220 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



tection during severe winters usually that afforded by a wall being 

 sufficient. They succeed in ordinary soil, provided it is well drained. 

 A. microphylla, introduced nearly thirty years ago, is the most graceful 

 member of the group, and grows freely in most situations, provided it 

 can be screened from east winds. It forms a dense shrub, with long 

 branches of graceful outline, and numerous small, dark green leaves. 

 In favourable seasons thoroughly established plants produce small, in- 

 attractive, but very sweet-scented flowers. A. Gilliesii is vigorous, but, 

 unfortunately, rather more tender. It should be represented in the 

 wall garden. Its holly-like leaves are very handsome, toothed, glossy 

 green, and its rich yellow flowers are borne in axillary panicles. 



Bamboos. To facilitate reference, Bambusa, Arundinaria, and 

 Phyllostachys are here brought under the general heading of Bamboos, 

 as they are closely allied to each other. No plants give a more tropical 

 appearance to the landscape than suitably placed, healthy Bamboos. 



During the past few years considerable interest has been aroused 

 in this family, the effect of plants in certain positions, hardiness, and 

 general ornamental qualities being referred to in the horticultural press. 

 To prevent disappointment, a few preliminary remarks respecting culture 

 and aspect may not be without value. In the first place, a position 

 screened from the east and north is essential, also a deep, rich, moist soil 

 in which leaf-mould forms a large part. A yearly top-dressing of manure 

 or leaf-mould greatly benefits them, and while growth is in progress 

 frequent soakings of water will be of immense value. A mistake, un- 

 fortunately too often made in the culture of these graceful plants, is, that 

 they are disturbed at the root at the wrong time of the year. Never 

 move them in winter, but wait until the end of May or even the month 

 of June before dividing them, because at that time fresh growth is being 

 formed, and they then move with ease and certainty, the roots are 

 quickly re-established, and the plants grow away as though they had not 

 been interfered with. They are very graceful by the water margin, 

 as well as single specimens on the lawn, and also for sub-tropical garden- 

 ing. Bambusa tessellata, also known under the name of Ragamowski, 

 a fairly well-known kind, is of close, compact, dwarf habit, and very 

 distinct. Its broad, rich green leaves are quite fifteen inches long. B. 

 marmorata also belongs to the dwarf section, and requires a warm spot 

 to bring out its true beauty, a cold, bleak situation being most unsuit- 

 able for this dainty little Bamboo, with its slim dark stems and short, 

 rich green leaves. B. palmata spreads rapidly, and delights in partial 

 shade. Its broad, bright green leaves are large and handsome. The 

 smallest of all Bamboos is B. pygmeza, well adapted for the wild garden, 

 and is also serviceable for permanent edgings. It spreads with excep- 

 tional freedom, and soon forms a dense carpet of greenery. 



Arundinaria FalGOneri, with its slender stems eighteen feet or more 

 long, supplied with rich green leaves, is pretty if planted in a sheltered 

 ravine, but it is only suitable for the milder parts of the country. A. 

 Hindsii is also conspicuous for its erect stems and dark green foliage, 

 but it is surpassed in beauty by its variety graminea. A. Fortunei 



