646 



THE GAEDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



the midrib and lateral veins being set with strong hooked 

 spines. 



S. Sieylingii. Large and handsome, the foliage light- 

 green tinged with rose and sparsely armed with spines. 

 A good sort which has been little tried in England. The 

 old plants, if saved, will in a year or two form specimens 

 12 feet high. 



S. Warsceiviczii. Moderately robust, branching from 

 the base, the spinose stems clothed with lobed deep-green 

 leaves, the leaf- stalks and young branches tinged with 

 red. 



Sonchus laciniatus. — Agraceful plant with large deeply- 

 cut leaves and yellow flower-heads. Best when grouped 

 on grass or open spaces, its elegant foliage being then 

 seen to the best advantage. It prefers a rich soil and a 

 sunny position. Propagated by seeds in heat. 



Sparmannia africana.— A handsome shrub, resembling 

 a Malva, with long -stalked, heart-shaped leaves clothed 

 with soft down ; its pretty white flowers are produced in 

 erect clusters. It thrives in the open air in summer on 

 a light rich soil. Propagated by cuttings in heat. 



Tupidanthus calyptratus. — An Aralia-like plant, hardy 

 in the open air from June till October. The leaves are 

 large, deeply divided, and of a dark shining-green colour; 

 it grows from 6 feet or more high, and should have stove 

 treatment in winter and spring. Suitable for grouping in 

 beds or as an isolated specimen. 



Uhdea (Montanoa) bipinnatijida. — A stout Mexican 

 Composite, invaluable for summer decoration. It is of 

 robust growth, attains a height of 4 to 6 feet, with glau- 

 cous, deeply-cut foliage. Best in a sheltered position on 

 the lawn, or when grouped along with dark-leaved Canna 

 or Ricinus. Propagated by cuttings in spring. 



Fig. 773.— Wigandia caracasana. 



Verbesina gigantea. — A shrub about 6 feet high, 

 with stout stems and large, winged, pinnate leaves of a 

 delicate -green colour. Suitable for beds or groups. Pro- 

 pagated by division of roots, or by seeds in heat. 



Wigandia caracasana (fig. 773) is sufficiently hardy 

 to make a luxuriant growth 3 to 5 feet high in one sea- 



son in deep rich soils. The leaves are ovate, 2 feet long, 

 and wavy. W. Vigieri is even more vigorous and quick ; 

 it is distinguished from the former by its longer, more 

 hairy leaves. Propagated by seeds in heat in spring, or 

 by root-cuttings. 



Woodwardia radicans may be used in a shady, moist 

 corner in the subtropical garden, where, if planted on the 

 top of a stump or small mound, its beautiful arching fronds 

 are very effective. 



Xanthosoma robustum. — Of similar habit and appear- 

 ance to Caladiurn escidentum, requires the same kind of 

 position and treatment. X. violaceum has the leaf -stalks, 

 and to some extent the blades also, coloured dark-purple. 



Zea. — The well-known Maize or Indian-corn is useful 

 in many ways. There are two well-marked forms, the 

 green and variegated, as well as many others whose differ- 

 ences are mainly in their seeds. Planted in good soil in 

 a sunny position and kept watered, they grow 3 to 7 feet 

 high. Propagated by seeds in spring in heat. 



[E. B.] 



CHAPTER XLIV. 



WINTER BEDDING. 



Winter bedding should be confined chiefly to 

 those beds in the more conspicuous parts of the 

 garden, which, as a rule, are immediately con- 

 tiguous to the mansion, and are to be seen from 

 the front and windows. The plants employed 

 must of necessity be mostly small, hardy ever- 

 green trees and shrubs, although some ever- 

 green herbaceous plants may also be made to 

 serve, such as, for 'instance, the big-leaved Saxi- 

 fragas, Sedums, and Wallflowers. Form and 

 colour of foliage, as well as habit, are important 

 considerations. The plants must either be pre- 

 pared in the nursery garden, or, if this is not 

 convenient, they may as a rule be purchased 

 fairly cheaply from those who make their culti- 

 vation a speciality. A stock of useful little 

 plants could be worked up in a year or two 

 from seeds and cuttings, if a reserve plot for 

 their accommodation were provided. Informa- 

 tion as to their habit of growth and cultural 

 directions for them will be found in the chapters 

 devoted specialty to hardy trees and shrubs. 



Araucaria imbricata. — Small plants in pots or tubs 

 are suitable for groups or to take the place of specimen 

 Fuchsias, &c, on the lawn. 



Aucuba japonica. — One of the most serviceable in all 

 its forms, both on account of leaf- variegation and for the 

 bright -red berries of the female variety. Large bushes are 

 good for open places on the lawn. Small plants may be 

 transplanted easily into beds for the winter. 



Biota. — Small plants are shapely pyramids and trans- 

 plant easily. Some of the best forms are aurea, argentea, 

 and elegantissima. 



Buxus. — The common Box and its varieties, especially 

 nana variegata, argentea, aurea, and japonica aurea, are 

 well suited for this purpose. 



