12 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Achillea — continued. 

 A. Herba-rota (Uei-ba-rota).» fl.-heads white, in lax corymbs, on 



slcmler stems. JIav. (. lanceolate, serrated. A. 6in. France, 1640. 



When touched, this pretty little plant frives off an aCTeealilo 



aromatic perfume. To attain full beauty it requires sandy loam 



and a sunny position. 

 A. macrophylla (large-leaved), fl.-heads white. July. I. long 



and broad pinnate ; leaflets horizontal, k. 3ft. Italy, 1810. 

 A. Millefolium roseum (msy).* a.-heads lose-colomed, in small 



ovoid Leails, whiili are pinduied continuously for several months. 



I. strap-shaped ; segments very narrow, h. 1ft. to 3ft. England. 



It is well worth growing, both as a border plant, and for cutting 



purposes. 

 A. mongolica (llongolian). Jl.-hmds white. July. I. undivided. 



h. lift. Siberia, 1818. 

 A. moschata (musky).* fi.-heads white, in lax corymbs. June. 



h. 6in. I. bright green, about 2in. long, pinnatitid. Italy, 1775. 



A pretty tufted alpine. 

 A. nana (dwarf), /.-/im* white. June to August, (.pinnate; 



leaHets horizontal, h. 6in. Italy, 1759. A rockery species. 

 A. odorata (sweet-scented), fl.-heads wliite, fragrant. June to 



August. (. bipinnate. h. 6in. Spain, 1729. 

 A, pectinata (comb-leaved).* JL-heads white. June. I. bright 



green, about 2in. long, pinnatitid. Italy, 1775. A pretty tufted 



alpine. 

 A. Ptarmica flore-pleno (double sneezewort).* fi.-licmls pure 



white, freel.v landuced in terminal corymbs. All through the 



summer anil autumn. I. lanceolate, serrulate. /). 1ft. to 2ft. 



England Tliis is one of tlie most useful white border perennials 



grown, increasing very readily. When out of flower the stems 



should be cut down to the surface. 

 A. santollnoides (lavender-cottondike). fl.-heads white. July. 



I. pinnate ; leaflets transverse, h. 1ft. Spain. 

 A. serrata (serrated).* fl.-heads clear white, large, in small 



corymbose clusters, forming a somewhat spreading panicle. 



Summer. I. white, with adpressed hairs, sessile, lanceolate, 



deeply serrated, h. 151n. Switzerland, 1686. 



Fig. 13. Achillka to.me.ntosa, showing Habit and detached 

 Portion of Inflorescence. 



A. tomentosa (downy).* ft.-hcads bright yellow, in repeatedly 

 compound i-orymb-. Summer. I. woolly, bipinnatitid ; segments 

 iLuear, acute. A. Sin. to 12in. Europe. One of the best yellow- 

 tlowered species for the rock garden, having a dense habit. See 

 Fig. 13. 

 A. umbellata (umbel-flowered).* fl.-heads white, six to eight in a 

 simple uudiel. June. (. regularly lobed ; lobes obovate, entire ; 

 clothed with a dense, silvery pubescence, on which account the 

 plaTLt is cliiefly cultivated, h. 4in. to Sin. Greece. A very pretty, 

 dwarf rock plant. 

 A. Tallesiaca (Vallesian). fl.-heads white. June to August. I. 

 pinnate ; leaflets horizontal, h. 1ft. Switzerland, 1819. 

 ACHIMIiNIiS (from cleimaino, to suffer from cold ; 

 alluding to the general tenderness of the species). Includ- 

 ing Scheeria. Okd. Gesneraceai. A large genus of hand- 

 some, stove or warm greenhouse, branched, generally hairy, 

 herbaceous perennials, witli scaly, catkin-like stolons 

 underground (see Fig. 14), and sometimes from the axils 

 of the leaves. Corolla funnel-shaped ; tuije r.ither oblique, 

 gibbous behind at the base ; pedicels oue-liowered, axil- 

 lary, solitary or fasciculated, bracteated. Leaves opposite, 

 or three in a whorl, serrated. 



To be successfully cultivated, they must be started and 

 grown in stove beat till they commence flowering, when 

 tbey may be removed to tlie conservatory or greenhouse, 

 there to remain till after flowering. Batches of tubercles 

 should be started in heat from February till the end cf 

 April, so as to give a succession of blossom. Sliake each 

 variety out of the old compost and insert separately in 

 light, sandy soil ; water sparingly at first, but when active 

 they may receive more frequent supplies. When the shoots 



Aclximenes — continued, 

 are about 2in. high, the tubercles may bo transplanted 

 to the pots, pans, or baskets in which it is intended to grow 

 them, using as potting compost fibrous peat and leaf-soil 

 in equal proportions, with about a sixth part of sheep's 

 or rotten cow manure, and sufficient silver sand to make 

 the whole porous and of a whitish appearance. Thorough 

 drainage is indispensable, and a layer of the rougher soil, 

 or sphagnum, should be placed over the potsherds, to pre- 



FiG. 14. Boot of the Achimene, showing Tubercles. 



vent the loose soil stopping the drainage. Place the pans 

 as near the glass as possible, and shade from bright sun- 

 shine. Give liberal supplies of water, with occasional 

 doses of liquid manure ; and, as the shoots lengthen, they 

 may be pinched, to induce sturdy growth and a larger 

 number of flowering branches. Place neat stakes to each 

 stem, and keep well tied, arranging the stakes as sym- 

 metrically as possible, so as to ensure an even outline, but 



BOLHiUET OF VAIUOUS ACHIMKNES. 



do not allow them to be seen. Light syringing with clear 

 water, morning and evening, is benelici.al. After the plants 

 have done flowering, they should gradu.aUy have less water 

 as the foliage and stems decay ; a light airy situation 

 is needed to mature and ripen the tubers. When the 

 tops are quite deail, they may be removed, and the 

 pots stored on the sides in any warm dry corner where 



