958 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS abundo 



a long time and are very valuable for 

 decorative work. 



Culture dc. as above. Seeds may be 

 sown in spring or autumn. 



ANTHOXANTHUM (Sweet 

 Vernal Grass). — A genus of sweet- 

 scented Grasses, differing from most of the 

 others in having only 2 stamens, with 

 linear purple or yellow anthers, and long 

 styles with feathery stigmas. 



A. odoratum. — A graceful native 

 perennial Grass with shining stems 6-18 

 in. high, ilat hairy leaves, and downy or 

 hairy panicles composed of green spikelets 

 borne in May and Jime, and becoming 

 dull yellow when old. It is this Grass 

 which gives the well-known scent to new- 

 mown hay, and when drying emits an 

 odoUr resembling that of the Sweet 

 Woodruff {Asperula odorafa), p. 487. 



Culture amd Propagation. — This 

 species may be raised from seed sown in 

 spring or autumn, or by division of the 

 tufts. 



APERA arundinacea. — An elegant 

 Grass, native of New Zealand. It grows 

 12-18 in. high, with slender stems, from 

 which long and gracefully arching and 

 drooping panicles of purple-brown flowers 

 are produced in great profusion. As the 

 pfenioles often droop lower than the base 

 of the plant, this species seems to be more 

 suitable for pot-culture, so that it can be 

 raised on a pedestal to allow the natural 

 weeping habit free play. 



Culture and Propagation. — It may be 

 raised from seeds, and although not yet 

 well known, will probably prove hardy, at 

 least in the milder parts of the country, 

 in ordinary soil. The tufts may also be 

 divided. 



ARUNDO (Ebed). — A genus of 

 ornamental Bamboo-like Grasses, easily 

 grown in ordinary soil and preferring 

 damp but sheltered situations. They are 

 effective massed here and there in the 

 lawn or pleasure ground. They are 

 increased by dividing the creeping root- 

 stocks, which become woody with age, 

 and also by means of cuttings. The latter 

 are taken about June, the ends of the 

 large stems being cut off and placed 

 horizontally or obliquely in a hotbed and 

 covered with fine and very sandy soil. 

 They are kept very moist and heavily 

 shaded, until after a short time buds are 

 seen to shoot from the joints, and in their 



turn produce roots. When well rooted 

 the buds are detached and potted up 

 separately, still keeping them warm, 

 moist, and shaded, until they have 

 become sufficiently established to bear 

 more air and Ught, and a cooler atmo- 

 sphere, preparatory to planting them out 

 of doors. Seeds may also be sown in 

 gentle heat in spring, the seedlings being 

 grown on in the same way as the rooted 

 cuttings. 



A. conspicua. — A noble New Zealand 

 Eeed with tufts of stoutish stems 3-12 ft. 

 high, clothed with long curving leaves, 

 and bearing drooping racemes of sUky 

 white, green, or yellowish flowers which 

 last for a long time in perfection. 



Culture dc. as above. A rich, moist, 

 loamy soil suits this plant best, and 

 in the warmer parts of the country 

 it attains its finest and most luxuriant 

 proportions. In cold parts a protection of 

 leaves or litter over the crowns is advis- 

 able in frosty weather. 



A. Donax (Great Beed). — This is the 

 giant among European Grasses. It is a 

 native of S. Europe, and in rich moist 

 loamy soil attains a height of 10-12 ft. 

 Its stems or ' culms ' are clothed with 

 alternate lance-shaped glaucous-green 

 recurved leaves. The numerous reddish 

 spikelets become whitish with age, and 

 form a compact panicle 12-16 in. long. 



Culture dc. as above. This species 

 requires protection in winter in the 

 colder parts of the country. The variety 

 versicolor or variegata only grows about 

 3 ft. high, but is a very ornamental and 

 valuable garden plant. The graceful 

 leaves are striped with white. It is a 

 fine plant for grouping and flourishes in a 

 deep well-drained sandy loam, but requires 

 protection in severe winters. The stems 

 placed in water produce shoots from the 

 joints which may be potted up separately 

 and grown on under glass until estab- 

 lished. 



A. Phragmites (Phragmites com- 

 mumis). — This is the common British 

 Reed found growing near the edges of 

 lakes &c. It has creeping jointed root- 

 stooks, and stout stems 6-10 ft. high, 

 clothed with flat stif&sh leaves, glaucous 

 on the under surface. The flower spikelets 

 are borne in dense ovoid panicles in July 

 and August, and are of an attractive 

 purplish colour, and furnished with silky 

 hairs. 



