TROP^EOLUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



TROP/EOLUM. 



and Newry Giant are fine yellow varie- 

 ties, the latter especially tall and vigorous ; 

 while Yellow Globe and Lemon Queen 

 bear soft pale yellow flowers, the last being 

 considerably the taller of the two. 



TROPJEOLUM (Nasturtium}. These 

 are plants of the mountain region from 

 New Granada to Chili, seldom descending 

 into the plains, and, therefore, not requir- 

 ing great heat. This indeed is against 

 them, but, on the other hand, the first 

 frost cuts most of them to the ground. 

 They love a half-shaded situation in the 

 open air during summer. There are 

 annual and perennial species, and the 

 perennials may be divided into groups, 

 with fibrous and with tuberous roots. The 

 rapid growth of the annuals T. majus and 

 71 minus is proverbial, and their hardiness 

 in a temperature above freezing-point, as 

 well as their indifference to soil, makes 

 them useful where anything unsightly is 

 to be hidden. The following are the most 

 fitted for the open air : 



T. Aduncum (Canary Creeper). The fav- 

 ourite among Tropseolums, and almost un- 

 rivalled for elegance among yellow flowers. 

 Its precise home is uncertain. It occurs all 

 over the west of S. America, from Mexico to 

 Chili, but it has doubtless spread from the 

 Andes. It thrives in sun or shade, but is best 

 in a north aspect, festooning trellises, arbours, 

 shrubs, etc., and rarely fails even in town 

 gardens. Seeds should be sown in April in 

 the open ground in sandy loam. Syns. , T. 

 peregrinum and T. canariense. 



T. Heyneanum. A beautiful perennial 

 climber with flowers akin to those of the 

 common Canary Creeper but rather smaller 

 and of an orange colour ; they are distinct also 

 in shape, the lower petals being nearly as large 

 as the upper, with a straight spur instead of a 

 hooked claw. Peru. Easily raised from im- 

 ported seed. 



T. Leichtlini. A fine hardy cross between 

 Ts. edule and polyphylluin two of the most 

 robust kinds of which it has inherited all the 

 hardiness and vigour. It grows from rounded 

 tubers like small potatoes, with trailing stems 

 covered with deeply-cut greyish-green leaves. 

 The flowers* are of a deep orange-yellow, 

 finely marked with reddish spots and streaks, 

 appearing with fine effect from the end of 

 May. The plant is of free growth in warm, 

 well-drained soil, where it increases rapidly. 

 It is best seen trailing over a bank or low wall, 

 where it can grow undisturbed and not be 

 missed while at rest from July onwards. It is 

 hardy in most gardens with a light covering of 

 leaves or ashes. 



T. Lobbianum. This fine annual climber is 

 easily known from the old T. majus by its 

 hairy foliage, though the flowers are in similar 

 shades of yellow, scarlet, and crimson. The 

 plant will clothe unsightly spots, or provide 

 temporary shelter during summer, seeds being 



sown about the middle of April. The only 

 care needed is guiding the leading shoots in 

 the desired direction. The plant has a pleas- 

 ing effect sown here and there amongst shrubs 

 in the back of a border. As the plants grow,, 

 they attach themselves to the bushes, and 

 climbing over or through them, throw out 

 wreaths of lovely blossoms which retain their 

 beauty until frost. Temporary floral fences 

 may also be made with this plant, using a row 

 of Pea stakes as a support. It will also assume 

 a pyramidal form if allowed to overrun the 

 dead tops of young Fir trees. In short, there 

 is no end to the uses to which it may be put. 



T. majus (Large Indian Cress or Nastur- 

 tium) differs from T. minus in being larger, 

 and from T. Lobbianum in the absence of 

 hairiness. There are many beautiful varieties 



Tropseolum polyphyllum. 



of it, mostly hybrids. The climbing sorts are 

 put to such uses as those just described, 

 though perhaps the most important form of 

 the Nasturtium is the dwarf or Tom Thumb 

 strain. Few annuals come into flower more 

 quickly and few bloom longer or more con- 

 stantly. In poor soil the compactum forms 

 bloom best. Their rich colours are superb in 

 masses, and they are never without flowers 

 from first to last. Seeds or cuttings put in 

 about the middle of September. A few dozen 

 plants in store pots will yield a large number 

 of cuttings in spring, and these make the best 

 plants. The other Tom Thumb kinds may be 

 sown in the open ground in spring, but the 

 compactum race grows so freely, if raised in 

 this manner, that it is best to sow under glass 

 and plant out later ; so treated, the plants 

 bloom earlier, and are more compact. All 

 who love rich masses of colour will find these 

 dwarf Nasturtiums worth cultivating in some 

 of the many fine sorts now obtainable. 



T. pentaphy Hum. A rapid growing dim ber, 



