196 Subtropical Gardening. 



*Sorghum halepense. A handsome hardy grass 

 from S. Europe, N. Africa, and Syria, with an erect stem 

 about 3^- ft. high, and broad flat leaves more than i ft. 

 long, chiefly collected round the base of the plant. It is 

 most attractive when in flower in the end of summer, the 

 inflorescence consisting of a dense panicle of purplish 

 awned flowers. Suitable for isolation, groups, or borders. 



Sparmannia africana, A beautiful flowering stove- 

 shrub from 3 ft. to 12 ft. high, very much resembling 

 a Malva in habit, with long-stalked, heart-shaped, lobed 

 leaves, clothed with soft down, and numerous pretty white 

 flowers produced in stalked umbels. It thrives freely in 

 the open air in the south of England, from the end of 

 May to October, if planted in rich light soil and in warm 

 positions. Cape of Good Hope. 



*Spirsea Aruncus. This is a remarkably handsome 

 and effective plant, from 3^ ft. to 5 ft. high, with ele- 

 gantly-divided leaves, which bear some resemblance to 

 the fronds of certain ferns. The flowers are white, and 

 are disposed above the foliage in graceful, airy plumes. 

 A cool, peaty soil, and a slightly-shaded position, are best 

 suited for this plant, and it may be placed with advantage 

 on slopes with a north aspect, the banks of streams or 

 pieces of water, in glades, and thinly-planted shrubberies, 

 etc. Division. Siberia, 



*Spirsea Filipendula. A hardy, native perennial, 

 with elegant foliage and handsome flowers. The leaves 

 are mostly radical, very finely cut, and form a loosely- 

 spreading rosette. The flower-stems rise to a height of 

 1 4 ft. to 2 ft., and are terminated by dense panicles of 

 rosy-white flowers. There is a fine variety with double 



