DAHLIA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



DAHLIA. 



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flowers are smaller than those of other 

 kinds, and vary from pure white to deep 



gjrple. It is hardier than any other 

 ahlia, and plants left in the ground are 

 generally uninjured throughout the win- 

 ter. Its dwarf growth adapts it for posi- 

 tions unsuitable for the latter kinds, and 

 it has a good effect in masses, its colour 

 being unlike that of any other Dahlia. It 

 is known also as D. Mercki, repens, and 

 Decaisneana. 



D. JUAREZI. Now well known. It is 

 the more desirable because of its easy 

 culture, as it requires no different treat- 

 ment from ordinary Dahlias. It is not 

 quite double, but is very fine in form and 

 brilliant in colour, though it flowers 

 somewhat sparsely. 



D. VARIABILIS. Supposed parent of 

 all the garden varieties. The wild plant 

 has scarlet flowers like coccinea, and is of 

 similar growth. A packet of seed, how- 



Cactus Dahlia "Juarezi." 



D. GRACILIS. A distinct and graceful 

 plant, with slender stems and finely 

 divided foliage, which gives it a freer 

 habit than any other Dahlia. The bright- 

 scarlet flowers are of the ordinary size. 



D. IMPERIALIS. Large and graceful 

 much-divided leaves, and flowers of a 

 beautiful French white, thrown up in a 

 great cone-like mass. It rarely flowers in 

 the open air, but it is of service both in 

 the flower garden and conservatory. 

 Planted in rich soil, and placed in a warm, 

 sheltered position in the open air at the 

 end of May, it grows well in summer. 



ever, will yield plants with flowers of all 

 shades, from crimson to white and yellow. 



To get a good result it is essential to 

 have rich, deep, and moist soil, and to 

 put out strong plants as early as may 

 be safe, so as to secure a good growth 

 or autumn bloom. If planted in May 

 and frost is feared, protect the young 

 plants at night by turning a garden 

 pot over them. Pot roots of the 

 previous year, and the more youthful 

 portions of the old stools are particu- 



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