Asphodelus 



Aspidium 



Other Species : 



brevicaulis, sum., yel. tenuior, 1', yel. (syns. 



damascena, 1.V to 2', wh. oretica and Asphodelus 



liburnica, 1J' to 2', yel. tenuior). 



ASPHODELUS. (ASPHODEL.) 



Handsome hardy flowers (ord. Liliacere) of much 

 value for borders. They have long, narrow leaves 

 and spikes of effective flowers. Propagated by 

 division of the roots after flowering, and by seeds 

 sown in pots or boxes in spring and placed in a 

 frame. The greater number of the Asphodels should 

 have a strong soil, but they can be grown in a lighter 

 one also. Acaulis requires a light, dry compost. 



Principal Species : 



acaulis, 1J', Ap., My., pk. A very pleasing plant, 

 which blooms even earlier than the time stated 

 in very early districts. Rather tender. 



albus, 2', My., wh. A favourite with many, and 

 a nice little Asphodel. A sub-species of ramosus. 



ramosus, 5', My., wh. A noble plant when well 

 grown, and capital for a shady border in good soil. 



Other Species : 



asiaticus, 2', Je., wh. creticus (sec Asphodeliue 



comosus, 21', Jy., wh. libumica). 



ASPIDISTRA. fistulosus . 2 '. J y-> wh - 



Description. Greenhouse evergreen perennials 

 (tird. Liliacese). Amongst the most useful orna- 

 mental foliaged plants for rooms, corridors, and 

 cool conservatories. 



Propagation. Division of the roots and suckers, 

 in spring. 



Soil. Three parts loam, two parts leaf mould, 

 one part sand. 



Other Cultural Points. Aspidistras will thrive 

 with deficient light, and in a dry atmosphere con- 

 ditions that would be fatal to other subjects and 

 consequently they make excellent room plants. 

 They are perfectly at home in a cool stove or green- 

 house, and if watered liberally they continue to 

 grow in a root-bound condition. If allowed to 

 remain in this state too long, however, the leaves 

 come small, and have a sickly appearance. The 

 best time for potting is in the spring. 



Principal Species : 



elatior, 1!' to '2'. 



variegata. 



lurida, 1' to H', gru., 

 lanceolate leaves (lurida 

 of gardens is now re- 

 ferred to elatior) . 



variegata, variegated 



leaves, 

 punctata, 1', now referred 



to elatior. 

 typica, 1' to l\'. 



AsriDitsi CAi'EXSE. (Seep. 85.) 



ASPIDIUM AKISTATUM VAKIEGATUM. (See p. 85.) 



ASPIDIUM. 



Description. A large genus of stove, greenhouse, 

 and hardy Ferns (oj'rf.Filices), now including Cyclo- . 

 dium, Cyclopeltis. Cyrtomium, and Polystichum. 



Propagation. By spores, sown when ripe. 



Soil. Three parts of sandy peat, one part of 

 loam, and a few pieces of broken sandstone. 



Other Cultural Points. The hardy species and 

 varieties do splendidly underneath the partial 

 shade of trees. A top-dressing of leaf soil may be 

 given with advantage at the commencement of the 

 winter, and the dead fronds should be left to afford 

 some protection to the crowns. Plenty of water is 

 necessary at all times. The stove and greenhouse 

 forms do not need quite so much shade as the 

 majority of other Ferns, for their fronds are 

 generally of a more leathery texture. Tempera- 

 ture for the greenhouse, 45 minimum ; for the 

 stove, GO" minimum. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 



[The figures refer to the length of the fronds.] 



acrostichoides, 1' to 2', hdy. (ayn. Polystichum 

 acrostichoides). Grandiceps and incisum are two 

 pretty vars., but there are many others. 



aculeatum, Hard Shield Fern, 1' to 3', hdy. (si/n. 

 Polystichum aculeatum). Proliferum and vestitum 

 are two handsome forms. 



angulare, Soft Shield Fern, botanically only a 

 var. of aculeatnm, hdy. (.//. Polystichum angu- 

 lare). There are innumerable vars., some of 

 the best being alatum, grandiceps, Kitsonise, 

 lineave, proliferum, and YVoollastonii. 



