June 1, 1904 
HERBACEOUS PLANTS ON GRASS. 
Many species belonging to this class of 
hardy. plants would create a much finer 
effect if grown singly or in bold clumps on 
the grass, where they could obtain more 
freedom for both foliage and flower alike 
than they very often receive now, huddled 
‘together in a much too narrow horder, 
where the true character of the plant is 
altogether obscured. Besides, a feature in 
the ‘garden might be very easily added, 
which would give increased interest If 
such an idea were more generally carried 
out and the grass kept short the plants 
would give even a finer effect than they do 
now where employea in the wild garden, 
where it is necessary tu allow the grass to 
run. to keep up the true character of that 
part of the garden. Many of our finest 
herbaceous plants are remarkable ae much 
for their foliage as for the flower itself; 
long grass would altogether spuil the effect. 
In that case, therefore, grass which is kept 
short is preferable under the above condi- 
tions. How the plants shall be arranged is 
more of matter for personal taste than for 
minute instructions in this article This 
section of hardy plants prefers liberal 
treatment, and for it give a good return A 
firm, holding soil is more suitable for the 
general body of these plants than a light 
sandy one, although some few may need a 
little attention to give the best results. ‘The 
stations where all are to be planted should 
be deeply trenched; if the sil is poor, 
some partly decomposed farmyard manure 
and old potting soil ought to be added, and 
will well repay the extra labor incurred in 
giving a more luxuriant growth, which 
means an enhanced appearance, All the 
plants here mentioned are the better tor 
copious soakings of water at the rovts if the 
weather bo hot and dry during the summer 
months. Some of the species have nor suffi- 
cient foliage near their base to hide the soil 
in which they are growing. This miyht be 
improved by covering the surface soil with 
some of the many low-growing hardy 
plants, such as Sedum glaucum aud 8S. 
Lydium, MHerniaria glabra, An enuaria 
tomentosa, or Veronica repens, all of which 
are of quick growth and of suitable colors 
to form an agreeable contrast with the 
plants above. 
Telekia speciosissima, or, as some prefer 
to call it, Buphthalmum, is a capital subject 
for growing on grass. The habit of the 
plant is vigorous, having large drooping 
léaves, which cannot be seen when sur- 
rounded by other things in the herbaceous 
border. Stout flower-spikes 4 feet long are 
freely produced, having blooms much 
resembling Japanese Anemone Chrysanthe- 
mums in their formation; the color is 
orange-jellow. 
Polygonum cuspidatum is just’ the plant 
for this purpose; the growth has an out- 
ward tendency, deep green; the drooping, 
feathery, panicle-like flowers are treamy- 
white, freely produced. If larger growth is 
required, I’. sachalinense may be planted, 
which will quickly run up 10 feet high. The 
former variety coes not grow’more than 5 
feet high. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Bocconia cordata, commonly called the 
wlume Poppy, if planted in a bold clump 
Pould give a noble effect, growing, as it 
does, from 6 to. 8 feet high. Tho glaucus 
color of the underside of the leaves gives it 
more variety. The flower-spikes from 
strong roots are fully 3 feet long, creamy- 
white in color. 
Fuchsias of the Riccartoni, microphylla 
macrostemma, and fulgens types are excel- 
lent subjects for growing on the grass. 
Well-shaped bushes upwards of 8 feet in 
diameter can’ be quickly obtained. In this 
way this class of Fuchsia is seen to the 
greatest advantage. The bulk of the 
varieties flowers profusely the whole of the 
summer, and they are amongst the easiest” 
plants to increase; the wonder is they are 
not more cultivated than’ at present.” 
Rarely are they seen beyond cottage gar- 
dens if one excepts botanical collections of 
hardy plants. 
Acanthus mollis and A. spinosissimus, 
commonly called Bear’s-breech, are very 
suitable for growing on grass. ‘The foliage 
is broad, deeply laciniated; they have 
white and purple flowers and grow about a 
yard high. 
Actzea spicata (Baneberry) would give 
extended variety if planted in conjunction 
with other things named. The foliage is 
bold, and the numerous flower-spikes which 
strong plants freely throw up have a good 
effect, so uncommon are they in form. 
