264 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 23, 1899- 
||ints for ||mateurs. 
Planting up Odd Corners.—The suggestion came to 
me that now at this season, when alterations to 
grounds and new plantings of hardy plants, trees 
and shrubs are being made everywhere, a few hints 
on what has been termed "wild gardening" may 
fittingly be given. The term may seem a paradox to 
some, because if gardening is to be synonymous 
with culture the adjective before the noun would 
really make the term ludicrous. But without 
further mounting of words upon words, be it known 
that the term implies the use of hardy exotic plants, 
the best of hardy plants, from all other temperate 
lands, for planting as adornment to copses, wood¬ 
land belts, looser shrubberies, and the outer parts 
of the pleasure grounds. Around the larger villa 
gardens, no less than the environs of a large man¬ 
sion, one may find sometimes a half, sometimes a 
whole or much more than a whole, acre of ground 
on which grows some of our hardy weeds enjoying a 
fat existence. In place thereof I write to advocate 
a method of planting which will raise the value of 
your garden, both in your own and other people’s 
eyes, and which from its increased beauties will 
furnish you with a tenfold greater interest and love 
for the pleasures which it will return. 
The Selection.—Necessarily the finest of hardy 
border plants will still be confined to parts where 
more exact treatment can be given to them, and 
when the delicacy or purity of colour or form can 
be conveniently enjoyed. For these we must still 
have well disposed beds and borders. But there are 
a large number of plants which prove too coarse, 
and, in fact, are ugly when confined to 8 ft. or io ft. 
borders. Some of the Michaelmas Daisies, Telekia 
speciosa, Golden Rods, Eryngiums, and others 
which might be mentioned are those I refer to. 
When these are well arranged in great massive bor¬ 
ders, which have likewise massive surroundings in the 
shape of tall, old walls, well disposed fruit trees, &c., 
they are not inharmonious, not in the least, yet very, 
very often tall, even monstrous, plants of the sorts 
named are placed in quite restricted surroundings to 
their own detraction and the detriment of neighbour¬ 
ing plants. Far better is it to let these sway their 
tall stems unencompassed in great breadths where 
the truest of their beauty may be shown, and them¬ 
selves perfectly developed. For wild gardening we 
have such plants as Day Lilies, Columbines, Crane's- 
bills, herbaceous Asters, Honeysuckles, Bindweeds, 
Brambles, and other innumerable host of dwarf, but 
very showy plants, such as Wood Hyacinths, 
Muscari, Forget-me-Nots, all sorts of Primroses, 
Snowdrops, Crocuses, Daffodils, especially the 
Poet's, Evening Primroses, Violets, Saxifragas, &c. 
Acanthus or Bear’s Brush, —I wish just to call 
attention to this peculiar, if not pretty, genus of 
hardy plants. Their botanical peculiarities need 
not be referred to here; suffice it only to mention 
that they have an interest within them. Their 
handsome, dark, and much cut-up foliage, surmounted 
by tall, stiff flower spikes, which bear hood-like stiff 
scales, give them a considerable dignity of appear¬ 
ance. I should not recommend them for the flower 
border, but to be planted rather in bold, irregular 
groups close by massive rockwork, or not far from 
the shade of broad-leaved trees adjoining ornamental 
water. Any deep and open soil will answer the 
plants’ needs. A. spinosus, A. longifolia, and A. 
mollis are all worthy. 
Incarvillea Delavayi.—Of this plant it may be 
remembered that a sketch appeared in The Garden¬ 
ing World early last summer. It is really a splendid 
border herbaceous plant, which should be absent 
from no garden. It prefers a deep rich sandy loam, 
and a sunny position with about 2 in. of soil over its 
crowns. The planting may now be left over till 
February or March, unless suitably mild weather 
takes the place of the present wintery conditions. 
Planting Roses. —It is well-known that liberal 
plantings of Roses are made during the early spring 
months, or say till about the middle of April, and 
though for various reasons I prefer autumn planting, 
still the fact remains. I have not hitherto made the 
suggestion, but do we not err in planting Roses so 
widely as we do? Well, perhaps not, not in these 
present times of high culture, because the plants 
send out strong growths, and it would be utterly im¬ 
possible to work among them get at those in the 
centre of a bed, say, if they were planted closely. 
