Achillea 



(9) 



Achimenes 



Tilia (urd. Tiliaccse). It likes a compost of loam 

 and peat, and is propagated by cuttings of the 

 ripe wood placed in a warm propagating frame. 



Species : 



ojipositifoliuin, 20', Je. 



ACHILLEA. (MILFOIL.) 



Border and Alpine flowers (prd. Compositse), 

 which are prized for effect or for cutting. 

 Flowers, mostly small, arranged in corymbs. 

 Leaves finely divided in the greater number. 

 Propagated by division of roots in spring or 

 autumn, cuttings, and seeds sown in the open or 

 under glass. Any ordinary soil. The greater 

 number thrive in sun or shade, though they prefer 

 the former. Some are of rampant growth and in- 

 crease quickly by underground runners, which must 

 be prevented from encroaching on other plants. 



Principal Species : 



agoratifolia, 6", Je.. wh., Daisy-like, lenves finely 

 toothed and white. A charming little Alpine de- 

 lighting in dry sandy loam (syn, Anthemis 

 Aizoon). 



atrata, 5", wh., leaves deep grn. 



Clavennse, 9" to 12", My., etc., wh., leaves hoary 

 in appearance. 



filipcr.dulina, 5', Je. onwards, yel., leaves rough 

 and Fern-like. A noble plant for the back of the 

 border (gyns. filipendula and Eupatorium). 



Millefolium, 2', sum. and aut. The var. called 

 rosemn, or rubrinn, is worth growing for cutting or 

 effect. The type is the well-known Milfoil. 



Ptarmica, 2', sum. and aut., wh. The double 

 vars. are indispensable ; the best are Pearl 

 and The Bride. The type is the wild " Sneezewort." 



sibirica, H', Jy., wh. A graceful border plant, 

 best known by ils synonym of mongolica. 



tomentosa, ti" to 51", sum., yel., leaves woolly. 

 A bright little flower for rockery or front of border. 



Tournefortii, 2', sum., yel., in flat heads, leaves 

 silvery. A handsome border plant, a little tender 

 (syn. segyptiaca, but filipendulina is sometimes 

 known l>y this xyn. also). 



Other Species : 



Ageratum. N", sum., yel. nobilis, 2', sum., wh. 

 decolonms, 1', Jy., pale rupestris, 9". My., gru. 



yel. setacea, 1', Jy . wh. 



inicM-antha, H', Jy., yel. umbellata, o", Je., wh. 



moscliata, 6", Je., wh. 



ACHIMENES. 



Description. A genus (prd. Gesneraceae) com- 

 posed of stove and greenhouse herbaceous per- 

 ennials, flowering in fhe summer, and suitable for 

 growing in pots, pans, and hanging baskets. The 

 plants form scaly tubercles at the root, which rest 

 dormant through the winter. Many beautiful 

 hybrids have been obtained by crossing the dif- 

 ferent species. 



Propagation. Chiefly from the scaly tubercles 

 which form at the roots ; also from seeds and 

 cuttings. 



Soil. Three parts fibrous loam, two parts leaf 

 mould, one part decayed manure, half a part 

 silver .sand. 



Other Cultural Points. Commence to start a 

 portion of the tubercles about the end of January, 

 but leave the remainder for another month if a 

 succession of bloom is required. Shake the old 

 soil away, select the largest tubercles and place 

 them in shallow pans (see figure), using sifted 

 soil of the character suggested, but leaving out 



the manure. Plant the smallest tubercles in 

 other pans to increase in size. Place the tuber- 

 cles 1" apart, and cover with J" of soil. A 

 humid temperature of from 60 "to 70 is suit- 

 able, and when growth appears place the pans 

 near to the light. When the plants are 3" 

 high they will be ready for their flowering 

 pots, which may vary in size from 7" up to 12", 

 according to the purpose required. Deep pans 

 are also suitable. Fill the pots with soil to 

 within 2" of the rim, lift the plants care- 

 fully, and transplant them about 2" apart. 

 Continue to grow in a warm temperature, water 

 freely, and give liquid manure When flowering 

 commences. At this stage they may be removed 

 to a cooler house. For hanging in conservatories 

 and other places baskets of Achimenes are very 

 effective. Line the bottom of a galvanised iron 



ACHIMENES IN HANGING BASKETS. 



A Tubercle shaken out of the old soil. 



B Tubercles placed in a shallow pan of soil to start growth. 



C A later stage plants ready for the baskets. 



D The right sort of plant : a sturdy specimen aboui 

 :i" lung. 



E Shows how to furnish the basket. Lining of wri-rn 

 moss and soil within and the first row of plants inserted. 



F The task completed, showing the sides and open top 

 of the basket furnished with plants. 



wire basket with moss, green side outwards, and 

 insert a ring of plants, 2" apart, .and point- 

 ing outward through the basket (see figure). 

 Line the basket for a further 2", add more 

 soil, insert another ring of plants, and so on till 

 the top of the basket is reached. Plant the 

 surface also, and hang the baskets in a warm 

 temperature till flowering commences, when they 

 may be removed to cooler structures. After the 

 flowering is over, and the foliage turns yellow, 

 gradually withhold water, and when the stems are 

 dead cut them down and store the tubercles in the 

 soil for the winter, with a temperature of about 

 50. During the growing period Achimenes are 

 liable to attacks of red spider, which may be kept 

 in check by a free use of the syringe on favourable 

 occasions. 



The plants greatly dislike a dry atmosphere, and 



I amateurs frequently fail with them because during 



j long absences (often unavoidable) on the part of 



I the cultivator on dry, hot days, the sun parches 



the atmosphere, which becomes harsh and arid. 



It is difficult, in many cases, to meet this difficulty, 



I nit an effort should be made, as baskets 2' or 



more through, completely smothered with brilliant 



flowers, are objects of rare beauty. 



