178 Subtropical Gardening. 



*THE RHUBARBS. 



The Rhubarbs, from their vigour- and picturesqueness, 

 are well worthy of cultivation among hardy, fine-leaved 

 plants. They are so hardy that they may be planted in 

 any soil, and afterwards left to take care of themselves. 

 Their fine leaves and bold habit make them valuable orna- 

 ments for the margins of shrubberies (the best way is to 

 plant one singly a few feet from the margin of the shrub- 

 bery, so that when they die down in autumn no blank may 

 be seen), and for semi- wild places where a very free and 

 luxuriant type of vegetation is desired. Though not par- 

 ticular as to soil, they enjoy it when it is deep and rich, 

 and the more it is made so the better they will grow. 



Rheum Emodi is undoubtedly the handsomest 

 and most distinct of the genus in cultivation. The 

 figure conveys an accurate idea of the outline of its 

 leaves, and of its aspect when in flower. The large 

 leaves have their veins red, which distinguishes it from 

 any other species. It has a large and deep-feeding root, 

 black on the outside, and yellow within. The flowers 

 are very small, of a yellowish white. It comes up some- 

 what later than the common kinds, and is not by any 

 means common, though it may be found in botanic gar- 

 dens and nurseries where collections of herbaceous plants 

 are formed. It may, like all the species, be increased by 

 division, but a young plant should not be disturbed for 

 several years after being planted. It is a native of Nepaul. 



The palmated rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, is immedi- 

 ately distinguished from its cultivated fellows by its leaves 



