404 



SUB-TROPICAL GARDENING. 



ways, and require as little attention as any, may be the 

 first to note. Fine plants standing singly look well if 

 planted in contrast with flowering plants around them, 

 or in groups, not as are sometimes seen, in thick masses, 

 all of one variety of foliage, but judiciously mixed or 

 intermixed with other tall-growing plants. When the 

 early frosts come, they retain their freshness after many 

 of the more tender plants are killed, and a fine effect may 

 be made by mixing Zea Japojiica, vat-it-gata with cannas 

 in a group, the 

 dark foliage and 

 brilliant flowers 

 contrasting admir- 

 ably with the va- 

 riegated foliage of 

 the zea. Their 

 roots may be 

 stored in sand in 

 winter, and divid- 

 ed to increase the 

 stock, or they may 

 be raised by seed. 

 Aralia papyri- 



fera (Chinese Rice 

 Plant), although a 

 native of the hot 



island of Formo- 

 sa, if planted in a 



sheltered position 

 (to protect it from 



cutting winds), 



grows as luxur- 

 iantly as in its own 



native island and 



i s very effective 



when planted in 



contrast with the 



dark green foliage 



of other shrubs. 



Aralia Sieboldii is 



more effective and 



useful when plant- 

 ed young than 



when allowed to 



become lanky and 



branched. It is 



usually raised by 



root cuttings, but 



is equally as good 



from seed. 



Dracaenas (Cordyline) are indispensable for the 

 sub-tropical garden, but are best in large plants and 

 plunged in the ground singly. In the South of France 

 and many of the southern countries of Europe, I have 

 seen them growing to a height of twenty or more feet, 

 with their majestic heads peering above the lower grow- 

 ing shrubs and plants around them. This refers, of 

 course, to the green varieties, such as D. Jndica, aiistra- 

 lis, congesta, lineata and a few others. The highly 



Fig. 7. Flowers of Prunos 

 Japonica. Natural Size. 



colored varieties will not do well in our northern cli- 

 mates. 



Acacia lophantha is one of the most useful plants, 

 with its mimosa-like foliage, and if planted in a good 

 rich soil amongst other flowering plants, gives a good 

 effect and gives but little shade to the plants around it. 

 It may be raised easily from seed, and will be ready for 

 planting in May or June, if sown early in the year ; but 

 where room can be spared plants a year old are much 

 better, as they can be better hardened off and are more 

 sturdy than those raised the same season. 



Caladium csctiUntinii is another plant of bold and 

 striking outline, that may be employed in many ways 

 with good effect. A small group of three or four con- 

 trast well with other plants, or planted singly in vases, 

 or on a rockery are equally effective. In winter their 

 tubers may be stored in sand, or the plants may be used 

 to garnish the conservatory. 



Ficiis elastica (India-Rubber Plant) is a fine old plant ; 

 although many years in cultivation, it has only recently 

 been introduced to the flower garden. It is as useful in 

 the sub-tropical garden, and equally at home, as it is in 

 the greenhouse or drawing-room, and it not only exists 

 in good health but makes a good growth under the in- 

 fluence of the summer sun out of doors. It is best 

 grown on a single stem. It is used in many ways, ac- 

 cording to the height of the plants about it. 



Ferdinaiida einincns is one of the tallest and noblest of 

 sub-tropical plants. If planted in a rich soil in a warm 

 humid position, it will grow over twelve feet high. It 

 may be grown freely from cuttings taken from the old 

 plants, or it is more advisable to keep a stock in pots 

 during the summer for this purpose. 



Phoniiiiim tenax (New Zealand Flax) is not so much 

 used in the garden as it deserves to be. Large plants 

 are very effective if plunged in the turf singly on a lawn, 

 and smaller plants may be used in many ways. The 

 variegated form is even more useful where color is re- 

 quired, but it is, as far as I am aware, rather scarce, 

 although it is equally as free growing as the green 

 variety. 



Polymma grandis is a plant which seldom becomes 

 ragged or unsightly, as some of the sub-tropical plants 

 do, P. pyraiiiidalis and P . uiaciilata are equally as use- 

 ful. P. pyramidalis grows to a height of eight or nine 

 feet. They all strike easily from cuttings, and are best 

 planted out in a young state to insure fresh and unstint- 

 ed growth. 



Mtisa Enselc, the great Abyssinian Banana, is certainly 

 one of the finest and noblest of all sub-tropical plants. 

 Besides its noble appearance, it withstands the heavy 

 rains and storms without laceration, unlike M. para- 

 disiaca and M. sapienluiii, which are often torn into 

 threads by the storms and rains. In winter it thrives 

 well in an ordinary conservatory or winter garden. At 

 present it is comparatively scarce, but when taken up 

 by nurserymen, it will no doubt become more plentiful. 



Not a more imposing and more useful plant than the 

 ricinus or castor-oil bean can be found in the garden. 



