262 Decorative Plants. I. — The Aral in. 



DECORATIVE PLANTS. I. 



THE ARALIA. 



By Edward S. Rand, Jr., Boston, Mass. 



This family, containing some thirty species, supplies us with some 

 of the most charming decorative plants. 



Some are hardy, but most require winter protection : a few are 

 herbaceous, though generally the species are trees or sub-shrubs. 



Very few are hardy in New England, but all are ornamental, and 

 a large proportion of the species do well if bedded out in the summer, 

 and housed before severe frost. 



Though many of the species are very pretty in flower and fruit, 

 it is chiefly the striking character of the foliage which recommends 

 them to cultivation, and places them in the first rank as " foliaged " 

 plants. 



Their cultivation is very simple, as they only need to be planted 

 in rich loam, and grow rapidly without further care. In the green- 

 house, attention must be given to secure good drainage, and to pre- 

 vent over-watering. 



Propagation is easHy eftected by cuttings of growing shoots, or by 

 root cuttings, both of which soon form good plants. 



Seed is also freely produced, from which it is very easy to raise 

 plants. The flowers of all the species are green or white, and are 

 followed by berries, usually black, and covered with a delicate bloom, 

 and last a long time in perfection. 



Our native species may be passed by with brief mention, for, with 

 one exception, A. spinosa, they are of little value in the garden. 



A. racemosa is the well-known " spikenard " of country people. 

 It is a tall, herbaceous plant, with branching stem. The leaves arc- 

 ovate or heart-shaped; the flowers and fruit are produced from the 

 forks of the stem. A native of rich woods, it needs deep, moist soil in 

 cultivation, and, while not a very striking plant, is not unornamental. 



A hispida and nudicaulis are known as " Wild Sarsparilla." 



