438 DAVIDIA. THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. DELPHINIUM. 



towards the base ; it does not flower 

 quite so freely as the white kinds, but 

 should be grown for its distinct char- 

 acter. 



DAVIDIA INVOLUCRATA (Bract 

 Tree). A remarkable tree from the 

 mountains of C. China, where the 

 winters are severe, it has proved 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 stamens, and a tree in full 

 flower is a marvellous sight, owing to 

 the alternate white and green caused 

 by the large bracts intermingling with 

 the leaves. Its value for our islands 

 is known, and a subject of such orna- 

 ment and distinction merits the best 

 positions among the choice trees and 

 shrubs. 



DECAISNEA. Curious ailantus- 

 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. Fargesi 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, ascending 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. sinensis 

 is a native of C. China, and a beauti- 

 ful 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. 



DEINANTHE CCERULEA. An in- 

 teresting Chinese plant of herbaceous 

 habit, when happy growing to 

 2 feet in height and over. Large 

 veined cordate leaves, amongst which 



nestle the double round flowers of a 

 delicate light saxe-blue colour. It is 

 somewhat precocious to grow, and the 

 sun must not reach the leaves, 

 which are easily scorched and checked, 

 but it delights in surrounding warmth, 

 and requires moisture when growth 

 starts in the spring and throughout 

 the summer. Place it in leaf-mould, 

 peat, and good garden soil mixed 

 together, as it is a hungry plant. It is 

 worthy of care and attention. 



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 won- 

 derful range of lovely colour. They 

 are very valuable for their great variety 

 in height, from i to 10 feet ; 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 

 conceivable shade of blue to deep 

 indigo ; and for the variety of size 

 and form of their individual blooms, 

 some of which are single, some semi- 

 double, and some perfectly double, 

 and all set on spikes ranging from i 

 to 6 feet in length. About a dozen 

 species have given rise to the 

 cultivated varieties, the chief species 

 being D. grandiflorum, formosum, 

 lasiostachyum, cheilanthum, elatum, 

 and peregrinum. 



The combinations in which they can 

 be placed are numerous. They are 

 splendid objects in various positions, 

 and may be used in various ways in 

 the mixed border, in masses or groups 

 in one or several colours, or associated 

 with other flowering plants or with 

 shrubs. Perennial Larkspurs thrive 

 in almost any situation or soil ; they 

 are easily increased, and are quite 

 hardy. A deep, friable loam, enriched 

 with rotten manure, is a good soil for 

 them, but they will grow well in a hot 

 sandy soil if it be heavily manured and 

 watered. Every three or four years 

 they should be replanted and divided, 

 preferably in spring, just as they are 

 starting into growth, or in summer ; if it 

 is done in summer, cut down the plants 

 intended foi division, and let them 

 remain for a fortnight after flowering 

 until they start afresh ; then carefully 

 divide and replant them, shading and 

 watering until they are established. 



