Acanthus. 



47 



in the year it may be had fit for use by the first of 

 June ; but plants a year old or so, stiff, strong, and well 

 hardened off for planting out at the end of May, are 

 the best. It would be desirable to raise an annual 

 stock, as it is almost as useful for room-decoration as 

 for the garden. Native of New Holland. 



ACANTHUS. 



THESE stout and hardy herbaceous plants are of the 

 greatest importance in the subtropical garden or the 

 pleasure-ground, their effect being very good when they 

 are well established. They thrive in almost any soil, 

 but attain their greatest luxuriance and beauty in deep 

 warm ones. The best uses for these species are as iso- 

 lated tufts in the grass, in the mixed border, or in 

 picturesque groups with other hardy subjects. In all 

 cases they should be placed in positions where they are 

 not likely to be disturbed, as their beauty is not seen 

 until they are well established. All are easily propa- 

 gated by division. Few herbaceous genera may be made 

 more useful than this. 



^Acanthus hirsutus. This uncommon species has 

 a narrow spiny leaf, more in the way of Morina longi- 

 folia than the ordinary Acanthuses, and is dark green in 

 hue. The leaves grow to a length of about 15 ins. or 

 1 6 ins. in ordinary soil. Being distinct, it may be worth 

 growing, though in point of character or importance it 

 is inferior to the larger kinds. South of Europe. 



*Aeanthus latifolius. The leaves of this are bold 

 and noble in outline, and the plant has a tendency, rare 



