44 2 AZARA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



BAMBUSA. 



especially the white variety, which, even 

 in mid-Sussex, thrives in the open air. The 

 Ledum -leaved Azalea (A. ledifolia) is a 

 hardy evergreen shrub, also from China, 

 with white flowers, large and open, like 

 A. indica. It grows from $ ft. to 6 ft. 

 high, and Loudon states that in Cornwall, 

 on Sir Charles Lemon's estate at Carclew, 

 it was planted in hedges, which flowered 

 magnificently without the slightest pro- 

 tection. 



Azalea nudiflorum. 



AZARA. Distinct and graceful Chilian 

 shrubs, nearly hardy in favourable soils. 

 On east or west walls they flower freely ; 

 -while in the southern counties, at least, 

 they do well in the open. Well-drained 

 loam and the partial shade of taller shrubs 

 suit them. A. Gillesi is probably the most 

 handsome, its toothed leaves resembling 

 in colour and texture those of the Holly, 

 with the branches tinged with red. Both 

 .in the open air and under glass it blooms 

 in late autumn and winter, the flowers 

 small, and resembling golden catkins. 

 A. celastrina has rather smaller leaves, 

 and yellow blossoms. A. integrifolia 

 has drooping spikes of fragrant yellow 

 blossoms, which form a dense bush a 

 few feet in height. A. microphylla is 

 a graceful evergreen shrub, with many 

 small flowers, succeeded in autumn by 

 small orange-red berries. The best place 

 for it is a sheltered position, not too low. 

 Among other kinds are A. dentata, a 

 quick grower ; and A. serrata, with 

 prettily serrated leaves, and umbels of 

 yellow blossoms. Order, Bixineae. 



AZOLLA. A. Caroliniana is a very 

 small and curious water-plant, which floats 

 on water quite free of soil, the tufts of 

 delicate green leaves like tiny emeralds. 

 During summer it will grow out-of-doors, 

 and then becomes bronzed, and perhaps it 

 is prettier when light green, as it is in the 

 greenhouses or window. Syn., A. rubra. 

 A. pinnata is a distinct species. 



BABIANA (Baboon-roof). Charming 



bulbs of the Iris order, from South 

 Africa, allied to Sparaxis and Tritonia, 

 but having broader foliage, often hairy 

 and plaited ; they grow from 6 to 12 in. 

 high, with spikes of sometimes sweetly 

 scented brilliant flowers ranging in 

 colour from blue to crimson-magenta. 

 The bulbs should be planted from Sep- 

 tember to January, about 4 in. deep and 

 2 to 4 in. apart, in light loamy soil 

 thoroughly drained, with a due south 

 aspect. The early plantings make foliage 

 in autumn, and require protection of mats 

 against frost. Those planted later will 

 only require a covering of Fern, which 

 should be removed as the foliage appears. 

 In wet soils surround the bulbs with sand, 

 and raise the beds above the level. Many 

 varieties are in cultivation, but in the open 

 air their growth is only worth attempting 

 in very favoured spots. 



BAMBUSA (Bamboo). There are some 

 forty or more varieties of these graceful 

 woody grasses, which are hardy in all 

 but the coldest parts of our Islands, 

 though best in sheltered places. Grace 

 and elegance are the characteristics 

 of the Bamboo, and in no species more 

 conspicuous than in the lovely group 

 of Phyllostachys, while some of the 

 Arundinarias will, if planted in suit- 

 able places, grow into dense thickets of 

 almost tropical aspect. There are few 

 gardens in which some sheltered nook, 

 backed by evergreens, might not be 

 beautified by a feathering group of 

 Phyllostachys Henonis or nigra ; while 

 in the wilderness fine effects may be 

 produced by the grand foliage of Arun- 

 dinaria Metake or the stately plumes 

 of A. Simoni. Background is the great 

 secret of getting the best effect out of 

 plants in which beauty of form is the 

 dominant feature ; and above all let the 

 Bamboos be sheltered from our biting 

 easterly and north-easterly winds, as they 

 are more deadly than frost. The softer 

 and moister westerly winds, blow they 

 never so hard, will do but little damage 

 to plants which come from such storm - 

 vexed regions as the coasts of China and 

 the islands of Japan. It is important 

 that every autumn the plants should be 

 well mulched with cow manure, and this 

 again should be covered with dead leaves. 

 To prevent the latter from blowing away 

 it is expedient to surround the plant or 

 group with wire netting. This has the 

 additional advantage of keeping out 

 rabbits and hares. The mulching pro- 

 tects the roots from frost in the winter, 

 and prevents evaporation in summer. 

 When the plants are thoroughly 



