644 



THE GAKDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



leaves covered with stellate down, and terminal clusters 

 of white flowers resembling those of a small Dog-Rose. 

 It grows about 6 feet in height, and is useful for grouping 

 with other foliage plants. Propagated by cuttings. 



Ekythrina. — These are very useful for massing in 

 beds or borders. E. crista-galli is well known, but there 

 are several forms of it worth using, viz. : ornata, Marie 

 Belanger, Madame Belanger, laurifolia, Hendersoni, and 

 ruberrima. Propagated by cuttings in heat in spring. 



Eucalyptus globulus, the Blue-Gum, is the best, indeed 

 the only one of the numerous species which have been 

 introduced that has proved of any value for planting for 

 effect in this country. It is easily raised from seeds sown 

 in heat, forms plants 5 to 10 feet high in a season, and is 



clothed to the base with long blue-green leaves It should 

 be planted in a sunny position. The shoots are easily 

 damaged by wind. Plants grown in pots for a year and 

 planted out the following June make surprising growth. 

 They are killed by a few degrees of frost. 



Farfugium grande (Senecio Kcempfcri). — A Japanese 

 herb, with thick, fleshy stalks 18 inches high, and broad, 

 nearly heart-shaped leaves of a bright -green colour, 

 streaked and spotted with yellow in one variety, and 

 with white and rose in another. It likes a half-shady 

 position and plenty of water in hot weather. Propagated 

 by offsets in heat. 



Fatsia (Aralia). — The Chinese and Japanese ever- 

 green species are well suited for grouping among other 





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'1— Nicotiana svlvestris. 



subtropical plants. F. Sieboldi (japoniea) is the best, its 

 bright-green palmately-lobed leaves on woody stems 2 to 

 6 feet in height being very telling either when grouped 

 or when isolated on the lawn. F. papyri/era, the Chinese 

 rice-paper plant, is of rapid growth, often attaining a 

 height of 3 to 5 feet in one season, with leaves frequently 

 n, yard in diameter. They are densely covered with whitish 

 wool, and are irregularly lobed. Propagated by stem or 

 root -cuttings in spring. 



Ferdinanda mmens. — This is a quick -growing Mexican 

 tree, but its principal use in this country is as an annua] 

 or biennial for its enormous dull-green, opposite, entire 

 leaves. It is an excellent plant for a large mass either in 

 a bed or as a group among - other plants. In rich soil it 

 attains a height of 6 to 8 feet in a season. Propagated 

 by seeds in spring. 



Ficus elastica grows freely when planted in a bed of 

 rich soil in a warm, sunny position and kept well watered. 

 It is useful for massing in beds or for select mixed groups. 

 The variegated form is apt to burn if placed in an exposed 

 position. 



Grevillea robusta. — This has graceful Fern-like foliage, 

 and is at first erect and unbranched, but branches freely 

 when about a yard high ; is very effective when grouped 

 with dwarfer foliage plants, or massed in beds with a 

 carpet of Sweet Alyssum. Propagated by seeds sown in 

 heat early in spring. 



Hedychium. — Sturdy Indian plants of the Ginger 

 family, very useful for planting out in sheltered positions 

 on warm, rich soils. H. coronarium has stems about 6 feet 



high of Reed-like habit and large lanceolate glaucous- 

 green foliage. When strong, the stems produce terminal 

 dusters of white and yellow fragrant flowers. H. Gard- 

 ner ictnum is shorter, with broadly lance -shaped leaves and 

 lemon-yellow flowers. Propagated by division in spring. 



Kochia scoparia. — A very pleasing annual of the Goose- 

 foot family, forming a compact bush from 3 to 5 feet high; 

 effective for grouping with other foliage plants. Propa- 

 gated by seeds in heat in spring. 



Livistona chinensis {Latania borbonica). — This bears 

 exposure well if hardened gradually before being turned 

 out ; its bright-green fan-shaped leaves are always pleas- 

 ing, whether grouped with other plants or as an isolated 

 specimen. L. australis has the leaves more erect and the 

 blade smaller, and may be used in the same way. 



Melia Azedarach. — A tropical tree, but known only in 

 a small state with us. Its dark-green pinnate leaves are 

 elegant, and its lilac-coloured fragrant flowers are pro- 

 duced in large bunches in the axils of the leaves. Healthy 

 young plants put out early in June and kept to a single 

 stem form graceful objects in the subtropical garden. The 

 leaves are from 1^ to 2 feet long, and 1 to \\ foot across. 

 It prefers a rich soil in a shady position, and frequent 

 watering. Propagated by seed in heat. 



Melianthus major. — An effective half-hardy scandent 

 plant with large glaucous pinnate leaves. It is most 

 effective when kept to about 3 feet in height, and is 

 useful for massing with dark -leaved plants. Should be 

 lifted in autumn and stored in a cool, dry place. Propa- 

 gated from seeds. 



