454 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



During summer it will grow out-of-doors, 

 and then becomes bronzed, and perhaps it 

 is prettier when light green, as it is in the 

 greenhouses or window. Syn. A. rubra. 

 A. pitiiiata is a distinct species. 



BABIANA {Baboon-7-ooi). — Charming 

 bulbs of the Iris order, from South 

 Africa, allied to Sparaxis and Tritonia, 

 but having broader foliage, often hairy 

 and plaited ; they grow from 6 to 12 in. 

 high, with spikes of sometimes sweetly 

 scented brilliant flowers ranging in 

 colour from blue to crimson-magenta. 

 The bulbs should be planted from Sep- 

 tember to January, about 4 in. deep and 

 2 to 4 in. apart, in light loamy soil 

 thoroughly drained, with a due south 

 aspect. The early plantings make foliage 

 in autumn, and require protection of mats 

 against frost. Those planted later will 

 only require a covering of Fern, which 

 should be removed as the foliage appears. 

 In wet soils surround the bulbs with sand, 

 and raise the beds above the level. Many 

 varieties are in cultivation, but in the open 

 air their growth is only worth attempting 

 in very favoured spots. 



BAMBUSA(5«w(5£'f). — There are some 

 forty or more varieties of these graceful 

 woody Grasses, which are hardy in all 

 but the coldest parts of our islands, 

 though best in sheltered places. Grace 

 and elegance are the characteristics 

 of the Bamboo, and in no species more 

 conspicuous than in the lovely group 

 of Phyllostachys, while some of the 

 Arundinarias will, if planted in suit- 

 able places, grow into dense thickets of 

 almost tropical aspect. There are few 

 gardens in which some sheltered nook, 

 backed by evergreens, might not be 

 beautified by a feathering group of 

 Phyllostachys Heiiotiis or nigra ; while 

 in the wilderness fine effects may be 

 produced by the grand foliage of Arun- 

 dinaria Me take or the stately plumes 

 of A. Siinonz. Background is the great 

 secret of getting the best effect out of 

 plants in which beauty of form is the 

 dominant feature ; and above all let the 

 Bamboos be sheltered from our biting 

 easterly and north-easterly winds, as they 

 are more deadly than frost. The softer 

 and moister westerly winds, blow they 

 never so hard, will do but little damage 

 to plants which come from such storm- 

 vexed regions as the coasts of China and 

 the islands of Japan. It is important 

 that every autumn the plants should be 

 well mulched with cow manure, and this 

 again should be covered with dead leaves. 

 To prevent the latter from blowing away 



it is expedient to surround the plant or 

 group with wire netting. This has the 

 additional advantage of keeping out 

 rabbits and hares. The mulching pro- 

 tects the roots from frost in the winter^ 

 and prevents evaporation in summer. 

 When the plants are thoroughly 

 established these precautions become un- 

 necessary. 



The plants should only travel during 

 the period when they are at rest. They 

 will be received therefore during the 

 late autumn or winter. If they have 

 come from abroad, the balls of earth 

 round the roots should be thoroughly 

 soaked ; they should then be potted 

 and placed in a cool house for the 

 winter ; the leaves syringed with rain- 

 water twice a day, but the roots should 

 not be kept too wet. In this way many 

 species will keep their leaves as green 

 and fresh as if they had never been dis- 

 turbed ; but even those that lose their 

 leaves will early in February begin to 

 show little fat buds that will soon develop 

 into branchlets. Early in May begin to 

 harden off" the plants, as you would 

 Geraniums for bedding out, and, at the 

 end of May, place them in their per- 

 manent homes. 



When you take the plants out of the 

 pots be careful not to disturb the roots 

 in any way. You must not attempt to 

 comb them out as you would the roots 

 of trees, for they are as brittle as glass : 

 place them in the earth as they are, and 

 they will soon find their way about. If 

 possible the newly planted Bamboos 

 should be well watered during growth. It 

 must be remembered that Bamboos will 

 not show their true characteristics for 

 several years. But by taking the above 

 precautions much time will be saved, and 

 many disappointments avoided. For trans- 

 planting Bamboos (from one part of the 

 same garden to another, not for sending 

 them on a journey). May and June are 

 perhaps the best months, though I have 

 moved them without any ill effects during 

 the whole summer up to the end of 

 September. The worst time is from 

 November to March ; for the plants need 

 to have made some roots in their new- 

 homes before they can resist our cold 

 winters and biting winds. As regards 

 propagation, very little need be said here, 

 for I doubt whether the propagation of 

 hardy Bamboos, except by division, is 

 likely to become a successful industry ir» 

 this country. 



Propag.a.tion by division. — The 

 best moment for this operation is, in our 

 climate, the latter end of April or May. 



