226 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



worthy of inclusion in select lists. Propagated by 

 cuttings of the roots in March or April. Loam leaf 

 soil, or peat and sand. Greenhouse plants. 



Areca sapida.— A New Zealand Palm, suitable for 

 plunging in the turf during summer. See Palms. 



Arundo. — A. conspicua, New Zealand. Somewhat 

 resembles, and is a worthy companion to the 

 Pampas Grass. A. Donax, a tall reed from the 

 South of Europe, grows to the height of 10 feet, 

 and the strikingly handsome variegated form 



A. D. versicolor, which is less vigorous, should 

 also be grown. Division of the roots in the spring. 

 Loamy soil. Eough protection needed in the 

 winter. 



Asplenium nidus- avis. — Strong plants of this massive 

 East-Indian fern are most suitable for grouping on 

 the turf in sheltered, shaded positions. See Ferns. 



Bam u usa. — Most of the Bamboos are elegant and 

 desirable, though all are not alike hardy. The 

 most reliable are B. metake, Japan, 5 to 7 feet ; 



B. edulis, North China, 8 to 10 feet; and B. 

 viridi glaucescens, synonym B. nana, North China, 

 7 to 12 feet ; B. aurea, China, 6 to 10 feet ; B. 

 falcata, Himalayas, 7 to 15 feet, and other highly 

 decorative species may be wintered in a cool house 

 or conservatory, and turned out in April. Increased 

 by division of the plants in March. Loamy soil. 



Beet. — The dark or crimson-leaved varieties with 

 edible roots are sometimes used in connection with 

 both ordinary or sub-tropical bedding plants. The 

 Chilian species are coarser, colouring variable, and 

 are the most suited to the sub-tropical garden. 

 Seeds may either be sown in April, thinly, where 

 the plants are to grow, or plants may be raised 

 under glass and planted out late in May. 



Blechnum brasiliense. — One of the smaller tree 

 ferns suitable for grouping on the turf. See Ferns. 



Bocconia cordata. — China. A hardy, herbaceous 

 species, with strong, handsome growths, 5 to 8 

 feet in length. Cuttings of young shoots under 

 hand-glass from June to August, or by suckers. 

 Plant in groups in rich, loamy soil. 



Caladium esculentum. — A New Zealand species, 

 with noble green leaves borne on long stout foot- 

 stalks. Start the tubers in March in heat, 

 divide, grow the plants to a good size, and plant 

 out in June. In the autumn lift, dry, and store 

 the tubers in a dry place, and protect from frost. 



Cannas (Indian Shot). — There are a large number of 

 these, mostly obtained from South America and 

 other warm countries. Some are grown solely for 

 the beauty of their leaves, while the later addi- 

 tions, notably Crozy's Hybrids, are valuable alike 



for the beauty of their foliage and spikes of 

 gladioli-like flowers. Effective in masses. In- 

 creased by division of the crowns after growth 

 has commenced, and by seeds. The latter are 

 remarkably hard, and must be treated similarly 

 to those of Acacia lophantha (page 224) . In the 

 autumn lift and pot the best varieties, as they 

 will continue to flower in warm conservatories. 

 Store the commoner kinds in moderately warm, 

 dry positions. See index for coloured plate. 



Cannabis sativa (Hemp Plant). — A tall-growing 

 annual from India and Persia, with elegant foliage, 

 height 4 to 9 feet. Sow in April where the 

 plants are to grow, and thin out the seedlings 

 severely. May also be raised under glass and 

 planted out from 3-inch pots. 



Caryota sobolifera. — This tall-growing palm is good 

 for grouping in the open air in summer. See Palms. 



Centaureas. — Clementei, candidissima, and ragu- 

 sina are elegant silvery-leaved perennials from 

 the south of Europe. In a young state they are 

 effective among ordinary summer bedding plants, 

 while the larger plants are suitable for mixed 

 beds. Seeds and divisions. Sow in heat during 

 January, prick out the seedlings in small pots, 

 keeping them in gentle heat long enough to attain 

 a serviceable size. Side shoots and stem cuttings, 

 inserted singly in small pots, and plunged in ashes 

 under hand-lights in September, kept close and not 

 over-watered, will emit roots. Winter in cold 

 frames or pots and bed out early. 



Chamtepeuce. — C. Casabonse with green and C. 

 diacantha with silvery spiny leaves are handsome 

 thistle-like plants, and the last-named is most 

 ornamental. Good for either carpet or sub- 

 tropical beds. Sow in pans in a cold frame in 

 September, and winter the plants singly in small 

 })ots on greenhouse shelves, or sow in heat during 

 February, and plant out of small pots in May. 



Chajvlerops. — C. excelsa and C. Fortunei are stiff- 

 growing palms and nearly hardy. Suitable for 

 lawn decoration. 



Cineraria maritima. — This and C. acanthifolia are 

 both elegant silvery-leaved forms, easily raised 

 from seed sown in heat during March, or from 

 side-shoots slipped off old plants kept through 

 the winter in a greenhouse. They move well out 

 of either pots or boxes. Evergreen perennials, 

 and good substitutes for Centaureas. 



Corypiia australis.— A somewhat bold and service- 

 able palm. Good for lawn decoration. 



Cyathea dealbata. — This noble tree-fern is highly 

 effective in groups or isolated in sheltered nooks. 



