ii4 Subtropical Gardening. 



flower-garden ornaments, cannot be passed by in a book 

 on fine-leaved plants. It is so abundantly used as a bed- 

 ding and ribbon-plant, etc., that nothing need be said of 

 it in these respects, but it will be seen to great advan- 

 tage in single, well-grown tufts or small groups, as its 

 silvery leaves would contrast finely with many of the dark 

 green and glossy things recommended for this purpose. 

 Readily increased by seeds, or by cuttings. Should be 

 planted out in May. S. Europe. 



Chamaedorea. A family of Mexican palms, with 

 smooth, fine green stems, resembling those of the bam- 

 boos, seldom more than 15 ft. or 20 ft. high and i in. 

 or 2 ins. thick, surmounted by tufts of eight or nine pin- 

 nate or almost entire leaves, nearly 8 ft. in length. 

 Among the most ornamental species are C. elatior, C. 

 elegans, and C. Ernesti-Augusti. These elegant palms 

 may, with advantage, be placed in the open air in early 

 summer, in sunny but sheltered nooks, and taken in at 

 the end of September. Their small, elegant heads par- 

 ticularly fit them for placing here and there among 

 groups of medium-sized, fine-leaved plants, or among 

 mixed masses of dahlias, cannas, etc. 



*Cham3epeuce diacantha. A spiny-leaved biennial 

 of remarkable habit, growing in tufts of six or eight stems, 

 from 2 ft. to nearly 3 ft. high, which, in the following 

 season, are terminated by dense, spike-like clusters of 

 purplish blooms. It requires light, well-drained soil and 

 a warm position, and should seldom be watered. As the 

 stems are not produced until the second year, the radical 

 rosettes of the first year may be advantageously used in 

 forming edgings, or on the margins of groups, for which 



