148 



Gardening for Amateurs 





is an exact counterpart except that the 

 flowers are white ; the varieties compacta, 

 lilac, and compacta alba, white, both 

 grow about 2 feet, high. A double variety, 

 carnea fl. pi., 3 feet high, has bluish-rose 

 flowers produced very freely, the sprays of 

 blooms being useful to cut for indoor 

 decoration. Hartlandii is a vigorous-growing 

 variety, 4 to 5 feet high, with la vender- blue 

 and white blooms. Snowball, 3 feet, is a 

 delightful variety, with pure white flowers. 

 Still further variation may be secured by 

 growing the variety rosea, a plant having 

 rosy -pink flowers. Galega orientalis, 2| to 

 3 feet high, has lilac-purple or mauve flowers. 

 Geranium (Crane's Bill). The true 

 Geraniums are hardy herbaceous perennials, 

 popularly known as the Crane's Bill, in 

 reference to the shape of the flowers. Some 

 confusion unfortunately exists with regard 

 to the use of the name Geranium : it is the 

 popular name of the Zonal Pelargoniums, 

 quite a distinct family of greenhouse plants. 

 The hardy Geraniums are charming plants 

 for a sunny border, the soil should be well 

 drained, and the plants do not mind if the 

 ground is inclined to be sandy, thriving well 

 on a rather dry bank, for instance. Several 

 of the stronger-growing kinds should be 

 planted in the wild garden, and they will 

 also hold their own in open positions along 

 a half shady walk. Some of the low-growing 

 sorts are valuable rockery plants. Seeds 

 form a ready means of increase ; sow thinly 

 in shallow boxes of sandy soil from March 

 to June, and place in a cold frame. Prick 

 out the seedlings when large enough on a 

 prepared bed out of doors, transferring to 

 their flowering positions in March or early 

 April. The best for the border are the 

 following : G. armenum, 2 to 2 feet high, 

 large deep rosy-crimson flowers with dark 

 centre, summer and autumn ; G. Endressii, 

 1 foot high, bright rose, summer flower- 

 ing ; G. grandiflorum, 1 foot high, large 

 violet-blue flowers, from May to July ; 

 G. ibericum, 2 feet high, one of the best, 

 attractive purple-blue flowers, in summer 

 a variety of this called platyphyllum has 

 violet-purple flowers ; G. macrorhizon, 1 

 foot high, reddish-crimson flowers, in 

 May and June ; G. Pratense, 2 feet high, 

 the Meadow Crane's Bill, violet-blue flowers, 



in June alba is a white variety, and flore 

 pleno a double form ; G. sanguineum, J to 

 1 foot, crimson-purple, June to August 

 album, white, and Lancastriense, flesh-colour, 

 are two attractive varieties ; G. Wallichi- 

 anum, about 2 feet high, has blue, white- 

 centred blooms in late summer and autumn. 

 Geum (Avens). One or two of the best 

 Geums may very well be described as in- 

 valuable in the border and rock garden ; 

 The flowering season is a lengthy one, 

 extending from early spring to late autumn. 

 Their pleasing and elegant growth, combined 

 with their brightly coloured flowers, make 

 the Geums very popular in the outdoor 

 garden. A small bed of the beautiful variety 

 Mrs. Bradshaw on the lawTi can be strongly 

 recommended. The flowers are most useful 

 to cut, lasting well in water. The plants 

 thrive in well cultivated garden soils ; the 

 ground to avoid is a heavy wet clay ; choose 

 a sunny position, and plant in spring or 

 autumn. They may be increased by seeds 

 sown on a border out of doors from April 

 to June (the plants will flower the following 

 year), also by division of the roots in autumn 

 or spring. It is not necessary or desirable 

 to transplant Geums frequently ; while the 

 plants flower freely do not disturb them. 

 During dry summers a mulching of old 

 manure or leaf-mould and weekly applica- 

 tions of w r ater and liquid manure will prolong 

 the flowering season and increase the vigour 

 of the plants. A selection should include 

 the following kinds : G. Chiloense (coccineum 

 grandiflorum), 2 feet, large single scarlet 

 flowers ; var. flore pleno has semi-double 

 scarlet flowers ; and var. Mrs. Bradshaw pro- 

 duces large brilliant red double flowers 

 throughout the summer, it is one of the 

 best of the newer herbaceous perennials. 

 A variety called Mr. Bradshaw, with large 

 semi-double orange-yellow flowers, must not 

 be confused with the last-mentioned plant. 

 G. Ewenii, l feet, produces its bright 

 orange flowers from June to September ; 

 G. Heldreichii splendens, 1 foot, orange- 

 red, blooms very freely throughout the 

 summer, and Heldreichii luteum has yellow 

 flowers. G. miniatum, 2 feet, orange-scarlet, 

 blooms from June to September ; Orange 

 Queen and Yellow Queen, 2 feet high, in- 

 dicate the colours of two very useful sorts ; 



