648 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Clerodendrons. — These beautiful shrubs are readily propa- 

 gated from cuttings of the non-flowering side shoots, in sandy 

 soil, under a bell-glass, with bottom-heat ; also by root-cuttings, 

 and from seed. Old plants should be cut back annually. 

 Remove most of the old soil, trim the roots, and repot 

 in spring in a compost of two parts loam, one part peat, 

 and one part rotten dung. Plunge the pots in a hot-bed 

 to start the plants into growth, and transfer into larger pots 

 as required, according ■ to the strength of the plants, when 

 they will form noble bushes. C. fallax (from Java) is one 

 of the most beautiful species, with large heart - shaped ' 

 leaves on long petioles, and bearing bright scarlet flowers in 

 June. C. fragrans flore-pkno is a garden variety, 4ft. high, with 

 white and red flowers ; August. C. infortunatum, from the East 



Indies, has vivid scarlet flowers ; 

 July. C. Kampferia is a fine South 

 American plant, with bold foliage and 

 large panicles of scarlet flowers, pro- 

 duced well above the noble foliage. 

 C. squa?natum (Fig. 419) is a native 

 of China and Japan ; its branches 

 are four-angled and furrowed, and its 

 leaves are heart-shaped ; the handsome 

 flowers are of a striking bright scarlet, 

 and borne in terminal panicles. 



Clivia. — See Imantophyllums. 



Crinum. — The stove species of this 

 genus of remarkably handsome bulbous 

 plants are especially attractive by 

 reason of their lovely Lily-like fragrant 

 flowers, produced many in an umbel 

 at the end of the rather long solid 

 scape. Some cultivators plant their 

 bulbs in prepared beds, with good results. They also succeed 

 very well in pots. Rich turfy loam, with a little peat, well- 

 decayed manure, and coarse sand form a good compost in 

 which to pot them. Good drainage is essential, as they require 

 an abundance of water when growing, which should be in a light, 

 well-ventilated portion of the house. The bulbs should be 

 thoroughly well ripened after growth is completed, and be kept 

 quite dry during winter. They are propagated by offsets which, 

 however, are but sparingly produced. C. amabile, C. amcenum, 

 C. Macowani, C. Makoyana, C. Moorei, C. ornatum, and C. pur- 

 purascens are all good sorts. 



Didymocarpus malayanus, a recent acquisition from Malaysia, 

 is a distinct and charming stemless herbaceous plant, producing 

 in cymes primrose-yellow flowers, with a deeper yellow blotch on 



Fig. 419. — Clerodendron 

 squamatdm. 



