Gardening for Amateurs 



637 



to October, the earlier the better. Increase 

 is by offsets from the tubers, or by seeds ; 

 these ripen freely, and if they are allowed 

 to fall, self-sown seedlings come up freely. 

 The Winter Aconite is not so suitable for 

 the cultivated flower borders, as for natural- 

 ising in damp shady nooks under trees where 

 the grass is not too thick, among hardy ferns, 

 and in the rock garden. In such positions 

 masses of the rich yellow flowers on 3-inch 

 stalks are most effective. The effect of 

 mingling Winter 

 Aconites, Snow- 

 drops, and Chi- 

 onodoxas together 

 is delightful. The 

 Common Winter 

 Aconite is Eran- 

 this hyemalis ; 

 there is a second 

 sort, E. cilicica, 

 which has larger 

 blossoms, and 

 b ronzy-green, 

 finely cut foliage, 

 but it does not 

 flow r er quite so 

 early. 



Eremurus 

 (Giant Aspho- 

 del or King's 

 Spear). The tall 

 and stately Ere- 

 murus gives char- 

 acter and interest 

 to any garden. 

 It is a great mis- 

 take to suppose 

 that it is not 

 hardy. The only 

 trouble is that 

 the thick, vigor- 

 ous growths push 

 up early in spring, 

 thus being liable 

 to damage from 

 spring frosts. As 

 a precaution plant 

 on a south - west 

 or west border, 

 or among shrubs, 

 and as an addi- 

 tional protection 



place a few Spruce or Yew branches 

 round them in autumn. The soil must 

 be light, rich, and well drained. If the 

 soil is at all heavy, take out the ground 

 to a depth of 3 feet, put in 6 to 9 inches 

 of brick rubble, upon this a layer of 

 leaves, and fill with a mixture of sandy 

 loam, to which are added some leaf- 

 mould, old mortar rubble, well decomposed 

 cow manure, wood ashes and road sand. 

 Planting may be done in early autumn 



King's Spear or Giant Asphodel (Eremurus). 



