Dielytra 



( 298 ) 



'Digitalis 



is given frequently after the pots are filled with 

 roots. They make excellent exhibition plants 

 when well grown, the large, handsome leaves 

 having a very distinct appearance. For planting 

 out in shady places they make excellent subjects, 

 as tliey will thrive where many other plants would 

 hardly exist. Throughout the growing period 

 abundance of water is required, the amount being 

 reduced during autumn and winter. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 



[NOTE. The colours refer to the leaves ; all 

 grow 2' to 3' high, taller if required.] 



amahilis, grn., mottled Leopold!!, gni., wh. band. 



yellowish grn. magnifica, grn. , blotched 



amoena, grn., mottled wh. 



wh.j yel. picta, grn., wh. (*y>i. 



Bausei (;/. picta). Bausei). 



Carderi, gru., yel. Regina, grn., yellowish 



Chelsonii, grn., grey band, grn. 



yel. blotches. Rex, grn., mottled wh. 



gigantea,grn.,mottledwh. splendens, grn., mottled 



Imperator, grn., mottled wh. 



yel., wh. vittata, grn., banded wh. 



Other Species and Varieties : 



baraquiniana, grn., mid- maculosa, grn., blotched 



rib wh. wh. 



delecta, grn., wh. spots. majestica, grn., yel. 

 illustris, gm., yel. blotches. nitida, grn., blotched yel. 

 insignis. grn., yel. nobilis, grn., blotched wh. 



blotches. Parlatorei, grh., wh. 



Jenmanii, grn., wh. Seguine, grn., wh. 



Wallisii, grn., grey. 



DIELYTRA. 



The plants generally grown in gardens as Die- 

 lytras (or Diclytras) are now included with the 

 Dicentras, and a description of them is given 

 under that name. The popular plant known as 

 Dielytra spectabilis in gardens, and popularly as 

 the Bleeding Heart or Lyre Flower, is there dealt 

 with. 



DIERVILLA. 



Description. Hardy shrubs (ord. Caprifoliacese) 

 from China, Japan, and North America. Many of 

 them flower with great freedom, and are amongst the 

 most useful shrubs in cultivation. The flowers are 

 tubular, white, rose, red, or yelltfw, varying from 

 5" in length in some species to 2" in others. In 

 addition to the species, there are many very orna- 

 mental garden v rieties in cultivation. These 

 plants are better known in gardens as Weigelas. 



Propagation. Cuttings of soft shoots 4" long 

 root quickly in a warm, close propagating case in 

 May and June. 



Soil. Rich loam is the most suitable, though 

 almost any sort will do. 



Other Cultural Points. When well established, 

 an occasional top-dressing with rotten manure is 

 necessary, and during dry weather in summer 

 copious waterings should be given. Pruning should 

 be limited to the thinning out of worn-out flower- 

 ing wood. 



Principal Species : 



florida, 8', My., Je., red, hortensis, 4V, sum., wh. 

 wh. (tyne, amabilis, japonica, 8'" Mv , ro 

 rosea, etc.). 



Other Species : 



amabilis (see florida). rosea (see florida). 



Lonicera, 4', sum., yel. sessilifolia, 4', sum., yel 



(t/>i. trifida). splendens. 



middendorfiana, 4', sum., 



yel. 



Principal Garden Varieties : 

 Abel Carriere, 7', sum., Van Houttei, 4', wh., ro. 



ro. red. variegata, grn., yel. Ivs. 



Eva Kathke, 2V, sum., 



red. 



DIGGING. 



The breaking up and working of the surface soil, 

 with the object of making it more fertile and im- 

 proving its mechanical condition. The operation 

 of digging differs from that of trenching in that 

 the soil is only removed to the depth the tool 

 penetrates, whereas in trenching the subsoil is also 

 broken up, or brought to the surface. A spade is 

 the best implement for digging where the soil is of 

 a very light or sandy nature, but if stiff and reten- 

 tive it breaks up better under the influence of a 

 flat-pronged fork. Suitable times for digging are 

 governed by the condition and character of the 

 soil. Strong, retentive land is improved by being 

 roughly dug in the autumn, leaving the unbroken 

 lumps to the action of the weather. By digging 

 again in the spring these lumps break into small 

 particles, and a good tilth is obtained. In the 

 case of porous and sandy soils it is better to defer 

 the digging till the early spring. The operation 

 should never be performed when snow is on the 

 ground, or when the soil is too wet to work freely, 

 as in this state it refuses to crumble, and tlie 

 surface lumps dry hard. In commencing to dig 

 an irregular, unshapely piece of ground, begin at 

 the lowest part, unless it be on a hill, making a 

 trench the depth and width of the spade, and 

 removing the soil to the highest point, where a 

 finish should be made. Insert the implement 

 perpendicularly, and keep a broad, open trench, in 

 the bottom of which weeds and manure should be 

 placed. When operating on a rectangular piece of 

 ground, many good diggers begin by dividing the 

 area into two parts. They make a trench across 

 the end of one half, and place the soil along 

 the adjoining edge of the opposite half. They dig 

 to the end, filling up the trench there with soil 

 from across the end of the second half, and then 

 work backwards, filling up the open trench at the 

 finish with the soil removed at the commence- 

 ment. Perennial weeds, such as Couch Grass, 

 Thistles, and Docks, should be carefully picked 

 out, but Groundsel, Chickweed and the like may 

 be turned to the bottom of the trench. 



DIGITALIS. (FOXGLOVE.) 



Striking, and often showy, hardy perennial or 

 biennial plants (ord. Scrophularinese), best known 

 in gardens by the handsome varieties raised from 

 the well-known purpurea, the common Foxglove. 

 Some of the true perennials are, however, very 

 attractive, and a few hybrids have been raised 

 between some of the species. Propagated by seeds 

 sown in April or May in the open, and pricked off 

 about 5" or 6" apart in a nursery bed until early 

 autumn, when they may be planted where they are 

 to bloom. An ordinary garden soil will suit almost 

 all the Foxgloves, but the handsome forms of 

 purpurea should have a rich one; that for the 

 perennials may be comparatively poor and dry, as 

 they are a little more delicate. Occasionally a 

 curious variation is met with, the plants pro- 

 ducing a large, campanulate flower at the top of 

 the stem. 



Dieteria (see Aster). 

 Dieterica (see Caldcluma). 

 Dietes (see Morcea). 



