OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 307 



reasons for mentioning it are that it is convenient to do so 

 when the typical form is under notice, and that it is fre- 

 quently spoken of as hardy. Subjects needing well selected 

 positions, protection, and a mild winter in order to keep them 

 alive from autumn to spring, can in no sense be considered 

 hardy, even though they may be planted out of doors. 

 Flowering period, August to October. 



Yucca Gloriosa. 



GLORIOUS YUCCA, ADAM'S NEEDLE; Nat. Ord. LILIACEJE. 

 A HARDY evergreen shrub which has long been grown in 

 England, but for all that is not often met with in private 

 gardens. It is a native of South America, and was brought to 

 our shores in 1596. The genus is remarkable for not flowering 

 constantly in our climate, and also for slow growth; fortunately, 

 both these drawbacks, if one may term them such, are counter- 

 balanced by the handsome foliage of the various species, mostly 

 of an evergreen and very durable nature, and also by the bold 

 and symmetrical arrangement of the same. This Yucca flowers 

 in the autumn, but it may be considered more especially a 

 foliage subject, as the bloom is insignificant compared with 

 the leaves and is not produced more than once in four years 

 as a rule. The leaves assume their richest hues and become 

 thoroughly matured about the end of the year; and when the 

 ground is covered with a thick coat of snow, their rigid forms 

 are amongst the very few of any note that can be seen. In any 

 garden, no matter how large or how small, a Yucca imparts a 

 style or character to it which scarcely any other subject can 

 give. It may not be so easy to explain this, but the fact is 

 recognised by the most casual observer at first sight. If I say 

 the effect is tropical, noble, rich, and sometimes graceful, a 

 partial idea of its ornamental qualities may be conveyed; but 

 to know its value and enjoy it, it should be grown. The species 

 under consideration has many forms, some differing rather widely 

 from the type, so much so that these varieties are honoured with 

 specific names. First may be given a brief description of the 

 parent form. 



It grows from 3ft. to 6ft. high, according to the more or less 

 favourable conditions. These dimensions apply to blooming 

 specimens ; but shrubs, three to six years old, if they have never 

 bloomed, may not exceed 1ft. to 2ft. in height, and about the 

 same in diameter. The flowers, as may be gathered from the 

 order to which the genus belongs, are lily-like, or bell-shaped; 

 they are of a greenish white colour, arranged in lax clusters on 

 stoutish stalks. The leaves are 12in. to 2ft. long, Sin. or more 



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