948 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 26, 1904. 
9 > i 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Solidago Gattingerii. —Apart from the tall-growing Golden 
Rods, there are a few of dwarf stature which are well suited 
for the flower borders, and this is one' of the most pleasing, 
not only on account of it® dwarfness, but also for its late- 
flowering, as it does not commence to bloom before the third 
week im October, and continues till the middle of the present 
month. It grows from 18 in. to 2 ft. high, and as ; each stem 
branches freely a good display of pale yellow flowers results. 
It would also prove valuable for planting in a bed, as a, dense 
mass' of colour would make a fine show at such a late season. 
It requires but little supporting, and can be easily propagated 
by root' division, and grows freely in ordinary garden soil. A 
sunny position will suit its requirements best. • 
Pentstemon pallidum. -— Compared with the splendid im¬ 
proved florists’ varieties, many of the species are not very 
striking to the general cultivator, but in this we have an, ex¬ 
cellent border plant. It has tubular flowers about 11, in. long 
and 1 in. across at the mouth, and these are borne freely from 
the upper half of the stem. They are creamy-white in colour, 
and a maos in the border makes a striking object during 
October. This Pentstemon seeds freely, and it can also be 
propagated from cuttings which appear in quantity if a portion 
of the flower-stems are cut. If treated in a, similar manner to 
that advised for florists’ varieties they will root readily, and a, 
position as advised for the above plant will suit it well. 
Summer-flowering Chrysanthemums. —These have now prac¬ 
tically finished flowering and can be lifted and propagated for 
next season’s supply if not already done. Many people do not 
go to this trouble with them, but I am quite confident that, as 
with Montbretias, much better results are obtained by so doing, 
for if left in tliei ground during the winter many varieties have 
not a sufficiently strong constitution to withstand the continual 
dampness on heavy soils, and they a,re also attacked by slugs, 
■etc., which often eat the young shoots off. On the other hand, 
if the plants are lifted, the ground can be dug and feeding 
material incorporated, and the ground is rendered sweeter by 
the action of wind and frost upon it. It is, therefore, obvious 
that more- satisfactory results must accrue. When, the plants 
are lifted, a, quantity of young shoots will be seen at, the base, 
and these should be taken off carefully with a knife. If they 
are rooted, so much the better, and can be treated in the same 
way as cuttings by placing one in thei centre or three round 
the edge of a 60-sized 1 pot. Damp over, place in a cold frame 
and keep' close for a few days until the foliage becomes stiff, 
after which abundance of air should be admitted on all favour¬ 
able occasions. A light, porous soil should be used ; with the 
scarcer varieties the old stool can, be potted up by shortening 
back the roots, and this will send up cuttings which can. be 
taken off later. 
Schizostylis coccinea. —Now that we have such a few plants 
flowering in the borders 1 tins excellent bulbous subject is most 
welcome, and the recent mild spell has enabled the bright 
scarlet flowers to open, cleanly. These do not commence to 
expand before the 1 second week in November with us, and the 
slender spikes and neat Iris-like foliage make it very desirable. 
It, should be given a. light, porous compost and a, sheltered 
position, such as the corner of a Avail facing south, where it 
Avill thrive and prove hardy, but to ensure this we give a cover¬ 
ing of fine cinder ashes in severe weather. 
Rock plants. — Noav that practically all these are out of 
flower the dead stems can be removed and attention given to 
any plants that need it,. There are some which much resent 
dampness' on the foliage in winter, and means must be taken to 
prevent thisj, or fatal results may follow. The best way I know 
is to' place a piece of glass over the plant, which will keep the 
leaves dry and at the same time allow plenty of light to reach 
them. In cold districts a, top-dressing of loam and broken, 
grit will prove very beneficial and protect the crowns from 
frost, though, of course, care should be taken not to, cover the 
rosettes of encrusted Saxifragas and the like, or to let the soil 
fall amongst them, or their beauty will be marred. 
Aldenham House Gardens, ELstree. A. E. Thatcher. 
The Flower Garden. 
Christmas Roses (Helleborus 1 niger).—In tlie dull, dark 
days of Avinter few sights are more refreshing than a Avell- 
fioAvered clump of the old-fashioned Christmas Rose, and for¬ 
tunately feAv plants, are easier of cultivation. Hellebores, 
generally, like a heavy, rich soil, and should be planted where, 
during the summer months, they will be partially shaded from 
strong sun. During the growing season they enjoy plenty of 
moisture, and established clumps will benefit greatly by occa¬ 
sional applications of weak liquid manure from the cowshed; 
mulching with short manure is also- found to be beneficial and 
tends; to prevent the, flowers being “ splashed” by winter rains. 
As' a rule;, these plants do, not relish root disturbance, but 
should they show signs of deterioration they should be care¬ 
fully lifted and replanted in good loamy soil. This will be 
best done in early spring after flowering and before the grow¬ 
ing period sets' in. Little attentions in the right way are 
relished by all plants, and any whicli flower in winter are 
worthy the best, we can give them. 
Irisi unguilcularis (syn,. sfylosia) is another winter-flowering 
plant of great merit and worthy of more extended cultivation. 
It, is a, native of Algeria and rejoices' in a, position; close to the 
base of a. Avail, or in, some other way protected from cold, frosty 
Avinds'. A rich, well-drained loam suits this plant admirably, 
and during the growing season a fair amount of moisture is 
essential. The flowers, are lilac-coloured, with a white throat, 
and being produced on, fairly long stalks, are useful for cutting. 
Their© are several varieties of this; Iris, of which speciosa, a 
stronger form of the type, and alba, a AA r hite variety (the latter 
being very beautiful), are perhaps the best. 
Zephyranthes Candida. —Very few of the better-known 
species of Zephyranthes. are really hardy, but the one under 
notice forms a nice edging for beds or borders in somewhat 
sheltered positions 1 . The leaves are narrow, about 6 in. or 
8 ini. in length, and of a dark green colour, contrasting well 
with the pure white flowers which are produced in September. 
After planting, which should be done in spring, the plants 
should not be disturbed, as they floAver most freely when Avell 
established. ^ - 
Hardy Fruit. 
Apples. —The Apple crop of this season has been ahoA r e the 
average for some years, and it should tempt occupiers,, and 
certainly owners, to' plant more largely than hitherto, as 
there is always a ready sale for choice fruit, especially from 
the new year onwards. An error often made is planting too 
many early sorts, which come into use pretty Avell about the 
same time ; late-beeping varieties pay the grocer much bettor 
from a market standpoint, but the gardener has to provide 
both for early and late, therefore he is obliged to* study the 
requirements of his employer. The weather could not possibly 
be better for transplanting than it, has been for some few 
Aveeks past, and the observant gardener will have pushed on 
such Avork Avith all speed, as early autumn planting is decidedly 
preferable to spring, no matter what the soil is- Bush and 
pyramid trees on the broad Paradise stock quickly come into 
bearing, and Avhere a quarter can be given up to- them, and 
the ground frequently hoed, cropping between, for the first 
few years, is much in advance of planting on, grass land, as I 
am convinced the roots of the grasses rob the roots of the fruit 
trees a very great deal, unless the turf is removed from tv o 
to three feet all round the base of the stem. 
