496 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS solidago 



in loose clusters at the ends of the shoots. 

 Involucre hemispherical or broadly beU- 

 shaped. Eeceptaole flat, pitted. Kay- 

 florets strap-shaped spreading, 5-cleft at 

 the apex. 



X. g^ymnospermoides. — A vigorous 

 downy annual 3-4 ft. high, native of 

 Arizona, vi^ith lance-shaped sharply 

 toothed leaves tapering into a, longish 

 stalk. The bright yellow flower-heads, 

 each about J in. across, appear late in 

 summer in an inverted pyramidal cluster 

 a foot or more in diameter. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 little-known plant flourishes in ordinary 

 good garden soil in warm sunny positions, 

 and owing to its late-flowering propen- 

 sities is well worth a place in the flower 

 border. It may be raised from seeds 

 sown in gentle heat in spring and planted 

 out in May, see p. 78. 



GRINDELIA.— A genus with about 

 20 species of biennial or perennial shrubs 

 or herbs, with alternate, sessile or half 

 stem-clasping leaves, often rigid, toothed, 

 or serrately fringed. Flowers in solitary 

 heads at the ends of the branches. Pappus 

 composed of 28 narrow deciduous bristles. 



Culture and Propagation. — Grin- 

 delias grow readily in a mixture of peat 

 and loam. Seeds may be sown in slight 

 heat about March, and the seedlings 

 planted out in June. The plants may 

 also be increased by cuttings in a cool 

 frame, but they require the protection of 

 a cool frame or greenhouse in winter, 

 except perhaps on the south coast in the 

 mildest parts and in sheltered spots. For 

 the cultivation of biennials in general 

 see p. 60, as most of the Grindelias may 

 be treated as such. 



G. glutinosa. — A pretty Peru\'ian 

 shrubby plant about 2 ft. high, with ever- 

 green, ovate-oblong, serrated leaves. 

 Flowers for the greater portion of the 

 T,'ear, yellow, 1-2 in. across, with clammy 

 involucres. 



Culture ih-. as above. 



G. grandiflora. — A biennial 2|-3 ft. 

 high, native of Texas. Lower leaves 

 spoon-shaped; upper ones sessile, clasp- 

 ing, toothed. Flowers during svimmer, 

 deep yellow or orange, about 1 J in. across, 

 clammy before opening. 



Culiurr i(-r. as above. 



G. inuloides. — A shrubby Mexican 

 biennial, about 1{ ft. high. Leaves 



sessile, oblong lance-shaped acute, ser- 

 rated towards the apex. Flowers from 

 July to September, yellow. 

 Culture dc. as above. 



G. squarrosa (Donia squarrosa). — A 

 N. American perennial, about 2 ft. high, 

 with oblong, clasping, sharply toothed 

 leaves. Flowers from July to Septenaber, 

 yellow. 



Culture etc. as above. 



XANTHISMA.— A genus having but 

 one species : — 



X. texana {Centauridi/um Drum- 

 mondi). — A smooth erect annual or 

 biennial 1^-2 ft. high, native of Texas, 

 having alternate linear lance-shaped 

 entire leaves. The bright yellow flower- 

 heads about 1^ in. across are borne singly 

 during the summer months at the tips of 

 the numerous shoots. 



Culture and Propagation. — This plant 

 is suitable for the flower border with other 

 composite aimuals, and will flourish in 

 ordinary garden soil. Seeds should be 

 sown in gentle heat in February and 

 March, so as to have strong seedlings for 

 planting out 1-1 J ft. apart in bold masses 

 at the end of May. 



SOLIDAGO (Golden Rod). — A 

 genus of about 80 species of tall-growing, 

 rather coarse, perennial herbs, with alter- 

 nate, entire or toothed leaves, and 

 terminal racemes or clusters of small 

 yellow flowers. Involucre oblong or 

 narrow bell-shaped, with bracts in many 

 series. Eay florets strap-shaped, spread- 

 ing, rarely small and erect. Receptacles 

 naked. Pappus in one series of rough, 

 rigid bristles. 



Culture and Propagation. — The 

 Golden Bods are coarse growers and ranlv 

 feeders, and soon impoverish a rich soil. 

 In rough places or old shrubberies they 

 do very well, and brighten the surround- 

 ings with their golden-yellow trusses. 

 They may be increased by division in 

 autumn or early spring. A good top 

 dressing of manure every autumn and 

 winter will enable the plants to grow for 

 several years in the same place. Nearly 

 all are natives of North America. The 

 following are a few of the best for the 

 garden, but several others are to be met 

 with in botanical collections. The flowers 

 of all the species are yellow, and although 

 insignificant individually, are nevertheless 

 showy on account of their great immbers. 



