132 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAKDENING. 



viously mentioned (5. dmtieuiaiaj . There are others, 

 however, that are well worthy of a place in almost 

 ail kinds of arrangements. The Blue Selaginella 

 (5. casia) is of much value; its extended form of 

 growth causes it to he often sought after by decora- 

 tors as a pendant around small glass vases. S. uin- 

 Orosa, S. canescens, S. incequalifolia, S. Martmsii, and 

 its variegated form, S. stolonifera and S. Wildenovii, 

 are aU choice additions to almost any decorations, pos- 

 sessing novelty and distinct foliation. These latter 

 kinds are not so frequently made use of as they 

 might be, although they thrive under ordinary stove 

 treatment, and could be had without much trouble in 

 most cases. 



Wild Plants and Grasses Amongst British 



wild plants there are several genera that yield us 

 an infinite source' of pleasure in a decorative sense, 

 either from their flowers or their fi-uits ; and lovers 

 of the flora of our own country should obtain 

 such kind's as come under their notice. For use 

 during the winter months the Glad-wyn' (Iris 

 fcetidissima) is most distinct and effective, ■with 

 its spikes bearing their seed-pods, which, as they 

 unfold when f uUy matured, exhibit their brilliantly- 

 coloured berries to perfection. It grows freely 

 in the southern counties, in moist situations, 

 such as hedgerows and ditches. An excellent as- 

 sociate ■with the Gladwyn is the Cotton Grass, 

 with its feathery plumes of soft down that are 

 nearly white in colour ; its botanical name is 

 Eriophorum angustifoUum. The Cats' Tails [Typha) 

 should , be obtained for tall vases ; or they can 

 be used ■with the foregoing aquatics. The red ber- 

 ries of the Gladwyn, the white plumes of the grass, 

 and the bro-wn tail-like spikes of the Typha would 

 harmonise ■well together. To these also the Aquatic 

 Grass, Glyeeria aqtiatica, would be an appropriate 

 addition. Many more of the hardy British grasses 

 are of the greatest use in floral decorations; these 

 should be collected when in their best condition, and 

 laid by for future requirements. 



Those ornamental flo^wering grasses of our gardens, 

 now much more sought after than formerly, are of 

 most essential and valuable service to the decorator. 

 The following are among the best, and ought to find 

 a place in gardens of very limited extent — viz., 

 Agrostis nehulom, and A. pulchella ; Brim gracilis, and 

 B. maxima, the Quaking Grasses ; Lagitrm ovatus, the 

 Hare's Tail Grass, very distinct ; Sordeum jubatitm, 

 the Barley Grass ; Eragrostis elegans, the Love Grass, 

 one of the lightest and best for autumn use ; Bromus 

 patulus nanus, of recent introduction, and distinct in 

 habit. The foregoing kinds are all annuals, and 

 are readily raised fi-om seed every spring. Be- 

 sides these there are Stipa pinnata, the weU-known 



Feather Grass ; this is easily increased by division, 

 or can be also raised from seed, but being a perennial 

 would not produce its flowering plumes the same 

 season as sown. Gymnothrix latifolia is likewise 

 useful, its graceful foliage constituting its chief ' 

 value. Erianthus Eavennce (Man's Beard), and 

 Arundo conspieua (the Silvery Arundo), are both of 

 iraportance in larger-sized arrangements; each of 

 them somewhat resembles the Pampas Grass [Gyne- 

 rium argenteum). This latter well-known plant of 

 our gardens yields spikes rather too large for mixed 

 arrangements, unless of extra dimensions, but for 

 tall vases is always efEective. The twp foregoing 

 kinds should, therefore, be used in preference when 

 required to associate with LUiaceous plants and 

 flowers. In order to economise these flowering 

 grasses for future uses during the late autumn and 

 winter months, each kind in sufficient quantity 

 should be picked when in good condition ; not left 

 till they begin to fade. After this has been done, 

 each sort should be placed in a glass jar or other 

 receptacle suitable for the purpose, but without 

 water. They are better not tied in bunches, merely 

 placed therein in a loose manner ; this is preferable 

 also to the custom sometimes followed of suspending 

 them by their stems. In this latter manner the 

 natural style and elegance of growth is oftentimes 

 lost as the grasses become dried. An airy room is 

 the best place to keep them in, being careful to avoid 

 any accumulation of dust as much as possible. 



Hardy Plo'wers and Plants. — In unison 

 with these grasses there are several flowers, which, 

 from their long durability and property of retain- 

 ing their coloui-s fairly well, are known by the- 

 term of Everlasting Flowers. These are of the 

 utmost service and value to aU whose gardens do 

 not furnish them with sufficient natural flowers 

 throughout the entire year. A reserve of some of 

 the best of them may advantageously be kept by 

 those even who do, as a rule, rely on fresh flowers at 

 all seasons. In cases of emergency, either through 

 misadventure or from extra demand, they will be 

 found quite capable of filling the place of fresh pro- 

 ductions. From the hardy herbaceous plants we can 

 select several examples, which, if not so sho^wy as- 

 some, are yet attractive by their light appearance, 

 intermixing amongst larger flowers with good effect. 

 The Statioes, or Sea Lavenders, are of this class, 

 and ■will be found very useful. Gypsophila pani^ 

 culata is also most light and elegant. The Great 

 Thrift, or Armeria cephalotes, ■with attention in dry- 

 ing, can be turned to good account. Gnaphalium- 

 margaritaceum and G. arenarium, the former ha^ving 

 white and the latter yellow flowers, are each of ser- 

 vice. These are much sought after for "iniiaor- 



