7 4 



YUCCA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. ZANTHOXYLUM. 



flower-stems 2 to 5 feet high, the raceme 

 varying from i to 2 feet long, the flowers 

 crowded and attractive, the segments 

 white with a violet centre. Division or 

 seed. 



YUCCA ( Adam's Needle). Very dis- 

 tinct evergreen plants of fine form and 

 of the highest value where effect is 

 sought. They are hardy for the most 

 part, and all of the kinds mentioned 

 are vigorous and well suited for the 

 flower garden. The free-flowering 

 kinds, Y. filamentosa and Y. flaccida, 

 may be associated with any of our 

 nobler autumn-flowering plants. Even 

 species that do not flower so often, like 

 y. pendula and Y. gloriosa, are magni- 

 ficent if grown in the full sun and in 

 good soil. Division of the stem and 

 the rhizome. 



Y. ANGUSTIFOLIA. The smallest of all 

 the Yuccas. When in flower it is not 

 more than 3 feet high. Its long strips of 

 leaves are nearly i feet in length, but 

 are not more than inch in width. They 

 are thick and rigid, of a pale sea-green 

 colour, and fringed with white filaments. 

 The plant bears a simple raceme of white 

 flowers slightly tinged with yellow. Till 

 it is more plentiful it should be grown in 

 warm borders, in well-drained sandy loam. 

 N. America. 



Y. CANALICULATA. The leaves are 

 entire i.e., neither toothed nor filamen- 

 tose at the margin, and form a dense 

 rosette on a stem i or 2 feet high. Each 

 leaf is 20 to 24 inches long, and 2 to 

 2i inches broad at the middle, strong, 

 rigid, and deeply concave. The flowers 

 are creamy white and borne in a large 

 panicle 4 or 5 feet high. It is well suited 

 for isolation or groups, but till more 

 plentiful should be encouraged in favour- 

 able positions and on warm soils. Mexico. 



Y. FILAMENTOSA. Has apple-green 

 leaves and a much-branched panicle, 4 to 

 6 fe^t high. It varies very much when 

 raised from seed. One variety (concava) 

 has short, strong, broad leaves, which are 

 more concave than those of the type ; 

 another variety (maxima) has narrow 

 leaves which, though nearly 2 feet long, 

 are only 2^ inches broad. N. America. 



Y. FLACCIDA. A stemless species, some- 

 -what resembling the last but smaller, with 

 a downy branching panicle, 3 or 4 feet 

 high, and close rosettes of leaves 18 to 

 24 inches long, and about i inches broad 

 at the middle. They are often fringed 

 with filaments, the young ones nearly 

 erect, and the old ones so abruptly reflexed 

 in the middle as to appear almost broken. 

 N. America. 



Y. GLAUCESCENS. A free-flowering 

 kind, with a panicle 3 or 4 feet high, and 

 sea-green leaves, about 18 inches long, 

 with a few filaments on the margins. The 



flowers are greenish-yellow, when in bud 

 tinged with pink, which gives the whole 

 inflorescence a peculiarly pleasing tone. 

 It is very useful for groups, borders, isola- 

 tion, or for placing among low shrubs. 

 There is a pretty form with a broad band 

 of pale yellow down the .middle of the 

 leaf. N. America. 



Y. GLORIOSA. A large and imposing 

 Yucca of distinct habit and somewhat 

 rigid aspect. Its flower-stem is over 7 feet 

 high, much branched, and bears an 

 immense pyramidal panicle of large almost 

 white flowers. Its numerous leaves are 

 stiff and pointed. It is one of the noblest 

 plants in our gardens, suitable for almost 

 any position. In many gardens of proved 

 hardiness. N. America. 



Y. PENDULA. The leaves of this, at 

 first erect and of a sea-green colour, after- 

 wards become reflexed and deep green. 

 Old established plants standing alone on 

 the grass are pictures of grace and sym- 

 metry, from the lower leaves which sweep 

 the ground to the central ones that point 

 up as straight as a needle. There is no 

 plant more suited for grouping near 

 flower-beds or for associating with them. 

 N. America. Syn., Y. vecuvva. 



Y. TRECULEANA. This species is one of 

 the most remarkable, both from its habit 

 and from the dimensions of its leaves. 

 Like many Yuccas of its family, young 

 specimens of y. Treculeana differ con- 

 siderably from those which have reached 

 maturity. Thus, while the leaves of 

 young specimens are bent, and generally 

 inflected, those of mature specimens are 

 erect, rigid, long, and straight. The stem 

 of the plant is about 10 inches in diameter, 

 and furnished on all sides with leaves 

 about 4 feet long, straight, thick, and 

 deeply channelled, very finely toothed on 

 the edges, ending in a stiff, sharp point. 

 If placed singly it is excellent for banks 

 and knolls, and is also suitable for the 

 boldest groups. Texas. 



ZANTHORIZA APIIFOLIA (Yellow 

 Root). A curious dwarf shrub, native 

 of the eastern States of America, and so 

 modest in flower that it has never been 

 popular in gardens. In autumn the 

 leaves turn a deep rich colour, and the 

 effect is very good when grouped. It 

 will grow in any poor soil, and is usually 

 not more than 2 feet high and quite 

 hardy. 



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 N. America. 

 In appearance they are unlike other 

 shrubs, often with handsome leaves 

 cut into leaflets, and small white or 



