536 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



DELPHINIUM. 



less luxuriant. When planted out in the 

 open ground, they are best as centre plants 

 to fairly large beds, with a carpet of dwarf 

 things under them. They should not be 

 smothered up, the example of D. cor- 

 nigera (Brugmansia Knighti) in the illus- 

 tration being an instance of good effect 

 when not overcrowded. This is one of 

 the best varieties, with many large 

 handsome double flowers. It is more 

 robust and compact in growth than 

 other kinds, its leaves too of a darker 

 green. D. suaveolens, another good 

 white variety, is a profuse bloomer, its 

 flowers being perhaps larger than those 

 of D. cornigera, but single. D. san- 

 guinea has flowers of a deep orange- 

 yellow tinged with green towards the 

 base ; it does not flower quite so freely as 

 the white kinds, but should be grown for 

 its distinct character. There is also a 

 double yellow variety of D. chlorantha, 

 which is free-flowering and well worth 

 growing, being pleasing in pots. 



Some years ago, at Nuneham Park, 

 Oxford, D. suaveolens was used with good 

 effect in the flower garden during summer 

 and autumn. Mr. Stewart, the gardener, 

 used to raise plants annually by striking 

 cuttings in autumn in bottom heat. They 

 were potted as soon as rooted, and kept 

 growing gently in a warm greenhouse all 

 through the winter. About the end of 

 February they were placed in an atmo- 

 sphere of about 55°, when they were 

 encouraged to grow freely. As soon as 

 the roots appeared above the surface, 

 liquid manure and sometimes a top- 

 dressing of old cow manure were given. 

 They were kept growing on in this way 

 until the middle of May, when they were 

 2\ ft. high, after which they were gradually 

 hardened oft", and during a dull time taken 

 out-of-doors, placed in a sheltered corner, 

 and screened from the sun before being 

 planted out. Out-of-doors the plants 

 flowered freely, and gave off a sweet 

 perfume during the evenings in July and 

 August. 



Species. — D. arborea, S. America, cerato- 

 caula, tropical America, chlorantha. cornigera, 

 Mexico, discolor, Mexico, dubia. erinacea, 

 Brazil. fastuosa fei-ox, China. Jloribwida, 

 S. America, inerniis, Abyssinia. Leichhardti, 

 Australia. Metel, tropical countries, meteloides, 

 W. America, viicrocarpa. nigra, Malaya. 

 prcECOX. qtiercifolia, Mexico, sauguinea, S. 

 America. scandens, Brazil. St7-amonium, 

 common everywhere. suaveolens, Mexico. 

 trapezia, India. 



Davidia involucrata.— A remarkable 

 tree from the mountains of central China, 

 where the winters are severe, so that it 

 may prove hardy in this country. It 



belongs to the Dogwood family, and the 

 large white bracts are more showy than 

 the flowers. It is described by Dr. Henry 

 as a large tree, bearing thousands of 

 flowers, which are most peculiar. Inside 

 a pair of white bracts about the size of 

 the hand is a head of red-anthered sta- 

 mens, and a tree in full flower is a mar- 

 vellous sight, owing to the alternate 

 white and green caused by the large 

 bracts intermingling with the leaves. It 

 will be some time before its value for our 

 islands is known, and at first it should be 

 planted in open soils and in the best 

 positions among the choice trees and 

 shrubs. 



DECAISNEA.— Curious ailanthus-like 

 shrubs, natives of mountain woods, China 

 and India ; as yet little known in our 

 country but deserving of a place, as soon 

 as they can be obtained, among rare and 

 beautiful shrubs. The leaves of D. Far- 

 gcsi are pinnate and the flowers not 

 showy, but the fruits become an attractive 

 blue in autumn. Until more common, 

 cultivate in open free soil and sheltered 

 places. 



DECUMARIA. — Two species of this 

 interesting genus are in cultivation ; both 

 are hardy, and useful climbers for walls 

 and buildings. D. barbara, a native of 

 Carolina, where it is found in shady 

 places along the margins of swamps, is 

 a very elegant plant. The branches 

 cling to the wall by small rootlets, 

 as in the Ivy, and when allowed to 

 ramble at will are very grotesque, ascend- 

 ing trees or walls to a considerable 

 height, and requiring no nailing and little 

 attention. The flowers are in large 

 bunches in May and June, pure white and 

 fragrant, resembling Hydrangea. D. sinen- 

 sis is a native of Central China, and a 

 beautiful hardy species. It is a climber, 

 and was found by Dr. Henry covering 

 the cliffs of the Ichang Gorge with 

 clusters of fragrant white flowers. 



DELPHINIUM {Larkspur). — Few 

 plants contribute so much to the beauty of 

 the garden as these fine plants of the 

 Crowfoot Order. There are in cultivation 

 many species, both annual and perennial, 

 but the most important are the tall hybrid 

 perennials, of which there are many 

 varieties with a wonderful range of lovely 

 colour. They are very valuable for their 

 great variety in height, from i to lo ft. ; 

 for their greater variety in shades of 

 colour, which range from almost scarlet 

 to pure white, from the palest and most 

 chaste lavender up through every con- 

 ceivable shade of blue to deep indigo ; 

 and for the variety of size and form of 



