648 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 9, 1900. 
||ints for ||mateurs. 
A Hardy Fern Dell.—Wherever possible, a hardy 
Fern dell or dingle should be planned as one of the 
features of all moderate-sized gardens. Ferns, we 
all know, can be successfully grown where many or 
most other things would fail. When once established 
they grow splendidly beneath the shade and drip of 
trees, yet shade and drip ar* not essential factors 
for their perfect growth. No doubt they are gener¬ 
ally found in coolsome glens, but we may also find 
species on bare and sunsmitten walls. 
If no better or more suitable place presents itself 
to the garden designer, Ferns can be planted as 
belts to lawns, near shade if possible, and the edges 
next the paths may be girt with a band of dwarf- 
kept Ivy, St. John's Wort, or Periwinkle. Other 
plants may be used with the Ferns, as for instance 
the Bluebell in spring and early summer, hardy 
Cyclamen, Primroses, Solomon’s Seal, Hepaticas, 
Cypripedium spectabile, C. Calceolus, Campanulas, 
Foxgloves, Lily of the Valley, Saxifraga umbrosa, 
Colchicum speciosum, Musk, and such other plants 
as flower before the Ferns become too dense, or 
those that are able to spread about. The species 
and varieties of Ferns themselves may comprise 
such as Nephrodium Filix-mas and its varieties. Of 
these N. F. m. Ellacombei is a tall, slender-growing, 
and beautiful one; N. F. m. Bollandae is equally 
graceful and tall, and there are others. The 
Aspidiums are a varied and handsome section. 
Aspidium angulare is the type, a well marked and 
well known sort; A. a. oxyphyllum is exquisitely 
lovely, as it unfolds its bright green fronds with 
their brown rachis and curled edges in early June. 
A. a. polydactylum differs from the latter in being 
more uniform in the shape of its fronds, that is, 
they do not taper from the bottom upwards so 
evenly. A. a. tripinnatum elegans is a tall growing 
Fern whose place should be at the back, or on the 
higher part of the dell. 
It might here be mentioned that when the ground 
is limited and a collection of Ferns is desired, a 
dividing wall may be erected, to be, of course, as 
soon as possible covered and hidden by Ivy. The 
top of the wall should not be level, but should rise 
and fall to present a sinuous surface. The base of 
it should be broadened out, and tall growing shrubs 
or even trees may be planted to arch over the top of 
it. 
Nephrodium spinulosum dilalatum is a slender 
species and contrasts well against Asplenium Filix- 
foemina cruciatum coronatum and A. F. f. nodosum 
multifidum. These have distinctive characters. 
The latter is the dwarfest, and is bushy and crested. 
The A. F. f. cruciatum coronatum has broad, 
beautifully spread fronds, also slightly crested, and 
is of a lighter green colour. 
A. F. f. cruciatum is a very dwarf Fern, whose 
place is more correct at the front of a fernery. The 
rachis or central rib of the fronds bears a few 
scattered leaflets along its length, and spreads out 
into a tail-like crested tuft at the apex. This species 
is still exceedingly pretty. It varies somewhat in 
habit, and may at times be found quite dense and 
bushy. 
A. F. f. Pritchardii cristatum, A. F. f. nodosum 
ramulosum, A. F. f. Fieldiae, A. F. f. grandiceps, 
and A. F. f. furcans’are all very fine Ferns, each of 
them distinct, yet difficult to describe in general 
terms. 
An extremely pretty little Fern is Asplenium nip- 
ponicum from Japan. It spreads between the stones 
and boulders of the rockery in densely thick carpets, 
growing to about i ft. in height. 
It has dark red stems, and the pinnae along the 
central rib are themselves pinnatifid and crenate. It 
is a beautiful species. A. F. f. cristatum magnificum 
may be chosen because of its size and handsome¬ 
ness. A. F. f. reflexum cristatum is a capital addi¬ 
tion. Aspidium angulare linearis is of the slender¬ 
est and prettiest hardy Ferns of which I know. A. 
a. alato-revolutens grows tall and archingly. In its 
early stages it is creamy-yellow. A. a. decomposi- 
tum plumosum is remarkably sweet. Its broad, 
long, close set, and finely dissected fronds are 
charmingly beautiful. 
