GROUPING AND PLANTING. 



229 



Rhus glabra laciniata (Fern-leaved Sumach). — 

 Height 4 to 7 feet, but most ornamental in a 

 young state. Cuttings of firm shoots, G inches 

 long, in sandy soil under hand-lights, in October 

 and Novembor. Root cuttings and layering at 

 the same time. Ordinary soil. Hardy deciduous 

 tree from North America. 



Ricinus communis (Castor Oil plant). — Height 3 to j 

 feet. All the varieties are ornamental, R. Gibsoni, 

 a comparatively dwarf variety with purple leaves, 

 meeting with most favour. Easily raised from 

 seed sown in heat during April, singly, in 3- inch 

 pots and good light soil. Plant out of these in June 

 in beds of moderately rich soil. Tender annuals. 



Seaforthia elegans. — A tall-growing palm suitable 

 for grouping in sheltered positions. See Green- 

 house Palms. 



SoLANUMS. — Species with bold foliage are used effec- 

 tively in largo beds. Some of the best are S. 

 marginatum, Abyssinia, 2 to 3 feet, silvery, spiny 

 leaves ; S. robustum, Brazd, 3 to 4 feet, large, 

 prickly, reddish-brown leaves; and S. Wars- 

 cewiczi, 4 feet, stems and leaf stalks reddish in 

 colour, leaves large and prickly ; a fine variety. 

 Seeds in heat, March. Plant out of 5-inch pots 

 in June ; good garden soil. Tender annuals. 



Stachys lanata.— Serviceable for edging large beds. 

 See Spring Bedding Plants (page 189). 



Veronica Andersoni variegata. — Handsome silver 

 variegated greenhouse shrub, good for either 

 ordinary or sub-tropical beds. Side shoots under 

 hand-lights in July and August, also in heat in 

 March. Ordinary soil. 



Wig andi A. — W. niacrophylla, better known as AV. 

 caracassana, is the species principally grown. 

 Stiff, erect growth, 3 to 4 feet, with large, 

 thick leaves. Sow on the smoothed surface 

 of a pan of soil in February, and place in brisk 

 heat. Transplant the seedlings early, and keep 

 them growing in heat, planting out in large 

 beds in June. Tender annual. 



Yucca (Adam's Needle).— A large family comprising 

 numerous ornamental species; some hardy, and 

 others requiring protection in winter. Y. lila- 

 mentosa, hardy ; Y. f. variegata, greenhouse ; 

 Y. gloriosa recurva, hardy, are among the 

 best for sub-tropical grouping. Divisions and 

 offsets in March and April; root-cuttings in 

 the spring, in gentle heat. Loam, leaf soil and 

 sand. 



Zea japonica. — See Summer Bedding Plants. 

 Easily raised and grown (see page 219). 



GEOUPING AND PLANTING. 



Where large flower gardens, laid out in a geometrical design (such as is repre- 

 sented in Fig. 113, next page), have to be planted annually, plans should be drawn 

 every summer when the garden is in its best floral dress, and coloured according to 

 the arrangement it is proposed shall be adopted the following May. By deciding thus 

 early what it is desirable to plant, a sufficient number of the different kinds and 

 varieties selected can be propagated accordingly, and there will be no space wasted 

 under glass in wintering such plants as may not after all be required. Even when 

 there are only a few large isolated beds and borders to fill, it is well to act in the same 

 manner ; deferring the summer arrangements till spring is a much too common 

 mistake. 



"Where the beds are grouped they must be so filled as to agree with each other, a 

 good balance being maintained both as regards the habits of the plants employed and 

 their colours. Uniformity is desirable, but it does not follow that painfully neat planting 

 and training ought always to prevail. The flower gardens that give the greatest amount 

 of satisfaction are those which comprise an extensive variety of effective plants, not 



