228 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Siberia, and H. villosum (synonym H. gigan- 

 teum), Caucasus, grow 10 to 12 feet high and 

 wide-spreading. Suitable for the background or 

 semi-dressed portions of a sub-tropical garden. 

 Seeds in the open ground in April. Division in 

 spring. Hardy herbaceous. 



Hujiea elegans.— Forms graceful branching pyra- 

 mids of small flowers. Height 4 to 9 feet. At- 

 tractive in the centres of beds, or isolated and 

 plunged in the turf. Sow in June. Shift the 

 seedlings from small pots into larger sizes, winter- 

 ing strong plants on greenhouse shelves or stages. 

 Flower stems will develop the following spring. 

 Good loamy soil. Greenhouse biennial. 



Melianthus (Cape Honey Flower). — M. major, Cape 

 of Good Hope, 8 to 5 feet, handsome glaucous 

 foliage, and M. minor, a dwarfer form, are good 

 for isolated groups. Seeds in August or March in 

 gentle heat. Cuttings in sandy soil under hand- 

 glass at the same time and under similar condi- 

 tions. Ordinary rich soil. "Winter in a green- 

 house. Half-hardy shrub. 



Monsteha deliciosa. — A stout strong-growing Mexi- 

 can trailing plant with large highly ornamental 

 leaves. Seen to advantage against tree stems. 



Montanoa heracleifolia (Polymnia grandis). — 

 Mexico. Height 5 to 7 feet, grand foliage, and 

 effective in isolated groups. Seeds and stem 

 cuttings or shoots in April, kept close, till rooted 

 in a heated frame. Loamy soil. Warm green- 

 house perennial. 



Musa (Banana). — M. ensete, Abyssinia, 12 to 15 feet. 

 One of the noblest of sub-tropical plants, and of 

 all the Musas is the least liable to be torn by 

 winds. This and other species should be planted 

 or plunged in sheltered nooks. See also Stove 

 Plants. 



Nicotiana (Tobacco). —The common species, N. taba- 

 cum, develops into a stately plant, 6 feet high ; 

 but N. wigandioides, Columbia, 6 feet, a green- 

 house shrub, is the most ornamental. Seeds in 

 March, on the surface of the soil. Plant from 

 boxes or pots in June. 



Onopordon acanthinum (Common Cotton Thistle). 

 — A native plant ; 4 to 5 feet ; a vigorous, 

 handsome perennial ; recommended for the out- 

 lying parts of pleasure grounds. Sow in March 

 or April thinly in patches where the plants are to 

 grow. Thin to single plants. 



Ophiopogon (Snake's Beard).— The variegated form 

 of O. jaburan, better known as 0. spicatus, is 

 suitable for either ordinary summer bedding or 

 the sub-tropical garden. Height 6 to 8 inches j 



division ; sandy soil, with mortar rubbish added. 

 Greenhouse perennial. 



Paulownia imperialis. — Straight young plants, 

 well furnished with bold foliage down to the 

 ground, are most effective in either beds or 

 groups. Seeds in cold frame in either April or 

 August. Short cuttings of firm shoots under 

 hand-lights during the summer. Young plants 

 may be prepared in the open ground. Hardy 

 deciduous tree from Japan. 



Pennisetum latifolitjm. — Also known as Gymno- 

 thrix latifolia, a perennial grass from Montevideo, 

 and admirably adapted for the sub-tropical garden. 

 It forms bold handsome green leaves, while the 

 cane-like flower stems attain a height of 6 feet 

 and upwards. May be either massed or distri- 

 buted thinly among other kinds of plants with 

 bolder, coloured leaves, and dwarfer in habit. 

 Division of roots in the spring is the readiest 

 method of propagation, but plants may be had by 

 sowing seed in gentle heat during March. Plant 

 in rich ground and keep well supplied with water. 

 "Winter old clumps in boxes or pots filled with 

 rich moist soil, in a greenhouse temperature. 



Perilla nankinensis (synonym P. ocymoides 

 crispa). — A tender annual from China, with dark, 

 bronzy purple leaves. Height 12 to 15 inches. 

 Eaised similarly to amaranthuses. 



PncENix reclinata. — A stately yet elegant green- 

 house palm, and one of the best for garden deco- 

 ration in summer. 



PnoRMiusi (New Zealand flax). — P. tenax and P. 

 t. variegata have stiff flag-like leaves, and are 

 suitable for grouping on lawns. May be per- 

 manently planted in warm locabties, but in cold 

 districts should be kept in pots and wintered in 

 conservatories. Eaised from seeds in a green- 

 house temperature in March and by division in 

 spring before top growth commences. Loam, leaf 

 sod (or peat), and sand. Evergreen perennial. 



Polygonum (Knot Weed). — P. cuspidatum (synonym 

 P. Sieboldi), Japan, 3 to 6 feet; and P. sacha- 

 liense, Sachal, 10 to 15 feet, are the best of their 

 kinds for the sub-tropical garden. To be seen 

 at their best in isolated groups. Seeds in gentle 

 heat in March, or by division of roots in October 

 or March. Plant in deeply dug well-enriched 

 ground, and allow ample room. 



Eheum. — All the rhubarbs if grown strongly are 

 ornamental, and none more so than E. emodi, a 

 Himalayan species. Eaised from seed in March 

 or April on warm border, and increased by division 

 of roots when top growth commences. 



