HEDYCHIUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



HEDYSARUM. 599 



latter part of the summer, and quickly 

 root if put in a shady border where 

 the soil is fairly good. It is sometimes 

 well to cut the plants down 

 to the ground after the first 

 year, as often the shoots 

 are very weak ; but this 

 severe pruning induces a 

 stronger growth later on. 

 As regards the best time 

 to plant, the spring months 

 are the most suitable ; but 

 the Ivy may be planted 

 any time if it is in a pot, 

 and during the first sum- 

 mer, if the weather is hot, 

 give plenty of water. In 

 the case of variegated sorts, 

 it is advisable to plant in 

 a poor soil, so as to bring 

 out the variegation. A 

 word should be said for 

 Tree Ivies, which make 

 fine bushes in the garden, 

 and may be associated 

 with other shrubs in beds. 

 Healthy plants make dense 

 rounded heads of foliage, 

 relieved during the bloom- 

 ing season with many 

 flowers. By far the most 

 important Ivies, however, 

 are the green-leaved forms, 

 many, various, and nearly 

 all beautiful in form. What- 

 ever kinds among these 

 we may prefer, a fuller and 

 more graceful use of the 

 Ivy in or near the flower- 

 garden and its surround- 

 ings is desirable. 



HEDYCHIUM. Tall 

 and graceful tropical plants. H. Gard- 

 nerianum, though usually grown in 

 the greenhouse, will flower out-of-doors, 

 and live through an ordinary winter 

 with a little protection. It should be 

 planted out in May, in a loose, sandy 

 loam enriched with manure. While 

 the plant is making its growth a 

 mulching should be given, and in dry 

 weather an occasional watering of liquid 

 manure. It is excellent for choice 

 groups in the sub-tropical garden, 

 in warm sheltered spots. A heap of 

 cinders or half-rotten leaves laid over 

 the crowns in winter will ensure their 

 safety ; or the roots may be lifted in 

 autumn and wintered in any dry place 

 with Dahlias and Cannas. It is in- 

 creased by dividing the roots in spring, 

 but each piece must have a young crown 

 attached. 



HEDYSARUM (French Honeysuckle). 

 Plants of the Pea order, mostly weedy, 

 only a few perennials being ornamental. 



Pyramid of large-leaved Ivy, 7 ft. high. 



H. coronarium is a showy plant, 3 or 4 

 ft. high, bearing in summer dense spikes 

 of red flowers. It grows in any ordinary 

 soil, but is not a perennial, though it 

 usually sows itself where it is established. 

 There is a white variety. Among the 

 dwarfer kinds the two following are 

 desirable : H. obscurum, a brilliant and 

 compact perennial ; 6 to 12 in. high, with 

 racemes of showy purple flowers. It is 

 suitable for the rock-garden, for borders, 

 and for naturalisation amongst vegetation 

 not more than i ft. high, chiefly on banks 

 and slopes in sandy loam, and is increased 

 by division or seed. H. Mackenzii is 

 said to be the handsomest of the genus. 

 It grows about 2 ft. high, and has long 

 racemes of from seven to thirty rather 

 large rosy-purple Pea-like flowers. It is 

 perfectly hardy in any situation, and 

 flowers in June and July. It is rather too 



