642 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



early-blooming plants, which will afford a glow 

 of colour early in the year. 



About the second week in June is the earliest 

 date at which it is safe to venture on planting 

 out Ricinus, Nicotiana, Solanum, Wigandia, 

 Uhdea, and other soft- wooded plants reared 

 annually. Robust young plants well rooted 

 and carefully hardened off in a cool frame 

 previous to planting out will succeed much 

 better than larger specimens which have been 

 drawn up in a high temperature — indeed this 

 is a most important point in the management 

 of large-leaved foliage plants. 



The soil should be stirred as deeply as 

 possible; the more open and friable it is the 

 quicker and stronger will the plants make their | 

 growth, since open well -worked soils absorb ; 

 heat and retain moisture much better than 

 those which are stiff and badly cultivated. 

 The plants require copious waterings during 

 dry hot weather. Where large Ferns, Arads, j 

 Dracaenas, and tender Palms are placed in 

 shady dells, they should be sprinkled morning 

 and evening with spray from the hose or 

 garden engine, and if the turf is well soaked 

 at the same time so much the better, as it | 

 will then diffuse a genial moisture during the 

 hottest days of summer, adding to the fresh- 

 ness and beauty of the plants, especially the 

 tree -Ferns, which often suffer when plunged 

 outside from dryness in the atmosphere rather j 

 than from a lack of heat. 



A few instances may serve to show the uses 

 of the different plants employed. Grevillea 

 robusfa, with its light feathery drooping leaves, 

 is very effective massed in beds carpeted with i 

 the pretty little variegated Alyssum. Cordyline 

 australis and C. indivisa are particularly grace- 

 ful, both being seen to great advantage in beds 

 carpeted with variegated Mesembryanthemum. 

 Large beds of Canna, either alone or inter- 

 mingled with variegated Maize; Castor -oil 

 plants, especially Ricinus Gibsoni, the coppery- 

 brown leaves having a fine appearance, espe- 

 cially when massed, or mixed with variegated 

 Maize, Tobaccos, or Solanums in large beds. 

 Melianthus major, with its finely -cut, large, 

 glaucous leaves tinted blue, is a favourite 

 subtropical plant, and is highly valued for 

 planting singly in a small bed, or grouped 

 in beds by itself. Intermingled with the 

 beautiful Lobelia fulgens and vars., or any other 

 dark-leaved plants, it is very effective. Wig- 

 andias boldly grouped produce a noble effect. 

 Chamcepeuce diacantha is a distinct and hand- 

 some plant, useful for edging plants with 



dark foliage, such as Canna or Ricinus. Uhdea 

 bipinnatifida is pretty when associated with 

 Cannas, or when isolated on turf. For large 

 beds, Fatsia (Aralia) japonica and F. papyri/era 

 and Caladium esculentum are specially suitable. 

 Several species of Erythrina are effective when 

 massed in large beds, E. crista-galli being one 

 of the best. The glossy -leaved Ficus elastica 

 may be used either mixed with other plants 

 or singly on the lawn. Sonchus laciniatus is 

 serviceable in a similar way. Plants specially 

 suited for isolated positions on grass, or in 

 shady nooks or glades, are: Alsophila excelsa, 

 Blechnum brasiliense, Caladium esculentum, Car- 

 yota wens, and C. sobolifera, Cyathea dealbata, 

 Dicksonia antarctica, Livistona (Latania) sinensis, 

 and L. australis; for an exposed position the 

 following are preferable : — Agave americana, 

 Araucaria excelsa, Bocconia fndescens, Chamcerops 

 excelsa (Fortunei), Cycas revoluta, Eucalyptus 

 globulus, Ferdinanda eminens, Phoenix dactylifera, 

 Seaforthia elegans, and Uhdea bipinnatifida. The 

 Agaves are useful for vases. 



The following plants, are used for subtropi- 

 cal gardening in the warmer parts of Great 

 Britain :— 



Abutilon. — All the strong, erect-growing species that 

 are sufficiently hardy may be planted out about the end 

 of May. Among the best are Fire-King, bright-red; Boule 

 de Neige, pure-white; and Couronne d'Or, bright-yellow. 

 A. Thomsoni variegata has large-lobed leaves beautifully 

 mottled with yellow; A. marmoratum and A. vexillarium 

 variegatum are also good variegated forms which make 

 fine bold masses. Propagated by cuttings in autumn. 



Agave. — Many of the species are admirably adapted 

 for the subtropical garden. Large plants in tubs, when 

 plunged out-of-doors, have a fine effect. A. americana, 

 the American Aloe, is largely used either alone or grouped 

 with Palms and Ferns. Its variegated forms are also very 

 decorative. Propagated by suckers, or from seeds. 



Albizzia (Acacia) Julibrissin and A. lophantha are 

 ornamental plants of elegant habit, with graceful Fern- 

 like foliage, attaining a height of 5 feet in one season. 

 They are easily raised from seed sown in heat in early 

 spring. Cut-back specimens may be used, and will grow 

 much higher the second year. 



Alsophila. — Several species, especially A. excelsa and 

 A. australis, are sufficiently hardy to be planted or plunged 

 in sheltered moist situations outside for the summer. 



Amaranthus caudatus, 3 feet; A. melancliolicus ruber, 

 1| foot; A. sanguineus, 3 feet; A, speciosus, 4 feet; and 

 A. tricolor, in great variety, about 3 feet. These are very 

 effective, associated with Canna, Solanum, Wigandia, 

 Ricinus, Nicotiana, Aralia, &c. Propagated by seeds 

 sown in April. 



Araucaria excelsa, commonly known as the Norfolk 

 Island Pine, may be plunged outside with other foliage 

 plants during summer months, or as a central plant in a 

 bed of succulents. A. Cookii, A. Rulei, A. Goldieana, and 

 A . Balansm, may be used in similar positions. They are 

 all tender. Propagated by seeds or cuttings. 



Areca (Kentia) sapida. — A pinnate-leaved palm which 



