360 



THE GABDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



shrubs, among hardy ferns, and along margins of shrub- 

 beries and drives they thrive as a rule, and if left un- 

 disturbed, the bulbs usually increase. They may also 

 be grown in pots, but they will not bear forcing. The 

 best of them are G. Alleni, G. cilicicus (fig. 437), G. 

 Elwesii, G. Ikarice, and the native species, G. nivalis. 



Galega (Goat's Rue). — Good border plants, with white, 

 blue, or lilac Pea-like flowers, which are valued for cut- 

 ting. They like a sunny position and a rich loam to 

 grow in. Increased by division or seeds. 



G. officinalis, var. alba. White, 3 to 4 feet. Europe. 



G. orientalis. Bluish-purple, 2 to 4 feet. Caucasus. 



Galtonia candicans. — A South African Lily, and a 

 handsome bulbous plant, which may be effectively used 

 in the border or in beds among low-growing shrubs. 

 The bulbs are about thrice the size of ordinary Hyacinth 

 bulbs, and the erect stout flower-scapes are 3 to 4 feet 

 high, clothed for a foot or more" with elegant drooping 

 white bell -shaped flowers over an inch long. In the 

 colder parts of the country the bulbs should be lifted in 

 late autumn, and kept in a dry cool shed until February, 

 when they may be replanted. 



Gentiana. — A genus of many species, most of which 

 are unfortunately difficult to cultivate. Others, chiefly 



Fig 438.— Gentiana acaulis 



the taller-growing ones, are easily grown, and are excel- 

 lent for the border or rockery. The dwarf kinds thrive 

 best in rock-work, where they may be given special con- 

 ditions both of soil and position. G. verna is one of the 

 prettiest, but it rarely continues in good health for longer 

 than two or three years. A moist, cool situation, with 

 good drainage, are essential conditions in the cultivation 

 of these plants. The soil should consist of loam, peat, 

 and grit, with a top-dressing of stones to conserve the 

 moisture in summer. The stronger-growing kinds may 

 be propagated by division, but the others must be raised 

 from seeds, although generally a slow method. 



G. acaulis (fig. 438), (Gentianella). Blue, 3 inches. Europe 

 (Britain). 

 G. asclepiadea. Blue, 1J foot. Europe. 



„ var. alba. White. 



G. cruciata. Blue, 9 inches. Europe, &c. 

 G. lutea. Yellow, 3 feet. Europe. 



G. Pneumonanthe. Rich deep-blue, 9 inches. Europe (Britain). 

 G. septemfida. Blue, 9 to 12 inches. Caucasus. 

 G. verna. Brilliant-blue, 2 to 3 inches. Europe (Britain). 



Geranium (Cranesbill). — Several beautiful rock and 

 border plants belong to this genus. They prefer a well- 

 drained soil, and do well on slopes or banks. G. cinereum 



and G. argenteum have silvery leaves ; they require glass 

 protection in winter. The flowers are white, mauve, blue, 

 and purple, sometimes prettily veined. Propagated by 

 cuttings in August or by seeds, which must be gathered 

 as soon as ripe. 



G. argenteum. Pale-red, silvery foliage, 3 inches. Alps. 

 G. armenum. Purplish-crimson, 2 feet. Orient. 

 G. cinereum. White, purple veins, 3 inches. Pyrenees. 

 G. ibericum. Purplish-blue, 2 feet. Caucasus. 

 G. macrorhizon. Bright-purple, 1 foot. Eastern Europe. 

 G. sanguineum. Crimson-purple, 9 inches. Europe (Britain). 

 ,, var. lancastriense. Pink, 9 to 12 inches. 



Gerbera Jamesoni. — In the warmer parts of the 

 country this beautiful South African Composite is easily 

 cultivated in a sunny border. From a tuberous root- 

 stock it sends up annually pinnatifid leaves and erect 

 scapes a foot high, bearing each a large Dandelion-like 

 flower-head of the most brilliant scarlet colour. Under 

 favourable conditions it ripens seeds freely. 



Geum. — Pretty plants of the Pose order, with red or 

 yellow flowers. The taller species, such as G. chilbense 

 and its varieties, have leaves unequally divided, and 

 flowers of a beautiful bright-red colour. G. montanum 

 and G. rcptans, both yellow-flowered, are good low-grow- 

 ing rockery plants. They should be planted in stony 

 soil, and given plenty of water 

 during summer. Increased by 

 division or seeds. 



G. chilbense. Bright- scarlet, 2 feet. 

 Chili. 



G. chilbense. Various garden forms, 

 viz. grandijlorum, miniatum, &c. 



G. montanum. Golden-yellow, 1 foot. 

 Europe. 



G. rivale. Purple, 9 inches. North 

 temperate regions. 



Gillenia. — Delicate neat plants 

 of the same character, and requir- 

 ing the same treatment, as Spiraea. 

 G. trifoliata has slender dark-red 

 stems clothed with rose and white 

 star - shaped flowers in July. 

 Height 2 to 3 feet. It is a native 

 of North America. 



Gladiolus. — The several races 

 of this fine genus are suitable for 

 the herbaceous border. For particulars as to sorts and 

 cultivation, see special chapter. 



Gunnera. — Most of the members of this genus are 

 water-side plants, with large Rhubarb-like leaves. These, 

 in G. manicata, measure 9 feet or more in diameter. The 

 inconspicuous flowers are borne on a thick club-shaped in- 

 florescence, which should be cut out as soon as it appears, 

 as the leaves develop better then. This and G. chilensis 

 (scabra) are most usually seen in gardens. They like a 

 deep, rich soil, a moist position, and shelter during the 

 cold season. They enjoy the sun on their heads, and 

 an ideal position for them would be a water-side hollow, 

 with protecting banks of shrubs around. Copious manure 

 waterings, or top-dressings of cow-manure, should be given. 

 When the plants are dying down in autumn the crowns 

 should be protected, and it is quite worth the trouble to 

 arrange a covering of mats to protect them from spring 

 frosts. Propagation by division or seeds. 



Gypsophila. — A genus of Caryophyllacese, of which 

 G. paniculata is the best-known species. It is an ex- 

 tremely useful plant, both for the border and for cut-flower 

 purposes, being very effective in combination with the 



