156 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 26;?. 



as this single tree yielded at least half a bushel of good 

 seeds. 



If Acer Nikoense proves hardy and flourishes in our 

 gardens, it will be particularly remarked for the brilliancy 

 of its autumn foliage, which is not surpassed in beauty by 

 that of any other tree which I saw in Japan, and which, 

 unlike that of most trees, is only bright-colored on one 

 surface. C. S. S. 



N' 



Cultural Department. 



Hardy Perennials for Cutting-. 



'Ogarden can be considered complete withoutaserviceable 

 border of hardy perennials for cutting. Although there is 

 never at any time a general display, except, perhaps, when 

 Squills, Narcissi and otherspring-tiowering bulbs are in bloorn, 

 something of interest may be had continuously, and by judi- 

 cious selection it is possil)le to have at all times a good supply 

 of cut flowers. Flowers in early spring are especially appre- 

 ciated, since considerable time must elapse before a general 

 display of summer-blooming annuals, like Sweet Peas, Stocks, 

 Poppies and Asters, may be had. New or rare kinds are not 

 always satisfactory to the amateur, but there are many of free 

 and easy growth which can be thoroughly recommended. 



Lenten Roses, mostly hybrids, or forms of Helleborus orien- 

 talis, are among the earliest tiowers. These are bowl-shaped, 

 white, sometimes shaded with green, or reddish purple, and 

 often beautifully spotted. They are borne on leafy stems, and 

 are very serviceable flowers to cut, keeping well for a long 

 time. The best time to plant or to divide the clumps is in the 

 autumn. Some of the best hybrids are Fran Irene Heine- 

 mann, Hofgarten Inspector Hartweg and Willby Schmidt. The 

 Christmas Rose (H. niger) blooms in southern and eastern 

 Europe during the winter, and miported roots are frequently 

 offered in this country. It would be well to note here that it is 

 not a very satisfactory hardy plant, at least in the New England 

 states. Being disposed to bloom on the occurrence of a mild 

 spell, it is sure to be cut down by the succeeding sharp frosts. 

 Spring frosts usually injure the young leaves, and consequently 

 it is rarely in a very thrifty condition. 



The numerous species and varieties of Narcissus furnish 

 some of the most beautiful spring tiowers useful for cutting. 

 While many of the newer and rarer garden hybrids are costly, 

 there are common kinds in abundance which may be had 

 cheaply enough to be within the reach of all, and it may be 

 taken as an axiom that the cheaper they are the more satisfac- 

 tory they will be. The common English Daffodil and its va- 

 rieties are probably better known than any, and are seen in 

 florists' windows from January until Easter-time, having been 

 forced in greenhouses. The flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, 

 borne singly on stout stems, wholly yellow in such varieties as 

 Golden Spur and Trumpet Major, and with a white perianth, 

 and yellow trumpet in Horsfieldi, and a primrose trumpet, 

 with yeUow perianth, in Obvallaris, the Tenby Daffodil. The 

 Incomparabilis and varieties follow the trumpet section in 

 their period of blooming, and are distinguished by a larger 

 perianth and smaller trumpet, which is in these called the 

 crown. Of this class the great Welsh Chalice-flower, Sir Watkin, 

 is the best. It has a vigorous constitution and increases quite 

 rapidly. The Poets' Narcissus is the latest of all to bloom. The 

 flowers are white, with a small crown edged with red. It is, 

 moreover, very sweetly scented. 



Doronicum plantagineum excelsum is a very handsome 

 early yellow blooming composite. It makes an excellent bor- 

 der-plant and furnishes a good supply of flowers for cutting. 

 The Virginian Cowslip (Mertensia Virginica), with its lovely 

 panicles of metallic-blue flowers, is ever welcome ; the cut 

 flowers are charming. This should always be planted where 

 it can have especial care. It forms long tuberous roots ; dying 

 down very early in the season, it is apt to be overlooked and 

 destroyed by hoeing. The common English Primrose and 

 the more recent Primrose-Polyanthus hybrids have devel- 

 oped a beautiful class of plants for early spring border-work as 

 well as for general house decoration. There are now strains 

 producing flowers of all shades of red, purple, lilac, yellow 

 and white. Heuchera sanguinea is a comparatively new and 

 beautiful species from Mexico. It is suitable for the front 

 rank of the border or for the Alpine garden. Its long, slender 

 spikes of coral-red flowers are particularly beautiful and last 

 for a long time. Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus), although 

 rather unwieldy for cutting, have the affectionate regard of aU 

 flower lovers. These are best cultivated as biennials. Seeds 

 may be sown in May, and, transplanted eight inches apart, they 



make nice clumps for shifting into blooming quarters in the 

 spring following. Day Lilies (Hemerocallis) are among the 

 most satisfactory border-plants. The flowers are of various 

 shades of yellow. By taking H. Dumortieri, orange-yellow, 

 early, H. graminea, sulphur-yellow, early, H. flava, yellow, 

 summer-blooming, and H. Thunbergii, sulphur-yellow, late, 

 a supply of these may be had for a long time. The flowers are 

 sweet-scented and are effective for decorative work. 



