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THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Sedlim (Stonecrops). — This is a large family, to which 

 belongs the little creeping Stonecrop ; but the many kinds 

 are of varying habit of growth, some fitted only for the 

 rock garden, others happy in either this place or the 

 mixed border. All will grow in ordinary garden soil, and 

 may be propagated freely by parting the roots in spring. 

 The most frequent kind is S. acre, which is seen on walls, 

 rocks, and similar places ; it makes a charming plant for 

 edging, its greyish tone being very distinct through the 

 winter months. The most conspicuous variety is aureum, 

 so called because of the yellow colour of the ends of the 

 growths Another good kind for edgings is S Ewersi, 

 which has rosy purple flowers in profusion in summer, 

 and all the 

 following are 

 pretty on the 

 rock garden, or 

 wherever an un- 

 common edging 

 is desired : S. 

 glau c u in , S . 

 Kamtschaticum, 

 the purple- 

 flowered S. 

 pulchellum, S. 

 L y d i u m , S . 

 rupestre, t h e 

 brilliant- 

 flowered S. sem- 

 pervivoides, and 

 S. stoloniferum. 

 The p u r p 1 e - 

 s t e m m e d S . 

 atropu rpureuni 

 must not be for- 

 gotten, nor our 

 native S. Tele- 

 phium, or the 

 dwarf S . 



Sieboldi and its SEDUM 

 variegated 



variety, so frequently grown in pots in the greenhouse. 

 As popular as any Stonecrop is S. spectabile, which is a 

 noble kind making quite a little bush, covered with rosv 

 flowers in late summer, these continuing to appear until 

 the time of frost. It is a plant for town as well as country 

 gardens requiring no particular soil, and will even grew 

 in shade. Its glaucous, fleshy leaves are also pretty. 



SemperviVlim. — This isthe Ilouseleek family, interesting 

 and useful for the rock garden or to add a note of 

 colour to old walls. S. tectorum is the common Ilouse- 

 leek, which colours many a cottage thatch, and is some- 

 times used as an edging to beds in the flower garden. 

 Houseleeks may be placed where few other plants thrive, 

 such as dry sunny spots in the garden, chinks in walls, 

 and even in the border. They are difficult to kill, and 

 may be increased with the utmost ease by offsets. One 

 of the prettiest kinds, which should only be planted in the 

 rock garden, is the Cobweb Houseleek (S. arachnoideum ), 

 so named because the little tufts are covered with a veil 

 suggesting a cobweb. S. alropurpurea is used in forming 

 carpet bed designs. A handsome Ilouseleek is cali- 

 fornicum, which is a deep green rosette of leaves tipped 

 with a brownish red colour. This should be planted in 

 every garden, as it is as free in growth as the common 

 Houseleek and much richer in colour. Other good 

 Houseleeks are S. flagelliforme, S. glohiferum, S. mon- 

 tanum, and S. triste. 



SeneClO. — A bold, showy group of hardy flowers, 

 S. elegans, the purple Jacobcea, being the annual kind. 

 Of the perennials, S. japonicus is very handsome, and 

 may be naturalised in moist places, such as by the water- 

 side, or in some damp hollow where the soil is deep rich 

 loam. It is useless to plant it in poor ground. The 

 growth is upwards of 5ft. in height, and the leaves quite 

 leathery in textuie and much divided, whilst the flowers 

 are large and deep orange in colour. Another noble 

 kind is S. pulcher, one of the brightest of late autumn 



flowers. So late is its season of blooming that frosts 

 sometimes spoil the display. It grows between 2ft. and 

 3ft. in height, and like S. japonicus needs a rich loam 

 and moisture. Give this plant a rather shady spot 

 sheltered from harsh winds, not from any tenderness of 

 constitution, but to shield the flowers from frost and 

 protect the big fleshy "leaves. Its flowers, carried on 

 branching stems, are of rich colouiing, deep purple rose 

 set off by a golden centre. The way to propagate this 

 kind is by taking root cuttings in spring. Cut them into 

 1 in. lengths, and place in shallow pans of light soil, and 

 in * greenhouse, which will afford sufficient warmth to 

 stimulate growth. S. Doronicum is effective, and the 



little alpine 

 orange- flowered 

 S. abrotanifolius 

 may be placed 

 in the rock 

 garden. 



Shortia galaei- 

 folia.— This is 

 a very beautiful 

 rock garden 

 plant from 

 North America. 

 It is not com- 

 ]?t mon in English 

 gardens, but is 

 too dainty and 

 distinct to pass 

 over. The 

 flowers are white 

 and like little 

 frilled bells, on 

 short crimson- 

 toned stems. It 

 is very free 

 blooming, and 

 makes a tuft of 

 leaves which 

 change in 



autumn to brilliant colours. The plant is quite hardy, 

 and delights in loamy, well-drained soil, with sandstone 

 about the collar, whilst it is charming grown in a cool or 

 cold house, as the flowers are purer than in the open. 

 Propagate by seed and division. 

 SilphilimS are strong-growing perennials, more fitted for 

 ihe rougher parts of the garden, such as by woodland 

 and shrubbery walks, than for the mixed border. They 

 are of vigorous growth, with stems from 6ft. to 8ft. in 

 height, and yellow flowers. S. laciniatum, S. tere- 

 binthinaceum, and S. trifoliatum are amongst the best- 

 known kinds. They are not unlike the single perennial 

 Sunflowers, needing a strong soil, and may be increased 

 by root division in autumn or spring. When planting in 

 the woodland, the only true eftect is obtained by grouping 

 them. 



Sisyrinehium grandiflorum. — Thisis the Satin-flower, 



so called from the satiny sheen upon the pretty drooping 

 petals. The Sisyrinehium belongs to the same familyas the 

 Iris, having grassy leaves, and slender stems about 8in. 

 high, upon which are poised the purplish bell-shaped 

 flowers, white in the variety album. They appear in quite 

 the early spring, and the bulbs require light sandy soils, 

 selecting warm nooks and corners upon the rock garden. 

 To increase stock, divide in autumn. Sisyrinchiums are 

 very pretty under a hedge. 

 SoldanellaS. — See rock garden. 



SolidagO. — The Solidago is the Golden Rod which flowers 

 so freely in the autumn. The various kinds are rich 

 yellow, for the most part, and too coarse as a rule except 

 for the rougher borders or wilder parts of the garden. 

 S. arguta, S. canadensis. S. serotina, and S. Virgaurea are 

 as good as any. Very hardy, and succeed in any soil. 

 Solomon's Seal. — Few hardy plants are more graceful 

 than this, known as Polygonatum, and P. multiflorum is 

 the most beautiful of all, its arching stems from 2ft. to 3ft. 

 in height, and lined with creamy white flowers. The 



