TROP^OLUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



TROP^EOLUM. 



843 



good stiff loam overlying a cool moist sub- 

 soil, but, if in a dry situation, should have 

 plenty of manure partly to retain moisture. 



T. acaulis. A native of the higher 

 Himalayan Mountains, and one of the most 

 charming dwarf bog-plants, rarely exceed- 

 ing 4 to 6 in. in height, its bright yellow 

 flowers suffused with purple-brown on the 

 outside. It is hardy, has been many years 

 in cultivation, and will be found most use- 

 ful for the low or moist spots in the rock- 

 garden, growing best in a fine peaty soil. 



T. asiaticus (Orange Globe-flower), 

 which also includes chinensis, Fortunei, 

 and other forms has rich orange-yellow 

 flowers and bright orange red anthers, is 

 hardy even in the most exposed positions, 

 and differs from the European Globe- 

 flowers chiefly in its less globular flowers, 

 small finely-divided foliage and taller 

 growth. China and Japan. 



T. europasus (Mountain Globe-flower] 

 grows about 1 5 in. high, has lemon-yellow 

 flowers and is ar extremely variable plant, 

 so widely spread that almost every locality 

 has its particular form. Raised from seed 

 it also gives much variety, in habit, flowers, 

 and foliage. T. europaeus has various names 

 in gardens, such, for instance, as pumilus, 

 giganteus, dauricus, pallidus, americanus, 

 albus, aurantiacus, and napellifolius. A 

 few of these are distinct varieties, dauricus 

 being noted for its large bloom and large 

 much-divided leaves on long olive-green 

 foot-stalks. 



TROP-330LUM (Nasturtium}. These 

 are almost confined to the mountainous 

 region from New Granada to Chili, sel- 

 dom descending into the tropics, and, 

 therefore, do not require great heat. 

 This indeed is rather unfavourable to 

 them, but, on the other hand, the 

 first frost cuts most of them down to 

 the ground. They love a half-shaded 

 situation, and succeed in the open air 

 in the summer. There are annual and 

 perennial species, and the perennials may 

 be divided into two groups, one with 

 fibrous roots, and the other with tuberous 

 roots. The rapid growth of the annuals T. 

 majus and T. .minus is proverbial, and 

 their hardiness in a temperature above 

 freezing-point, as well as their indiffer- 

 ence to soil, should recommend them 

 where anything unsightly is to be hidden. 

 The following are the most fitted for the 

 open air : 



T. aduncum (Canary Creeper}. Un- 

 doubtedly the favourite among Tro- 

 paeolums, and almost unrivalled for 

 elegance among yellow flowers. Its 

 precise home is uncertain, as it occurs 

 all over the west of S. America, from 



Mexico to Chili ; but it has doubt- 

 less spread from the Andes. It thrives 

 in sun or shade, but is best in a position 

 with a north aspect, festooning trellises, 

 arbours, shrubs, etc. It rarely fails to 

 produce a profusion of pretty yellow 

 blossoms even in town gardens. Seeds 

 should be sown in April in the open 

 ground in sandy loam. Syns., T. pere- 

 grinum and T. canariense. 



T. Lobbianum. This beautiful annual 

 is of vigorous climbing growth, and easily 

 known from the old T. majus by its more 

 or less hairy foliage. The varieties of it 

 differ chiefly in the colour of the blossoms 

 which are mostly yellow, scarlet, and 

 crimson. The plant will clothe unsightly 

 spots, or provide temporary shelter during 

 summer. Seeds should be sown about 

 the middle of April. All the after-culture 

 needed is guiding the leading shoots in 

 the direction in which they are to grow. 

 T. Lobbianum has a pleasing effect when 

 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 cut down by frost. 

 Temporary floral fences may also be made 

 with this plant, all that is required being 

 a row of Pea stakes for the shoots. It 

 will also assume a pyramidal form by being 

 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 Nas- 

 turtium} differs from T. minus in being 

 larger, and from T. Lobbianum in the 

 absence of hairiness. There are many 

 beautiful varieties of it, mostly hybrids. 

 The climbing sorts are useful for the 

 same purposes as T. Lobbianum, and 

 require the same treatment, the most 

 important varieties of T. majus being the 

 dwarf or Tom Thumb strain, which in- 

 cludes many sorts. Few annuals come 

 into flower more quickly than these dwarf 

 Nasturtiums, and few bloom longer or 

 more constantly. In poor soil the com- 

 pactum forms bloom best. Their rich, 

 bold 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, these 

 making the best plants for summer. The 

 other Tom Thumb kinds may be sown in 

 the open ground in spring, but the com- 

 pactum race grows so freely, if raised in 

 this manner, that it is best to sow under 

 glass and then plant out. If sown under 