Pa^onies generally suggest, in the popular mind, very showy, 

 but rather coarse, double flowers. The single varieties are ex- 

 ceedingly handsome, and very appropriate for vases. The Mal- 

 tese Cross, or Scarlet Lychnis (L. chalcedonica), is a very com- 

 mon border-plant, very bright and pure in color. In this respect 

 it is unique. No plant gives so much satisfaction, taking care of 

 itself perfectly ; it remains, more or less, in bloom during the 

 entire summer, L. vespertina plena is the double form of the 

 common eveningscented species of Europe. While healthy 

 enough where established, it is safer to protect its rather fleshy 

 root-stock with a few dry leaves. The Alpine Poppy (Papaver 

 alpinum) and the Iceland Poppy (P. nudicaule) are more or 

 less in bloom the whole season, and if picked when freshly 

 opened will last two or three days. The colors of the first- 

 named are mostly shades of red and white, of the latter yel- 

 low. In habit and constitution they are very much alike. 

 These elegant little species are not quite happy in an ordinary ■ 

 border; they should have a space set apart, free from the 

 shade of coarse-growing plants and also have the slight pro- 

 tection of leaves or Pine-needles rather than manure. Peren- 

 nial Larkspurs are noble border-plants. Their majestic spikes 

 of blue stand out distinctly. The double varieties are desira- 

 ble for cutting, lasting well. By a little care in cutting away 

 seed-stems, a supply may be had until late in the autumn. 

 The double white Achillasa Ptarmica, although rather weedy 

 in habit, is a free bloomer and quite indispensable where cut 

 flowers are required. 



Coreopsis grandiflora is a clear yellow flowering species, 

 giving an abundance of blooms until late. It is rather bien- 

 nial in character, but sows itself so freely that there is never 

 any danger of losing it. The double as well as single varie- 

 ties of Pyrethrum roseum and Potentilla grandiflora are 

 general favorites in European gardens, where many fine- 

 named varieties are cultivated. These should be grown in beds 

 or borders by themselves and receive abundance of water in 

 summer and light protection in winter. Thermopsis Caro- 

 liniana, a yellow-flowered member of the Pea family, makes 

 a bright and attractive border-plant. Its handsome spikes of 

 yellow flowers are useful in vases. Many other perennials 

 might be added, but Helianthus decapitalus, single and double. 

 Aster Bessarabicus, A. Novae-Angliag and the Japanese Anem- 

 ones must close this list of useful plants, and these will fur- 

 nish flowers from spring until autumn. 



Wellesley, Mass. T. D. H. 



Flowering- Plants for Cool Houses. 



SOME of the Boronias make a pleasing addition to the stock 

 of spring-flowering plants suitable for cool-house culture. 

 While the members of this genus are not extremely showy 

 plants, they are neat and compact in habit and produce a great 

 abundance of their small bell-shaped flowers ; these are usu- 

 ally sweet-scented. 



Boronias are not specially difficult to grow, and easily recon- 

 cile themselves to the ordinary conditions of a conservatory, 

 as a temperature of about fifty degrees, some sunshine and a 

 fair supply of water. A light, open compost is best suited to 

 their needs, preferably consisting largely of peat. Attention 

 should be paid to the drainage of the pots ; stagnant water is 

 highly injurious to Boronias, in common with all new Holland 

 plants. Propagation is effected by cuttings, which should be 

 made from firm growths, and planted in cutting-pots filled 

 with peat and sand made quite solid. The cutfings should be 

 kept close during the day, but have some ventilation at night. 

 Some little care is required at this stage in order to keep the 

 cuttings fresh and unwilled, without allowing enough mois- 

 ture to accumulate in the frame or under the bell-glass with 

 which they are protected, to create fungus. 



During the summer months Boronias may be kept outdoors 

 with less risk of red spider than if kept under glass at that 

 season ; they should be plunged in ashes and slightly pro- 

 tected from full sunshine by the use of lath shades over the 

 plants. Among the best species areB. megastigma, the flow- 

 ers of which are purplish outside and yellow within, B. elatior, 

 rosy carmine, and B. Drummondii, pink-flowered in the type, 

 but also having a white variation ; all these are very attractive 

 and free-flowering. 



Eriostemumbuxifolium is another good Australian shrub and 