Then Mildews and other contagious diseases would 
certainly be encouraged by the practice. 
Tea and Noisettes are often to be seen 4 ft. or 
more apart, but this is presumably for the sake of 
getting some bedding plants between them. 
Climbing Roses, and Roses attached, or intended 
to be trained around the basal trunks of trees, should 
always be planted in firm and rich soil. A yard or 
a yard and half of good unctuous loam is not too 
much to allow to every bush which you plant. It is 
also advocated by very old and experienced Rosarians, 
that in planting Roses at the base of grown trees, the 
north side should always be chosen as a rooting 
area. The idea for this practice is because that the 
roots of the trees are in much greater abundance on 
the south side, drawn there by the summer condi¬ 
tions. So the roots of Roses get the soil on the 
north side more fully to themselves. Upon the aye 
and no of this matter I will leave the reader tojudge 
individually. Any suggestions upon the subject 
would be gladly received by me, and would certainly 
create an interest in this branch of the subject. 
Vases. —Here again the object in mentioning these 
is just to draw attention to an item or items of 
decoration which are overlooked at this period of 
year, which one finds afterwards would have been 
the most convenient in which to make the plan and 
arrangements. Vases are of various forms, sizes, 
and quality. The ordinary plaster vases which one 
sees surmounting parapets are objects of beauty 
when skilfully filled. These are then instances of 
the right articles in the proper place. Vases are 
also convenient and tasteful additions to parts of the 
flower garden. Perhaps their proper position is as 
ornamental accessories in those cases where the plan 
of the flower garden shows too lengthy a stretch of 
level surface and beds. These examples are not un¬ 
common. Instances might be cited where there ate 
long, central reserved plots, wherein are beds laid 
out in grass with walks on either side. In such 
places as these, various sizes and various heights of 
vases dotted at suitable distances between the beds, 
are the most proper things that one could employ. 
Yuccas in Groups. — Yucca gloriosa, Y. g. supetba, 
and Y. g. recurvata only need be referred to in order 
to call up features which, wherever found in gardens, 
especially with an Ivy and rough stone formation 
around the group, are the simplest and most charm¬ 
ing which the designer-ever adopts.— Beacon. 
---— 
Correspondence. 
Questions asked by amateurs on any subject pertaining 
to gardens or gardening will be answered on this page. 
Anyone may give additional or more explanatory answers 
to questions that have already appeared. Those who desire 
their communications to appear on this page should write 
"Amateurs' Page " on the top of their letters. 
Selection of Berry-bearing Hardy Plants. — 
‘‘Arborist" : An article which we hope will be of 
service to you and others will shortly appear. The 
following may be taken as suitable berry-bearing 
shrubs or plantsThe common Holly, Mistleto 
(Viscum album),Privet and the shrubby Ivy (Hedera 
Helix arborescens), which each bear black trusses of 
berries, Symphoricarpus racemosus, or Snowberry 
bush, Crataegus Pyracantha, Cotoneasters in variety, 
Iris foetidissima, Rowan tree or Mountain Ash 
(Pyrus Aucuparia), Berberis vulgaris, and Gaul- 
theria procumbens are among a number which 
arise, to our mind, as being suitable for decorations 
at this time. 
Permanent Evergreen for Walls. — J. Sumlow: 
We would go no further than the Ivies for climbing 
plants suitable as wall coverings. They furnish a 
beautiful selection. Endeavour to consult any well 
known grower. 
A Primrose Garden .—"Modesty ” ; Primrose bor¬ 
ders are frequent enough, but not so whole gardens 
of Primroses. Like many of our correspondents, 
your details are scanty, but never mind. You know 
what area you have to spare ; plan this to your own 
taste and the work of doing all by yourself will give 
you an undying interest in the plot. Choose a 
moderately-shaded place, work and enrich the soil 
well, have small, well-made paths (an article appears 
soon) and introduce here and there a suitable group 
of dwarf shrubs, vase with column, etc , but leave 
plenty of space for irregular beds or long sweeping 
borders. Lastly, in planting, secure only decided 
colours and "mass” plants all of one shade. Do 
this tastefully and your Primrose garden will be suc¬ 
cessfully accomplished. 
