598 



HOETICULTUEE 



November 4, 1916 



Silene 



Of the garden species of sileue those of my readers 

 with a European training will recall the very hand- 

 some biennial forms Silene pendula and pendiila com- 

 pacta. Kaised from seed and grown in the same man- 

 ner as digitalis, dianthus and Canterbury bells they 

 were freely used for spring bedding. Their dense green 

 cushion-like foliage appeared nearly covered with at- 

 tractive pink or white flowers which made a beautiful 

 showing during May and June. So far I have not had 

 any opportunity to ti7 them in this country nor have 

 I seen any in cultivation. 



Of the hardy perennial kinds Silene alpestris and 

 S. Schafta, both mountain denizens of Europe, merit 

 special mention. As alpincs of low habit of growth the 

 pocket of the rockery offers ideal conditions for their 

 full effect. Oh the herbaceous border their position is 

 near the edge. Perfectly hardy, they withstand tlie 

 hot summer climate of our Middle Atlantic States in 

 full sunlight admirably well. In partial .shade I notice 

 they flower less tlian in the open. The appearance of a 

 plantation of the spring-flowering white species Silene 

 alpestris is of that modest charming gracefulness char- 

 acteristic to many alpines. Silene Schafta producing 

 bright pink blossoms, one of the few midsummer and 

 fall-flowering rock plants, is as indispensable for keep- 

 ing up the floral effect of tlie rock garden during the 

 latter part of the season as Plumbago larpentae. 



The common name of silene is C'atchfly, alluding t<i 

 a viscid exudation on stems and ealixes of some species. 



Silene alpestris. 



for instance tliose of our native Silene virginica. a ver- 

 nal representative flowering scarlet red. Silene acaulis, 

 Asterias grandiflora, Elisabethae, maritima fl. pi. and 

 vallesica are more or less capricious in our climate and 

 therefore chiefly of interest to advanced amateurs and 

 collectors. 



^Ictiiods of raising and propagation of silenes: 

 s|)ring .sowing, cuttings and division of old plants. A 

 light leaf covering is the protection for winter. 



Glenside, Fa. 



Lilium regale 



SceAxnyu/, -^cAt^c/ 



Lll.lU.M REGALE AT Mt. DeSERT Nl'liSERIES, BaR HaK1!()R, Me. 



If (Pile wt'i'c confuied to growing 

 only one lily a very wise choice would 

 be made in selecting Lilium regale. 

 .\ltlioug1i (inly a few years have 

 elapsed >iiic(' Ml. Wilson brought 

 this lily prduiinently before the pub- 

 lie it has amply demonstrated the 

 many good qualities one must look 

 for in a popular plant suitable for 

 all gardens. 



As a hardy border plant I do not 

 know of any lily better ada])ted for 

 general cultivation. In addition to 

 its usefulness for the hardy flower 

 garden I see no reason why it should 

 not be of gi'eat value for forcing jnir- 

 poses, and as an Easter lily I be- 

 lieve it has great possibilities. Its 

 beauty, easy cultivation and freedom 

 from anv sort of disease mark it 



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