For a sturdy and erect growing variety, one at the 
same time vigorous and pretty, Nephrodium Filix- 
mas propinquum cristatum should be taken. N. F. 
m. crista-galli is rather taller, broader aad larger in 
every way than the foregoing. 
The following, which are all exceptionally worthy, 
must be more fully noticed at a later period:— 
Osmunda regalis purpurascens, O. cinnamomea 
Aspidium aDgulare latifolium, Asplenium F. f. 
orbiculatum, A. F. f. glomeratum (very prettily 
crested), A. F. f. regale, A. F. f. tartile, Scolopen- 
drium vulgare, S. v. cochleatum, S. v. veloisii, S. v. 
marginale, S. v. fisso-crenatum, S. v. variegatum, 
Woodsia scopulina, Polypodium vulgare, P. v. 
semi-lacerum, P. v. omnilacerum truncatum, and 
many others. 
Staking.—At this time when the pressure of work 
demands attention on all sides, the necessary opera¬ 
tion of staking is apt to be left undone until a sharp 
gale or storm visits us and leaves its mark. The 
plants in the herbaceous borders are very 
much in need of stakes here and there. The 
Pyrethrums are a goodly size, and the Cam¬ 
panulas and Paeonies are large; the latter are 
indeed flowering, and there are Liliums, Irises and 
other things which must at once be seen to. The 
sites for the Dahlias after being dug out and having 
manure placed in them, should have a 3 ft. stout 
stake placed at the back of where the plant will be. 
Young trees, too, which were planted this spring and 
which may have been hurriedly staked, should be 
looked to whenever time permits to drive them home 
more. 
Hoeing.—I do not intend to further explain the 
uses of hoeing than has so often been done already. 
It is referred to here only to once again impress its 
great usefulness. The present season has not been 
at all plenteous in its amount of rain as yet, so that 
every possible means should be taken to preserve the 
moisture which the soil does contain. 
Watering. — In warm summer weather it some¬ 
times is necessary to run the hose-pipe and 
distributor all day long. But young stock, newly 
planted out bedding plants, &c., should only be 
watered in the evening or at earliest, late in the 
afternoon. 
Hardy Bamboos.—Wherever new gardens are 
being planned we find that small Bamboo gardens or 
at least moderate plantings of them are being made. 
This has arisen chiefly from the fact that newer and 
better kinds have been brought into the gardens of 
this country. They are most graceful shrubby 
plants, and endow our gardens with a caste of 
scenery which takes us in imagination away to the 
tropical lands of the east. Bamboos are striking 
characteristics of the tropical vegetation of the Indo- 
Malayan region. Their diversity is great. Among 
them we have species of tall growth and robustness ; 
others are slender, very fine and comparatively 
small. As a rule they enjoy a damp half-shaded 
piece of ground. A very limited piece of ground 
suffices to contain a nice collection. Plant them in 
masses or clumps, keeping the various kinds well 
apart so that their distinctive characters may be 
fully developed and freely viewed. Or if it is rather 
preferred, such species as Arundinaria japonica, 
which is about the hardiest, may be planted high on 
the back parts of sheltered rockeries or Fern dells. 
In all instances the sites for the plants should be well 
prepared. Good fibrous loam may be spared for 
them. The undermentioned form list of varieties 
which are perfectly hardy. 
Arundinaria Fortunei Yariegata has long, white- 
streaked leaves, stems 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and the 
habit is bushy. A. japonica is one of the very best. 
It has long, broad leaves, and very tall strong stems. 
It succeeds well anywhere, so long as the site is 
sheltered. It attains a height of 15 ft. A. nitida is 
exceptionally hardy, and as it grows to 8 ft. or 10 ft. 
in height, is much branched and bears pretty taper¬ 
ing dark green leaves, it forms a very desirable 
species. 
Arundinaria Simoni is a tall and delightfully 
graceful Bamboo, much used in some of the .London 
parks in their sub-tropical bedding arrangements. 
