HOW TO GROW G ANNAS. 



61 



are fairly numerous, but several are rarely seen in general cultivation. 

 There is a strain of C. venustus, known as the Eldorado, that 

 comprises many different colours, and in some the basal markings 

 on the inner side of the segments are peculiarly refined. This, it 

 may be said, is a characteristic of the majority of the species of 

 this genus. 



Selection of Calochorti. 



albus, white. 



amen as, ricli piuk. 

 'ceruleus, pale blue ; several 

 varieties. 



lilacinus, pale purple. 



luteus, yellow ; the 

 varieties citriuus and 

 concolor are good. 



clavatus, yellow. 



Gunnisonii, white, 



centre. 

 Howellii, white, 

 pulchellus, yellow. 

 Purdjd, white, 

 splendens, lilac {see 

 venustus, white 



stitution. 



yellow 



p. 60). 

 fine con- 



Chapter XIX — Cannas. 



Though there is no question that the beautiful Canna is rapidly 

 attaining a place in public favour consistent with its merits, yet 

 the plant is even now not appreciated in the same degree as many 

 others which it is well qualified to displace. The ease wdth which 

 it may be grown, the extreme brightness and beauty of its blossoms, 

 and its stately and aristocratic appearance generally are all points 

 which should tell strongly in its favour. 



Possibly the size to w^hich it attains is a drawback to its employ- 

 ment in very small gardens, but these same gardens often accom- 

 ; modate a Dahlia, Sunflower, or even Hollyhock, which takes every 

 ! bit as much room as would a Canna, and which, moreover, has 

 no greater claims to distinction. As a back row plant in a wide 

 I border, a subject to break up the monotony of a fiat one, a centre 

 ! for a bed of dwarfer plants, or even as a filler of large beds by 

 I itself, the Canna has very few equals, and, all things considered, 

 { no superiors. Too tall, perhaps, for a wdndow box, on a verandah 

 ' or balcony it is supreme, and even makes a noble ornament in a 

 : vase or tub. A dwarf race with beautiful flowers now exists. 



Then, for conservatory, greenhouse, or dwelling-house decoration 

 what could be finer than a well-grown Canna or a group of its 

 well-flowered specimens ? For halls and corridors it forms a 

 [ splendid successor to the Arum Lily while that useful plant is 

 . resting, beautifies large fireplaces in a manner far beyond com- 



