ZELKOWA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



ZINNIA. 



875 



occasionally succeed out-of-doors. Gradu- 

 ally harden off the plants before they have 

 made more than three or four little leaves, 

 keeping them in a cool frame near the 

 glass, so as to keep them sturdy, finally 

 exposing them by taking off the lights. 

 This method is perhaps the more desirable 

 in the case of the variegated Maize, which 

 does not grow so vigorously as the green 

 kinds. In no case should the plants be 

 drawn up long in heat, for if they are 

 they will not thrive so well. The first 

 few leaves of the variegated kind are 

 green, but soon begin to manifest the 

 striping. The plants should be planted 

 out about the middle of May. 



ZELKOWA ( Water Elm}. Elm-like 

 summer-leafing trees, distinct in form. 

 Several kinds are in cultivation, acumi?iata 

 of Japan, crenata of the Caucasus (Syn., 

 Planera Richardi). Verschaffelti of East- 

 ern Asia, and aquatica of N. America. 

 In Britain these trees take their place 

 among the trees of a secondary nature, 

 not being very remarkable for growth or 

 flower, though the form of one kind 

 (crenata) is distinct and good. Syn., 

 Planera. 



ZENOBIA. Z. speciosa is one of the 

 most beautiful shrubs in the Heath family, 

 about a yard high, with small roundish 

 leaves of a pale green. In the variety 

 pulverulenta, the leaves are almost white, 

 covered with a mealy glaucescence ; 

 flowers, white and wax-like in form, re- 

 sembling those of Lily of the Valley, come 

 in summer in beautiful loose drooping 

 clusters. A well-flowered specimen is 

 most charming, and lasts for some weeks 

 in beauty, thriving in a peaty soil or a 

 sandy loam. It comes from the South- 

 ern United States ; and is therefore 

 not absolutely hardy. In nurseries it 

 is known as Andromeda cassiniasfolia 

 and A. speciosa, and its variety Z. pulveru- 

 lenta as A. dealbata and A. pulverulenta. 



ZEPHYRANTHES (Zephyr-flower). 

 This beautiful flower has been termed the 

 Crocus of America. There are about 

 fourteen species, low-growing bulbous 

 plants, with grassy leaves, which appear 

 in spring with or before the Crocus-like 

 flowers, which are white or rosy-pink, 

 large and handsome. Zephyranthes re- 

 quire rest during winter, and at that 

 season are best kept dry. In spring they 

 should be planted out in the full sun in 

 sandy soil. They do well in the green- 

 house, four or six being planted in a pot. 

 Offsets. The valuable species are : 



Z. Atamasco (Atamasco Lily}. This 

 handsome plant is a native of N. America, 

 where it is a conspicuous ornament of 



damp places in woods and fields. Its 

 glossy leaves appear at the same time 

 as the blossoms, and slightly exceed them 

 in height. The white flowers are striped 

 with rose, are about 3 in. long, and borne 

 singly upon a scape 6 in. high. It flowers 

 from May to July, grows well in the 

 open border, and increases rapidly by 

 offsets, which should be removed and 

 divided in the spring of every third or 

 fourth year. Z. Candida is similar, but 

 less hardy. 



Z. carinata. This lovely plant has 

 narrow leaves, and its flower-stem, which 

 is about 6 in. high, bears a delicate rosy 

 flower, 2 or 3 in. long. It blossoms freely 

 in the open border if kept dry in winter, 

 and should be grown in light sandy loam. 

 S. America. Z. rosea, a beautifu species, 

 with flowers of a bright rose, is a native 

 of the mountains of Cuba. 



Z. tubispatha. A handsome plant, 

 bearing a white, slightly fragrant flower, 

 2 or 3 in. long. It is a native of Antigua, 

 and of the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. 

 Though properly a stove plant, it will 

 thrive and flower well in mild localities, 

 if well protected in winter. A pretty 

 pink hybrid between this species and Z. 

 carinata is sometimes met with under the 

 name of Z. Spofforthiana. Z. Treatiae, 

 a new species resembling Z. Atamasco, 

 is too rare for us yet to speak of its 

 culture. 



ZIETENIA. Z. lav andula folia is a 

 dwarf, creeping, half-shrubby perennial of 

 a grayish hue, 6 to 12 in. high, with purple 

 flowers in summer, borne in whorls, 

 forming a spike about 6 in. long, with a 

 slender downy stalk. Suitable for the 

 margins of borders and the rougher parts 

 of the rock-garden, or for naturalisation in 

 ordinary soil. Division. Caucasus. 



ZINNIA. Half-hardy annual plants of 

 splendid colour and thriving best in our 

 country on good warm soils. They are 

 among the most effective of summer- 

 blooming plants, and they flower well until 

 autumn. Their blooms are not easily 

 injured by inclement weather, but retain 

 all their freshness and gay colouring at a 

 time when many bright flowers present but 

 a sorry appearance. In mixed borders, 

 and in beds among sub-tropical plants, 

 well-grown Zinnias are always attractive, 

 but require a deep loamy soil and a 

 warm open situation. Seed should be 

 sown in gentle warmth. Nothing is 

 gained by sowing before the middle or 

 end of March, as, if the young plants have 

 to stand for a considerable time before 

 being planted, they are apt to become 

 root-bound and stinted for nutriment, and 



