Encyclopaedia of Gardening 3 



remarkable for their handsome foliage. They may be raised from 

 seed in a warm greenhouse or frame in spring, and should be planted 

 out in rich soil. Subsequently they may be increased by division. 



Acer, Maple (a-cer, from acer, sharp. Ord. Sapindaceae). An im- 

 portant genus of trees, embracing the Common, Silver, Japanese, 

 Norway, and Scarlet Maples, as well as the Sycamore. There is 

 also the variegated Negundo, which, although not quite hardy, 

 survives the winter in most districts if it has partial shelter. The 

 following species may be named: Campestre, the Common Maple, 

 with small divided leaves; there are varieties with gold and silver 

 margins; dasycarpum, the Silver Maple; Japonicum, several 

 varieties ; Negundo variegata, with green and white foliage, a small 

 tree; palmatum, the Japanese Maple, many varieties; platanoides, 

 the Norway Maple, many varieties; Pseudo-platanus, the Sycamore, 

 many varieties; and rubrum, the Scarlet Maple, with heart-shaped 

 leaves. The varieties of the Japanese Maple, and Negundo varie- 

 gata, are well adapted for small gardens, as they give welcome 

 colour and beauty of form in places not exposed to cold winds or 

 hard frosts in spring. The Sycamore is perfectly hardy, and being 

 cheap, as well as a rapid grower, is very useful, but it should not be 

 planted too largely, as it is liable to be disfigured by blotches. 

 Propagated by layers or seeds, the choicer varieties also by grafts 

 and buds, but the small planter will buy young trees from nursery- 

 men. A stiff, damp soil is not suitable for the majority, which 

 prefer well-drained loam, but the Scarlet Maple will thrive in wet 

 soil. 



Achillea, Milfoil (achille-a, from Achilles, who used it medicinally. 

 Ord. Compositae). Pretty hardy plants, mostly suitable for 

 borders, but Clavennae, which has hoary leaves, and bears white 

 flowers in spring; and tomentosa, which has woolly leaves and 

 produces yellow flowers in summer, are good for the rockery also, 

 as they only grow from 6 to 9 ins. high. Of the taller onesi Milli- 

 folium roseum, the red Milfoil, 2 ft. high, a summer bloomer; and 

 Ptarmica, The Pearl, 2 ft. high, with double white flowers, are the 

 best known. Propagated by division of the roots in autumn or 

 spring, or by seeds if preferred. They are not at all particular as 

 to soil, and will thrive in stiff, 

 cool ground. Sericea, i ft., 

 May, white, is pretty. 



Achimenes (achime-nes, from 

 cheimaino, sensitiveness to cold. 

 Ord. Gesneraceae) .See Bulbs. Section of pan with Achimenes. 



Acis. See Bulbs. ( See ako Bulbs -> 



Aconite, Winter (Eranthis hyemalis). See Bulbs. 



Aconitum, Monkshood, Wolf's-bane (aconi-tum, grown near 

 Acona. Ord. Ranunculaceae) . The common Monkshood, Aconi- 

 tum Napellus, is one of the most poisonous, yet most handsome, of 

 hardy plants. The root has been mistaken for Horseradish, and 

 eaten, with highly unpleasant results. Some people exclude it 

 from their gardens on account of its poisonous properties, but that 



