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GLENNYS HANDBOOK 



DICTAMNUS. Fkaxinella. [Rutace^.] Showy hardy 

 perennials, with leaves something like those of an ash tree : 

 hence the na.me fraa-inella, or little fraxinus, the latter being 

 the name of the ash. They grow in common garden soil, 

 preferring loam. Propagated slowly by dividing the roots, 

 or more readily by seeds, which should be sown as soon as 

 ripe in open beds. 



DICTYMIA. [Polypodiaceae.] Greenhouse evergreen 

 ferns. Soil, peat, loam, and sand. Increased by division. 

 D. attenuata, one foot high, is the best. 



DIDISCUS. [Umbelliferae.] A curious and rather pretty 

 half-hardy annual. It should be sown in March in a warm 

 frame. Some of the plants may be grown on in frames for 

 blooming in pots in the greenhouse ; others should be hardened 

 to plant out in a warm situation out of doors in June. Rich 

 light soil. Increased by seeds. 



DIELYTRA. [Fumariaceoe.] Beautiful dwarf hardy 

 herbaceous perennials, once called Fumar'ias. They grow 

 well in any rich open soil, and increase by division. P. 

 spectabilis, the most beautiful of all, propagates readily by 

 cuttings of the young shoots in spring, managed as Dahlia 

 cuttings are, or by dividing its tuberous roots, which must not 

 be too much dried in winter. 



DIERVILLA. [Caprifoliacese.] A hardy deciduous 

 shrub. Moist peaty soil. Increased by suckers or by 

 cuttings. D. Intea. flowers yellow, in June. 



DIETES. [Iridaceae.] Handsome Iris-like plants, re- 

 quiring the protection of a frame, and growing freely in light 

 loamy soil. Increased readily by division. 



DIGITALIS. Foxglove. [Scrophulariaceae.] Hardy peren- 

 nials, with a few biennial species, mostly showy or pretty 

 plants for the borders. The common Foxglove {D. j)urpurea) 

 can hardly be esteemed as a garden flower, common as it is 

 in a thousand places ; but it is, nevertheless, a very handsome 

 plant. They are all increased readily by seeds. Sow in 

 August if the seeds are ripe, if not in April, on moderately 

 good ground, and rather thinly : thin the plants to six inches 

 apart. Those taken up, if required, may be planted elsewhere 

 six inches apart, but those not removed will be the strongest. 

 The autumn-sown ones may be removed in spring, with good 



