IRISH GARDENING. 



137 



Phygelius caponsis 



This strikingly beautifui autumn flowering 

 plant is not too often iiu^t ^\•ith in gardens. 

 It is a S. African plant, and Avhen grown in 

 the open very often beha\es like a herbaceous 

 plant, dying back to the giound level annually. 

 Strong 3^oung shoots are i)roduced in spring 

 which, given a favourable summer, bear large 

 panicles of handsome tubular scarlet flowers. 

 If grown on a sunny wall the shrubby character 

 is better maintained, the flowers are produced 

 earlire. In mild 

 districts it forms 

 a bush in the open, 

 and is well worth 

 trying in many 

 parts of Ireland. 



In favourabk' 

 seasons seed is 

 produced and 

 germinates easily 

 in slight heat, 

 otherwise cuttings 

 strike readily 

 during spring and 

 early summer. 



Pentstemons, 



There is no more 

 interesting or 

 beautiful set of 

 plants than the 

 Pentstemons nor 

 one which better 

 mei-its the atten- 

 tion of all who de- 

 sire beautiful gar- 

 dens in autumn. 



Anu:)ng the species there are many beautiful 

 plants, but it is the pojxilar garden varieties 

 that are chiefly responsil)le for the autumn 

 display. There is a considerable range of 

 coloui's now to choose from, from deepest 

 blood red to softest ])ink and white, as well as 

 several purple shades which give variety and 

 associate weil Vvith herbaceous plants. All the 

 modern garden varieties are simihir in habit 

 though varying a little in height and vigoni-. 

 but wliat is known as the " Gem " set are rallici' 

 distinct in their free branching habit, and 

 smaMer flowers which, however, are borne so 

 profusely that lack of size is more than com- 

 ])cnsated for, and not a few })eople ])refer them 

 to the larger-flowered varieties. For the 

 li('rl)ace()us l)order Pentstemons are exti'cnicly 

 useful. ])t()viding fine masses of colour in the 



autumn, and looking extremely well among the 

 blues and purples of the Michaelmas Daisies. 

 For beds they are also well adapted, the only 

 difficulty in this respect being that where bulbs 

 or other spring flowering plants are used there 

 is difficulty in getting out the Pentstemons 

 early enough. To do really well Pentstemons 

 should be planted out in April in rich, cool soil, 

 and so it is best to arrange for the necessary 

 beds or borders to be vacant at this time, or 

 otherwise make provision for growing on the 

 plants in pots or reserve ground until they can 

 be got out ; best 

 results, however, 

 are got by plant- 

 ing in flowering 

 quarters at once. 



Some varieties, 

 notably Crimson 

 Gem. are very 

 hardy, and will 

 continue to do well 

 in the same bed 

 for several years, 

 requiring only a 

 top-dressing of soil 

 and a Uttle arti- 

 ficial manure in 

 spring. Now is a 

 good time to })ut 

 in cuttings for 

 next season. The 

 ])lants are now 

 at the full vigour 

 of their growth, 

 and on the lower 

 portion of the 

 flowering shoots 

 numerous short 

 side shoots are 

 now available for 

 cuttings. Shoots with three or four joints are very 

 suitable, and rc(|uire only the lower }iair of leaves 

 and sometimes the next pair removed : cut clean 

 across below the lowest pair of leaves and the 

 cutting is ready for insertion. Boxes three inches 

 deep with sufficient rough material placed in the 

 l)o(tom to ensure drainage are very suitable, the 

 compost being composed of sandy soil and leaf- 

 mould. The cuttings may also be dibbled into 

 a shallow, cold frame, or they may be rooted 

 under bell-glasses or handlights ])laced on beds 

 of light soil. It is cs.sential that the position in 

 w hich the cuttings are to be struck should be 

 shady, and it is better that it should be naturally 

 shady than to attempt to make a sunny position 

 coo! by artificial means. The cuttings must be 

 k(|)t close and cool. When they have been put 

 in one good watering should suffice. 



GIONIFOIiMIS 



osti'ovoi' Hnusi 



