Plants for Special Effect 101 



LIST OF PLANTS FOR SPECIAL EFFECTS- 

 PALMS, GRASSES, TROPICAL PLANTS, &c. 



Cordylines and Dracaenas These are palm-like plants reaching 

 to a height of about 8 to 10 feet, of slow growth. They may 

 be recommended especially for the colder districts, where 

 Palms do not succeed, for lawns or shrubbery borders. The 

 long leaves form a drooping crown on an erect slom. D. 

 australis and D. indivisa differ only iu the width of the 

 leaves, the latter being much narrower, and perhaps, there- 

 fore, more graceful in form. In D. I. lineata there is a white 

 or cream line running up the centre of each leaf. D. I. 

 veitchii is similar to the type, but the base of the leaf sheath 

 and the back of the mid-rib are deep red. C. cannsefolia has 

 Canna-like leaves, and often has branches thrown out from a 

 height of one or two feet from the ground. D. draco (Dragon 

 Tree) is more tree-like than other types, and loses its sym- 

 metry and grace as it ages. But as a young specimen it is 

 extremely beautiful and effective. The family is a large one 

 and many other varieties will eventually be found useful in 

 South Africa. 



Agaves Are often very effective in planting rough ground or 

 rocks in South Africa. A. americana variegata, with yellow 

 and green stripes, is particularly good. A. sisalana, the 

 Sisel hemp, has very long leaves, gracefully curving and 

 drooping outwards. These do well on any soil. 



Aloes A good many of the indigenous species are well worth a 

 place in rock gardens, but seem quite misplaced in shrubbery 

 or borders. (See Rock Plants.) The same remarks apply to 

 varieties of Cactus. 



Colocasia (The Common Elephant's Ear) Is suitable for groups 

 in shady and moist corners. 



Cyathea dregii (The Common Natal Tree Fern) Most handsome 

 for outdoor planting, and very hardy. 



Cycas revoluta and C. circinalis make beautiful specimen plants 

 for low borders and lawns in the warm or Coast districts 

 They are slow in growth, but very attractive even when quite 

 small. 



Encephalartos (a native Cycad), is more hardy and will stand 

 an elevation of 3,000 feet or even more. As it ages a sturdy 

 stem is formed, and the " fronds " droop gracefully outwards 

 from the crown. Of slow growth. 



Strelitzia, augusta will take the place of Bananas and other Musas 

 in the colder districts, where the latter are frost killed in 

 Winter. 15 feet. S. degina is too small as specimen for much 

 foliage effect, and is generally grown for its curious crimson 

 flower spathe. 3 feet. 