The plant which grows 15 ft. or more high, is hardy 
and vigorous, and is very beautiful when clothed in 
its pretty bright green leaves. 
Bambusa palmata.—This is also one of the 
hardiest and most effective species. It is dis¬ 
tinguished by the large size of its leaves, which are 
generally 3 in. or more in width. 
Phyllostachys aurea.—To obtain the fullest 
effect from this beautiful species it should be planted 
in bold masses. It is slender and graceful, attaining 
a height of 15 ft. P. mitis is exceptionally beautiful, 
and grows taller than almost any of the others. P. 
violescens is remarkable for the changes of colour 
which it assumes, being violet tinted in the early 
part of the year, and changing to yellowish-brown. 
P. viridi-glaucescens forms dense spreading 
bushes. It is the best of the tall-growing kinds, 
retaining its bright green foliage throughout the 
winter. Numerous illustrations of Bamboos and 
Bambco scenes, have from time to time appeared in 
The Gardening World. The Bamboo garden at 
Kew was figured on page 681, vol. XIV; Phyllo¬ 
stachys aurea in the same vol. at p. 793. The 
following were figured last year;—Arundinaria nitida, 
p. 121; Bambusa palmata, p. 473; Phyllostachys 
Henonis, p. 57; P. nigra, p. 361; and P. viridi- 
glaucescens, p. 521.— 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 
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"Amateurs' Page " on the top of their letters. 
Hardy Cypripediums. — J. W. Keswick-. These 
beautiful hardy plants succeed well planted out in 
cool, moist, humic soil in sheltered situations. C. 
spectabile is most frequently planted and is the 
prettiest of them all. It does well on the edge of 
ponds. C. Calceolus, the Lady’s Slipper, is also fine; 
C. acaule is quite hardy, and so is C. candidum and 
C. pubescens. You can obtain a list of half a dozen 
for, from 5s. to 7s. 6d. 
Japanese Maple.— T.: We cannot say what variety 
of Acer you refer to—there are so many. But having, 
as you say, three or four differently coloured leaves 
it probably was a plant grafted with three or four 
distinct varieties. The Japanese do these funny 
things. 
Fruits for a strong Soil.— W. Thorn : Robust 
varieties of Apples will succeed, but Plums and 
Black Currants do best. Both, by the way, are 
valuable maiket crops, and Plums yield more per 
acre, on an average, than do either Apples or Pears. 
Azalea balsaminaeflora.— J. Wrench : The species 
you enquire after is a beautiful salmon-rose, double 
flowered subject, and one of the most useful for 
greenhouse decoration or for yielding buttonhole 
flowers, of any we could mention. Any nursery firm 
could supply you. Treatment is the same as for 
ordinary Indian Azaleas. It flowers, or can be made 
to flower, at the end of March. 
Caltha palustris.— W. Fisher: This British native 
is belter by far than many another early flowering 
bog plant brought from afar. It grows in noble 
groups in marshy and muddy ground. You should 
allow it the same conditions when you transplant it. 
Take as much of the soil and as many of the roots 
as possible. 
Mulching Boses.— J. Stuart: Yes, a mulch of good 
dung would be beneficial. 
Solanums.— M. Perry : If you are but starting with 
their culture, secure old plants and prune them 
hard back. Keep them in a close pit or greenhouse 
till they start new growth. They may be planted 
out in a sunny border during the present month. 
Water them, keep well syringed, and they will grow, 
flower, and berry successfully. Lift and repot them 
before the frost can do harm in autumn. Place them 
then in a greenhouse, and keep them moderately 
dry. 
Phloxes. — Win. Rintoul: It is not advisable to 
divide and replant the crowns at so late a period. 
You may take strong cuttings of the young shoots, 
however, and strike these in sandy soil. Plant them 
out-of-doors in their permanent quarters whenever 
they are strong and fit enough. They should thus 
produce handsome panicles of bloom next year. 
Streptosolen Jamesonii. — Lean-to : This plant 
strikes readily from cuttings put in sandy soil, and 
then placed into close cases or frames. When they 
