October 8, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF EORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
309 
COMING EVENTS 
8 
Th 
-'ale of Bulbs at Protheroe’e Rooms, CheapBide. 
9 
F 
10 
S 
Sale of Bulbs at Stevens’ Rooms, Covent Garden. 
11 
SUN 
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. 
12 
M 
13 
Tu 
Royal Horticultural Society. Fruit and Floral Committees at 11' a.m. 
14 
W 
YUCCAS, OR PALM LILIES. 
HERE are few plants which in hold characteristic 
beauty can equal these in garden scenery. They 
are not, however, so frequently seen in gardens 
of a picturesque character as their merits entitle 
them to be, and they seem to be forgotten by 
planters and landscape gardeners. What is 
more stately or effective when judiciously planted 
in bold masses ? or what is more productive of 
tropical effect than these Yuccas ? Their value 
as flowering plants also should not he overlooked, for their 
giant panicles of creamy white bell-shaped flowers contrast 
most favourably with the various low-lying shrubs and Coni¬ 
ferous plants, which, unfortunately, are only too seldom 
found bearing them company. One of the finest groups 
known to me is that in the garden of Bitton Vicarage, which 
is very handsome, not three or four in formal assemblage. 
This group is in itself a great feature in Canon Ellacombe’s 
garden, and one which might advantageously be imitated in 
gardens generally, where diversity of foliage would lend 
additional charms to the landscape. There are many places 
in the garden suited to display these to advantage—such, for 
instance, as on the margins of large shrubberies, in prominent 
positions on the lawn, or on the summit of a mound, where 
the pendulous-leaved species may, perhaps, be most useful. 
The large rock garden also affords positions in which such 
plants would be perfectly at home, and in the construction a 
spacious fissure might be left for the purpose. If memory 
serves me there are some examples of this style of planting 
on the large rockery of Dr. Latimer Clark of Sydenham Hill, 
whose garden, it may be remarked, illustrates in a variety of 
ways the value of judicious selection and planting. Then 
there are one or two species of smaller dimensions, which are 
by no means out of place in the small rockery amongst 
Sedums, Sempervivums, or similar plants. 
The genus itself is noted for the somewhat slow growth 
of all its members, and in many cases it takes years, depend¬ 
ing much, however, on the soil and situation, before they 
make handsome specimens. When once planted they should 
remain undisturbed, for they are somewhat impatient of much 
interference at the root. They are increased by seeds or by 
offsets, which in some species are found rather numerously 
about the bases of the plants. These should be stripped off 
with a heel attached, and if examined previously a root or 
two may he found attached in some cases. They are also 
increased by “ toes,” which are the long white fleshy roots 
which protrude from the main body, that if left alone would 
ultimately produce suckers. When moving the plants these 
roots may be detached and placed in boxes of earth in slight 
warmth, where they will soon commence growth ; or in the 
case of valuable and rare species or varieties they may be 
cut into several pieces after the manner of the stems of 
Dracasnas, and if placed in gentle bottom heat the majority 
will break into growth. 
Some of the Yuccas are among the oldest inhabitants of 
our gardens, and in the case of the well-known Yucca gloriosa 
No. 276.Yon. XI., Third Series. 
it is now verging on three centuries since its introduction 
from North America, and notwithstanding this great lapse 
of time it still remains one of the noblest, adapted either for 
grouping or isolated positions. Its general aspect is somewhat 
rigid. It attains large proportions, and is rendered conspicu¬ 
ous by its massive bearing, the flower stems not unfrequently 
attaining a height of 6 feet or more. The panicles are large, 
bearing a great number of white flowers. A very distinct 
variety known as glaucescens is equally ornamental in all 
respects. The leaves are broadly concave, and assume a 
pleasing glaucous hue. The flower stems are not so tall as 
in the type. Another variety with narrow leaves is angus- 
tifolia. 
The next useful species for outdoor decoration is Y. 
recurva, a very graceful and exceedingly handsome plant. This 
grows about 4 feet high, the leaves of which are well recurved. 
Small plants of this are very serviceable for large vases in the 
terrace garden or for various similar purposes of decoration. 
The flowers are arranged in panicles, and are creamy white 
slightly tinged with red on the outside. It is certainly one of 
the best and most ornamental of the group. Y. flaccida is very 
distinct and noteworthy, as it forms clumps. It is not 
unusual to have three or four flower stems annually from 
one clump, the height being about 2 feet. 
Yucca filamentosa and its forms afford a very pleasing 
variety. The typical plant is an old inhabitant of gardens, 
and comes from Virginia, height about 3 feet, with creamy 
flowers. Y. filamentosa antwerpensis is a distinct form of 
the preceding, with long narrow erect glaucous leaves, 
having only few filaments on the margin, the flowers sulphur 
tinted with green. The variegated-leaved form of this plant 
has no equal among hardy plants in the open ground, being 
perfectly hardy, and when placed among greenhouse plants 
fills a position of equal prominence. A large bed of this has 
stood unprotected for several years in the Chilwell Nurseries. 
It makes an excellent bed, and where sufficient exists it 
might with advantage be thus employed, filling the spaces 
with spring flowering bulbs, such as Scillas, Chionodoxa, 
Dog’s-tooth Violets, Anemones, and a group or two of 
Liliums. This Yucca succeeds in equal parts of peat and 
turfy loam, a mixture which will well suit the plants I 
have named ; and such a bed when well established would 
no doubt be productive of good effect. It may be best to 
employ coloured Liliums. Colchicums, too, among autumn 
bulbs would be very useful in this way. 
A noble plant is Y. Treculeana, which is of Mexican origin, 
and allied to Y. canaliculata. Its general habit is more 
erect, with narrower leaves. The flower stem attains a 
height of 4 feet, and is much branched. These are furnished 
with long varnished yellow and white flowers with reddish 
bracts. This is still an uncommon plant in gardens, and is 
one of the most desirable of this genus. Y. canaliculata 
is still a very fine species, and one whose value must not he 
underrated; indeed, it is sometimes regarded as synonymous 
with Y. Treculeana, though quite distinct from it. The 
leaves are long, broad, much concaved, and of a dark green 
margined with red. It is very ornamental. Very distinct 
and rare is the small growing Y. Whipplei, suited for the rock 
garden in a good sunny position. The leaves are rather 
narrow, somewhat tapermg, and of a glaucous hue. Not 
having seen any very large examples of this I am not sure of 
the height which it usually attains. Nearly related to it is 
Y. stricta from Carolina, which seldom exceeds a foot in 
height. It also is adapted for association with the one pre¬ 
viously named. 
In Y. aloifolia variegata we have one of the most con¬ 
spicuous of greenhouse foliage plants, and one equally well 
suited for sub-tropical arrangements out of doors in summer. 
All the year round it is attractive. Distinct from all existing 
forms is its thick Aloe-like leaves, which are somewhat fleshy. 
Being comparatively hardy it does not require much artificial 
heat—indeed, it is even more hardy than the type in this 
No. 1932. —Vol. LXXIII., Old Series. 
