 

 various opportunities for effective employment. The 

 marked ornamentality of the foliage of a number of 

 species is an attractive feature itself. The large-leaved 

 bluish green sorts, such as Funkia Sieboldii, For- 

 tune!, Fortunei glauca and robusta we use in shore 

 plantings around ponds and along creeks. They pos- 

 sess the natural characteristics of certain low land and 

 swamp vegetations. In southern latitudes and through- 

 out the Middle Atlantic States, most plantain lilies pre- 

 fer a half shady position. Taking advantage thereof wo 

 may place clumps under tall-trunked trees in the thinly 

 wooded section of home grounds and natural park land- 

 scapes. Associated together in numbers from 3 to 5, in 

 an informal way, they aid in making the scenery richer 

 and our walks through this section more enjoyable. 

 Our picture of Funkia lanceolata albo-marginata repre- 

 sents the idea of arrangement and its effect. 



The very appearance of some species of plantain lilies 

 suggests tlieir use for bordering purposes. Noteworthy 



Funkia lanceolat.v 



among tliem is the low-growing Funkia Japonica aureo- 

 variegata conspicuous by its strikingly handsome foliage; 

 also Funkia undulata media picta and the small narrow 

 leaved white flowering Funlda alba minor. The possi- 

 bility of similar employment of stronger growing kinds 

 i8 shown by the cuts of Funkia ccerulea and the original 

 Funkia lanceolata. Both are plain green-leaved sorts, 

 bearing lavender blue flowers during August and Sep- 

 tember. 



In stateliness and beautiful foliage none eclipses 

 Funkia ovata albo-marginata, identical with Funkia 

 robusta elegans variegata. It is a species calling for a 

 favorable position where it can be fully admired as a 

 single plant. In conclusion I wish to call attention to 

 Funkia subcordata grandiflora. I have been using it as 

 specimen-plant on composite herbaceous borders, and 

 also, in limited numbers naturalized under tall tree- 

 growth. Going further, I do not hesitate recommend- 

 jng this old-time species for high class ornamental work 

 in any modern formal garden, providing a half-shady 

 place can be given. Exposed to the full midday sun the 

 foliage suffers and the pure white deliciously fragrant 

 flowers are apt to get burned during the hot spells of 

 .Viigust. Planted on a border running along the north 

 front of a residence. Funkia subcordata grandiflora 

 proves instrumental in solving the always more or less 

 difficult problem of establishing an attractive perma- 

 nent gi-owth in a shady situation. 



Distinguished by a remarkable longevity and ex- 

 traordinary hardiness plantain lilies do fairly well when 

 left in a semi-wild state. To grow them to perfection, 

 tliat is, to develop and enjoy their full beauty, requires 

 deeply dug and well enriched ground, besides ample 

 space for free gi'owth. Propagating can be easily done 

 by divisions during early spring or in fall. To obtain 

 hirge ornamental specimens, plants must be left undis- 

 turbed for a number of years. 



Funkia ovata 



Riverton, N. J. 



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