68 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



perennials grow in ordinary soil, and are propagated by division in 

 spring. 



Centranthus, Valerian (centran-thus, from kentvon, a spur, and 

 anthos, a flower, in allusion to the spur at the base. Ord. Valeri- 

 aneae). The Valerians are bright and free -blooming plants. 

 Macrosiphon, red; and albus, its white variety, are two good hardy 

 annuals, which grow about 2 ft. high and bloom in summer. Ruber 

 (Valeriana rubra) is the common red Valerian, a hardy perennial 

 often naturalised on chalky cuttings in Great Britain. It increases 

 itself by self-sown seeds, and must be kept in hand, or it will spread 

 too much. There is a white variety. Both will establish them- 

 selves on walls if a few seeds are dropped into crevices. 



Centropogon (centropo-gon, from kentron, a spur, and pogon, a 

 beard, in allusion to the fringe round the stigma. Ord. Campanu- 

 laceae). The one member widely grown is Lucyanus, a hybrid 

 growing 2 ft. high and bearing rosy flowers in autumn. It may be 

 grown in a warm greenhouse in equal parts of loam and peat, and 

 propagated by cuttings of the young shoots in bottom heat under a 

 bell-glass, using sandy soil. 



Cephalaria (cephala-ria. Ord. Dipsaceae). An unimportant 

 genus, except for the one species alpina (Scabiosa alpina), which 

 grows about 5 ft. high, and produces yellow flowers in summer. 

 It will grow almost anywhere, and may be propagated by seed. 



Cerastium (ceras-tium, from keras, a horn, referring to the shape 

 of the seed vessel. Ord. Caryophylleae) . The Mouse-ear Chick- 

 weed is useful as a carpeter, and may be grown on the rockery where 

 there is room for it to spread without encroaching on more delicate 

 plants. It will thrive in almost any soil, and seeds freely, springing 

 up in all directions. The two species Biebersteinii and tomentosum 

 are much alike, and both may be increased by cuttings or division 

 in spring where a good many plants are wanted ; or the self-sown 

 seedlings may be transplanted. They have white flowers as well 

 as silvery leaves. They may be sown on walls, and are useful as 

 edgings. 



Cerasus, Cherry (cer-asus, from the town of that name in Asia. 

 Ord. Rosaceae). The genus Cerasus is now put under Prunus by 

 botanists, but nurserymen and gardeners grow certain species 

 under the old generic name, notably avium (dulcis or domestica), 

 the wild Gean; Cerasus, the common Cherry; Laurocerasus, the 

 common Laurel; lusitanicus, the Portugal Laurel; Padus, the Bird 

 Cherry; Pseudo-cerasus ; and serrulata. There are several good 

 varieties of each. Multiplex, double; pendula, weeping; and 

 laciniata, cut-leaved, are varieties of avium. Rhexii flore pleno is 

 a good ornamental variety of Cerasus. Argentea is a nice variety 

 of the Bird Cherry. Watereri, a double form, represents Pseudo- 

 cerasus, and may be grown in large pots to be gently forced in 

 winter. The others may be grown in the shrubbery, where they 

 may be planted in autumn, preferably in light, well-drained soil. 

 The special varieties are propagated by budding and grafting. For 

 fruiting Cherries, see Fruit. 



