602 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS statics 



and by carefully dividing the tufts in 

 spring or early autumn. During the 

 summer months cuttings of the young 

 shoots may also be inserted in sandy soil 

 in a close frame or under a hand-glass ; 

 and some kinds like S. latifolia, for in- 

 stance, can be readily increased by means 

 of root-cuttings inserted in cold frames in 

 September and October. 



S. Bonduelli. — A graceful Algerian 

 annual or biennial with rosettes of lyrate 

 pinnatifid leaves, more or less downy or 

 hairy and spreading over the surface of 

 the soil. The beautiful golden-yellow 

 ilowers appear in summer on gracefully 

 branched stems about 12-18 in. high. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seeds sown in autumn or spring. This 

 species likes a good sandy and well- 

 drained soil, and open sunny situations, 

 but can be regarded as hardy only in the 

 mildest parts of the south and west. 



S. echioides. — This Sea Lavender is a 

 native of the Mediterranean shores and 

 grows 6-9 in. high. It has tufts of 

 small leathery obovate wedge-shaped 

 leaves, green above and often reddish 

 beneath. The bluish flowers are pro- 

 duced in much-branched graceful panicles 

 from June to August or September. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seeds sown in autumn or spring like S. 

 Bonduelli, 



S. elata. — A beautiful tufted stemless 

 species, native of S. Russia, with blunt 

 obovate wavy leaves. Flowers in July,- 

 blue, in dense masses on branched stalks 

 about 2 ft. high. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seed or division. 



S. eximia. — A native of Turkestan, 

 about 1 ft. high, with oblong spoon- 

 shaped wavy leaves. Plowers in August, 

 lilac-rose, in very dense branched heads. 



Culture dc. as above. Inci-eased by 

 seed or division. 



S. Gmelini. — A native of Eastern 

 Europe 12-18 in. high with oval or 

 oboval blunt deep green leaves, shortly 

 stalked or almost sessile. Flowers from 

 June to August, bluish, borne in large- 

 branched clusters. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seed or division. 



S. latifolia. — This is perhaps the best 

 of all Statices. Native of S. Russia, 1-2 

 ft. high. Leaves large, oblong elliptic. 



narrowed into stalks. Flowers in June, 

 blue, on tall much-branched scapes. The 

 variety alba with white flowers is a 

 charming plant. 



Culture dc. as above. This species 

 is best increased by means of root- 

 cuttings. The plants should be lifted 

 certainly not later than the end of 

 October, but before if possible, and the 

 roots may be cut into pieces about 2 in. 

 long, each one having an oblique cut at 

 the lower end and a straight cut at the 

 upper. The cuttings may be inserted 

 perpendicularly in a cold frame, and 

 almost every one will root and produce 

 yovmg plants by spring. The thinner 

 roots may be placed lengthways and 

 slightly covered with soil. They will 

 also produce good plants. S. latifolia, 

 too, may be increased by seeds, but the 

 seedlings are apt to vary or deteriorate. 

 Or the plants may be carefully divided 

 about September. 



S. Limonium. — This is a native plant 

 and grows wild upon muddy shores. It 

 has a stout woody creeping rootstock and 

 long-stalked oblong or obovate lance- 

 shaped leaves. The bluish-purple flowers 

 appear from July to September, or later, 

 and are borne on much-branched angular 

 stems, 6-18 in. high. The variety album 

 has white flowers. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seed or division. 



S. sinensis (S. Forttmei). — A smooth 

 Chinese plant with acutely angled stems, 

 about 1 ft. high. Leaves obovate lance- 

 shaped, blunt. Flowers in April, yellow, 

 on tail forked stalks. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seed or division. 



S. sinuata. — An elegant species, 

 native of the Mediterranean region, with 

 leaves pinnately cut into rounded lobes. 

 The winged flower-stems are 1 J-2 ft. high, 

 and from July to September and October 

 bear masses of blue flowers, varying from 

 yellowish-white to clear yellow. 



Culture dc. as above. Although a 

 peremiial it is best treated as a tender 

 annual, see p. 78. 



S. spathulata. — A native of Barbary, 

 1 ft. high, with blunt, spoon-shaped, 

 glaucous, entire leaves. Flowers in 

 August, purple, with a white calyx. 



Culture dc. as above. Increased by 

 seed or division. 



