ii2 Subtropical Gardening. 



during the growing season. It is generally seen in a 

 small state in this country ; and though it stands the 

 open air in summer, from June till the end of September, 

 pretty well, it can never be of much importance for our 

 open-air gardening. 



*Cassia marilandica. A hardy, graceful perennial, 

 3i ft. to 5 ft. high, with pinnate leaves, resembling those 

 of the Acacia, and slender stems, bearing yellow flowers, 

 in numerous small clusters in autumn. It is somewhat 

 late in growth, but once commenced, grows with great 

 rapidity. It thrives best in a position with a south 

 aspect, and may be multiplied either by division in 

 spring, or by sowing from April to June. It should 

 always be planted in a warm, deep, sandy loam, and is 

 very suitable for borders or association in groups with the 

 finer hardy subjects, its graceful leaves qualifying it for a 

 place in a group of hardy foliage-plants. In naturally 

 warm, deep, and well-drained soils it will prove a noble 

 subject for the back parts of borders. N. America. 



*Centaurea babylonica. Among the Centaureas 

 there are a few subjects which might be used among 

 hardy fine-leaved plants, but by far the most distinct and 

 remarkable is the very silvery-leaved C. babylonica. This 

 is quite hardy, and when planted in good ground, sends 

 up strong shoots, clad with yellow flowers, to a height of 

 10 ft. or 12 ft. The bloom, which continues from July 

 to September, is not by any means so attractive as the 

 leaves; but the plant is at all times picturesque. In 

 groups, or, still better, isolated, on rough or undulating 

 parts of pleasure-grounds, it has a very fine effect. A 

 free sandy loam suits it best. Seed. Levant. 



