ZANTHOXYLUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



935 



ing in a stiff sharp point. The stout-branched 

 flower-stalk is about 4 ft. long, the branches 

 erect, 12 to 20 in. long, bearing flowers with 

 long narrow petals of a shining yellowish- 

 white. If placed singly it is excellent for 

 banks and knolls, and is also suitable for the 

 boldest groups. Texas. 



Any one wishing to have a distinct collec- 

 tion of Yuccas would find the kinds mentioned 

 suitable, but there are several other species 

 more or less desirable. The dead flower-stems 

 of Yuccas make capital supports for delicate 

 creepers. 



ZANTHOXYLUM {Toothache Tree). 

 — A large family of trees and shrubs, in 

 the main too tender for this country, the 

 few hardy kinds coming mostly from China 

 and Japan, with one of minor interest from 

 North America. In appearance they are 

 unlike other shrubs, often with handsome 

 leaves cut into leaflets, and small white or 

 greenish flowers followed in some kinds 

 by ornamental fruits. The best in this 

 way is Z. piperituvi or Japan Pepper, in 

 which the glossy black berries are so 

 abundant as to be exceedingly attractive. 

 Z. planispinuin is an interesting shrub of 

 dense growth, with glossy evergreen leaves 

 and branches covered with stout com- 

 pressed spines. Z. Bimgecmiim also bears 

 evergreen leaves of a cheerful green, and 

 more finely divided than in platiispinum. 

 The finest kind, Z. ailaiithoides., a tree of 

 60 feet, is said to be one of the most beau- 

 tiful trees of Japan. Increase by seeds, 

 suckers, or root-cuttings. 



ZAPANIA {Creeping Vervain).— Z. 

 nodiflora is a pretty, spreading trailer, with 

 prostrate stems 2 or 3 ft. in length, which 

 late in summer bear small round heads 

 of Httle purplish flowers. Suitable for the 

 rougher parts of the rock-garden, for 

 borders or edgings in free warm soil. 

 Asia and America. Syn. Lippia nodiflora. 



ZAUSCHNERIA {Califomian Fuch- 

 sia). — Z. calif orfiica is a distinct and 

 bright perennial hardy in warm soils in 

 sheltered places, but in cold localities 

 requiring a little winter protection, such 

 as a covering of ashes. It grows 12 

 to 18 in. high, and yields an abundance 

 of gracefully drooping bright vermilion 

 flowers during summer and autumn. It 

 flourishes in sandy loam in the rock- 

 garden, and grows capitally on an old 

 wall. In its own land it grows under a 

 variety of conditions and is variable in 

 habit, hairiness, time of flower, size and 

 shape of leaves and flowers, and in one 

 form the flowers stand erect instead of 

 drooping. The best for British gardens 

 is an early variety with grey-green 

 foliage and flowers of intense colour. 



This often begins to bloom in July, 

 whereas the later kinds are spoiled by 

 autumn storms almost from the outset. 

 California. Division or seed. 



ZEA {Indian Corn). — Z. Mays is one 

 of the noblest of the Grasses that thrive 

 in our climate, almost indispensable to 

 our gardens, and with a fine appearance 

 either isolated or associated with other 

 fine-leaved plants. Ctizko and Caragua 

 are the largest of the green varieties, 

 and gracillinia the smallest and most 

 graceful. The variegated or Japanese 

 Maize is a handsome variety that comes 

 true from seed. It is useful for mingling 

 with bedding plants for vases ; and may 

 be grown in light, rich, warm soil in the 

 margins of beds of sub-tropical plants, 

 or in any position where its variegation 

 may be well seen. It has a habit of 

 breaking into shoots rather freely near the 

 base of the central stem, and this should 

 recommend it for planting on turf, singly 

 or in groups of three or five. The seeds 

 should be sown on a gentle hot-bed in 

 April, although they will occasionally 

 succeed out-of-doors. Gradually harden 

 off the plants before they have made many 

 leaves, keeping them in a cool frame 

 near the glass, so as to keep them sturdy, 

 finally exposing them by taking off the 

 lights. This method is perhaps the more 

 desirable in the case of the variegated 

 Maize, which does not grow so vigorously 

 as the green kinds. In no case should 

 the plants be drawn up in heat, or they 

 will not thrive so well. The first few 

 leaves of the variegated kind are green, 

 but soon begin to manifest the striping. 

 The plants should be planted out about 

 the middle of May. 



ZELKOWA {Zelkowa Tr^^).— Hand- 

 some summer-leafing trees, hardy, distinct 

 in appearance, and yielding valuable 

 timber, yet seldom planted. They grow 

 best in moist alluvial soils and are well 

 adapted for avenues and roadside plant- 

 ing. They do not appear to bear seed in 

 this country, and for this reason are 

 commonly increased by grafting on the 

 Common Elm, though such means can 

 never give the best results in growth and 

 beauty. The fine individual trees in 

 various parts of Britain show the Zelkowa 

 to be well suited to our climate, and 

 we could wish that it was more used by 

 planters, especially for wet soils, being 

 remarkably free from insects and disease. 

 There are four kinds, as follows : — 



Z. acuminata {Japanese Zelkowa). — A useful 

 and handsome tree of about 100 ft., with 

 a straight stem and a broad round top. The 

 leaves vary much in size even on the same 