A Reserve Garden — S. Errol : A capital thought, 
and one which in larger-sized places is an accom¬ 
plished fact from necessity. A walled-off portion 
in a sunny position and where the soil is warm, well 
drained and light should alone be selected. Much 
of the home stuff can be reared here. 
Easily Grown Orchids. — J. J ., Bath : With some 
gardeners anything seems to be easily grown, while 
others have much to complain of. Try Odonto- 
glossum grande, O. crispum, O. Pescatorei, Oncid- 
ium recurvum, O. concolor, Dendrobium nobile, D. 
thyrsiflorum, D. densiflorum, Sophronitis grandi- 
flora, Coelogyne cristata, Cypripedium insigne, and 
a few other Cypripediums. 
Geraniums as Standards .—Huntly : From cut¬ 
tings taken now you can have plants of 2 ft. or 2§ ft. 
high by this time twelvemonth. Confine them to a 
leading shoot, rubbing off any buds along the stem. 
Five or six-inch pots are large enough for the first 
year. After having rested the plants for a short 
time pot them into a larger size, at the same time 
pinching the top off, care having been taken to leave 
some top buds for forming a head from. Some of the 
out growing shoots should be kept nearly horizontal. 
Cherry-pie or Heliotropium — H. J. J .: The 
winter blooming plants are now yielding their sweetly 
fragrant flowers, and afford a capital contrast to the 
equally pleasant Roman Hyacinths. They are nice 
decorators all through the dull season. Wait now 
till the end of March before taking cuttings. 
Solanum jasminoides — Greenhouse: Apretiy plant. 
It produces large trusses of pure white flowers during 
summer and early autumn. The plant is half 
hardy, and can be propagated by cuttings of the firm 
wood or by layering. As a climber or as a trained 
specimen few plants surpass it. Now is the time to 
plant it, allowing the roots some liberality, and 
according it a cheery position on the sunniest posi¬ 
tion of your lean-to house. 
Ixoras. — R. J., Earlston : It requires some skill 
and close attention to do Ixoras well. Old plants 
cannot be pruned hard back in any haphazard 
fashion. Evidently your samples would be the 
better for practice in this respect, and if you care 
we will forward you the address of one of our able 
subscribers near to you who would be pleased to 
advise. Top-dress or re-pot them, keeping a warm, 
moist temperature. 
Nephrolepis exaltata.— E. Sowerby : Baskets will 
answer. Use a compost as follows:—Two and a 
half parts turfy loam, half part first-class lumpy 
peat, one-sixth part dry manure with sand and some 
charcoal to keep the mixture sweet. Make this firm, 
and water with tepid water. The temperature 
should be maintained at 63° to 68° during winter. 
Crimson Rambler Rose.— J. L .: Your idea is 
good, and has been often accomplished. Spread out 
the long shoots, peg them hard down, having notched 
them a little at the bend, and from these shoots 
others will grow upward. Prepare a rich deep bed 
before you begin to peg down the shoots. 
CytiBus andreanus.— A. J. M.: May be grafted on 
to the common Broom, and it will form a feature of 
interest to have a portion of the Broom all yellow- 
flowered, and another portion chocolate and yellow. 
Wait till April. 
Hardy Perenniais for East Yorkshire.— F., 
Ganton: Wood Lily (Trillium grandiflorum), Christ¬ 
mas Roses (Helleborus niger), Primroses, Polyan¬ 
thuses, Papaver orientale, P. bracteatum, Tritoma 
grandiflora, T. uvaria, and vars., Asters or Michael¬ 
mas Daisies, Sunflowers, Day Lilies, German and 
Siberian Irises, Iberis sempervirens, Adonis vernalis, 
Acanthus mollis, Achillea in variety, Lychnis chal- 
cedonica, Lupines, Doronicums, Centranthus ruber, 
Chelone barbatum, Epilobium angustifolium, 
Echinops, Eremurus, Pyrethrums, besides many 
other taller plants. Ranunculus, Geraniums, Pole- 
monium, Saxifragas, .Phloxes (dwarf), Sedums, &c., 
may be included. 
