IRISH GARDENING 



133 



Gunneras. 



From many climes and from the farthest 

 corners of the earth plants are gathered to 

 decorate our gardens, but of the hardy vegeta- 

 tion which succeeds in our isles there is nothing 

 to compare with these giant Rhubarbs of South 

 America. Although often called Rhubarbs they 

 are more closely allied to such plants as the 

 Mare's Tail (Hippuris) and the Water Star Wort 

 belonging to the family Halorageae. 



The genus Gunnera, named after J. E. Gunner, 

 a Swedish botanist and bishop, includes about 

 twelve species, from tiny little plants an inch 

 or two high to giant herbs with umbrella-like 

 leaves many feet across. The smallest one. 

 usually grown in a rock garden, is Gunnera 

 dentata, a native of New Zealand ; it forms a 

 mass of creeping stems with rounded leaves 

 toothed at the edges. G. magellanica is a larger 

 plant with leaves 1| to 2 inches across; in peaty 

 soil it spreads freely by prostrate stems along 

 the surface of the ground. 



Of the giant Gunneras one was first intro- 

 duced from Chili in 1849 as G. scabra, but is 

 now known as G. chilensis. In a moist position, 

 where a bold and handsome foliage plant is 

 required, this is an extremely useful plant ; the 

 leaves, borne on reddish prickly stalks, have a 

 diameter of 4 to 6 feet, and an established 

 clump reaches 18 feet or more across. In Chili 

 the natives use the stalks in the same way as we 

 use Rhubarb, while the roots yield a black dye, 

 and are also used for tanning leather. Mr. T. 

 Smith, of Newry, sends out a larger form, 

 known as Gunnera scabra major, while, if space 

 is limited in the garden, G. scabra nana may 

 represent the genus. This variety is a miniature 

 of the type, and forms a cluster of crowns, but 

 only grows 1| to 2 feet high. 



The giant of the family is Gunnera manicata, 

 introduced from the freezing regions of South 

 Brazil. For parks or large gardens by the side 

 of a pond or lake there is no other foliage plant 

 which will give such a bold and striking effect. 

 Under good conditions and when given 

 generous treatment this Gunnera will . assume 

 gigantic proportions. At Narrow Water, in. Co. 

 Down, a specimen with 27 leaves when measured 

 gave a circumference of 122 feet, the leaves 

 being over 9 feet from the ground level, and 

 some of the individual leaves were over 8 feet 

 across. This plant used to get an annual feed 

 of a load or two of cow manure in early spring. 

 Although seen at their best when their huge 

 leaves are hanging over water, yet they will 

 grow quite well in any rich soil. Spring is the 

 best time to plant, and if large specimens are 

 desired largo holes, 6 or 8 feet square, must be 



made up with good soil and plenty of manure. 

 When the leaves die down in autumn it is safei 

 in the colder localities to tie some dry straw or 

 bracken around the crowns, and then the whole 

 may be covered by the old leaves. This will 

 ensure some protection in spring, when the 

 young leaves start to grow ; late spring frosts 

 will occasionally spoil the first leaves unless they 

 are protected by a light covering. 



When the plants become mature many crowns 

 are formed, and these may be thinned out with 

 advantage to those remaining. 



The greenish flower spikes are more curious 

 than beautiful, and unless seeds are required 

 they are often cut away as soon as they form, 

 to encourage the leaf growth. 



In a young state G. manicata has a great 

 resemblance to G. scabra, but may be recognised 

 by the leaves being rounder in outline, broader 

 at the base, and with almost whitish or light 

 green veins ; the leaves also remain green for a 

 longer time in the autumn, which is a distinct 

 advantage. 



Hints to Novices. 



By R. M. Pollock. 



Bedded out plants may be kept trim and tidy 

 by occasional picking over and removing the old 

 withered flowers and leaves. The plants should 

 be left in the beds as long as possible, so as to 

 keep the general appearance of the garden bright. 

 Of course where the same beds have to be used 

 for the spring display and for bulbs the summer 

 stuff must be removed. 



Early in the month cuttings may be taken of 

 all Geraniums, Calceolarias, &c. These can be 

 put into boxes or pots, and wintered in a cold 

 frame or greenhouse. Boxes are far the cheapest, 

 as these can be run up on the premises or may be 

 bought, and they are not easily broken like the 

 pots. Some of the popular bedding plants are 

 raised each year from seed sown in the spring ; 

 these are Lobelia, Verbena, Ageratum, &c. 

 Calceolarias are propagated by cuttings taken 

 during this month and where possible put straight 

 into a frame. As these are very liable to damp 

 off, they should be carefully watched if the 

 weather be dam]). Violas can also be propagated 

 by cuttings during this month. Take the 

 cuttings after a good day's rain, and see that they 

 are firmly dibbled in in prepared ground and well 

 watered. Some form of covering might be put 

 over them for the first fortnight or so, but once 

 rooted they will not require any shelter. Old 

 plants can also be increased by division, which 

 can also be done now and the plants cut back. 



All leaves, grass, and rubbish from the garden 

 should be collected and put in a heap, where it 

 will in time, if occasionally shaken up and 

 turned, decay and form good mould for use in 

 the garden. In small gardens, such as are 

 attached to the numerous villas now being built, 

 it is very difficult to find space for keeping this 

 rubbish, or indeed for keeping soil or manure of 