Tritoma glaucescens and T. Uvaria are 
second to none for this method of garden 
ornamentation ; the bright orange and red 
of the flower-heads make an agreeable con- 
trast with the deep green of the foliage and 
the grass. ‘I’. glaucescens opens its flowers 
first, and they are more freely produced 
than those of the older Uvaria, of which it 
is a form, and a good one, too, for extend- 
ig the flowering season of these showy 
Flame-flowers. 
Eryngiums would be useful to extend the 
flswering season, and their bright-blue 
flowers are at all times appreciated. The 
small. flowered amethystinum is free; there- 
yore worth a place. The deeper-colored 
and stronger-growing Oliverianum is per- 
haps the best of the genus. 
Inula macrophylla and Inula glandulosa 
would be quite at home on tho grass, their 
deep orange-colored flowers contrasting so 
well with the grass. $ 
Montbretia Pottsi and the nower crocos- 
micflora are well suited to this form of 
culture; the semi-drooping habit of the 
narrow leaves fits them well for growing on 
grass; the orange and red flowers, too, are 
freely produced and pleasing. 
Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multifloram 
majus) is another hardy plant well suited to 
this form of culture; in good soil the stems 
increase in strength annually, and produce 
a greater profusion of the peculiarly colored 
greenish flowers, which are very sweet- 
scented ; the berries, which are: afterwards- 
produced in quantity, render this plant still 
more interesting. Frene = eagit:ai ; 
’ Spirzea Aruncus (the large Goat’s-beard) 
has handsome foliage and showy, graceful, 
diooping: plumes.of almost white flowers— 
certainly a desirable plant for growing on 
grass. waldearoneih 
5 “ 
This list does not by any means exhaust 
the stock of suitable plants for this form of 
hardy gardening, but has been given to 
afford a general idea of a plan which can- 
not fail to prove interesting. 
LILIUM LONGIFLORUM INSULARE. 
Without showing any marked divergence 
from the normal form, varieted names have 
been plentifully showered upon the varie- 
ties, or supposed varieties, of Lilium longi- 
florum, one of the latest being that at the 
head of this note. As flowered from im- 
ported bulbs, it is certainly full of promise, 
for the growth is sturdy and robust, two or 
three stems being often pushed up from one 
bulb, while the flowers, of which several are 
borne ‘on a stem, are unusually expanded, 
and of a thick wax-like substance! Taking 
an isolated flower, one is reminded of a 
particularly good form of the Japanese 
variety Wilsoni. The name of insulare is 
but a garden appellation, having its origin in 
the fact that it was imported by a well-known 
firm of nurserymen from an island in the 
Pacific Ocean, where, judging by results, it 
has found a congenial home. Whether this 
will prove to be a geographicel form, whose 
points of difference will disappear under 
cultivation, remains to be seen, for when 
Lilium longiflorum Harrisi was sent from 
Bermuda many features from which it 
differed from any other longiflorum were 
claimed for it, yet, after a season or two in 
this country, all these points vanished. 
Whatever a further acquaintance may lead 
to, there is no question that these imported 
bulbs represent one of the best forms of 
Lilium longiflorum, particulaly for a cool-— 
house, or for growing out of doors. Of the 
bulbs which flower in this country we draw 
our supplies from Japan, Holland, Ber- 
muda, and South Africa, as well as from 
the Pacific Islands. ; 
-L, longiflorum (or Harrisi) var. 
insulare is very free-blooming. Three 
bulbs sent up seven stems about 24 feet 
high, which bore 29 beautiful flowere.— 
‘ Gardening Illustrated.” 
CARNATIONS. 
The great Carnation, raisers have hosts. - 
of humble imitators all over the kingdom, 
men and women to whom. Dianthus caryo- 
phyllus is very dear, who cultivate 1b in 
preference to other plants, and have 
studied its requirements most lovingly. 
Such growers as these find out) many. sec- 
rets; indeed, it would be strange if they 
did not manage to grow healthy plants and 
charming flowers, since, in floricultnre, as 
in all other pursuits, love for the. efforts 
ag well as for the results is certain to 
achieve triumphs. ; 
‘The Carnation was ‘‘a_ florists flower” 
thirty years.ago, and immense improye- 
ments in iti have been. effected since then.. 
A-book about gardening, published ia 1864, 
contains the following passages about: the 
Carnation: “Another . florist’s , flower, 
which would’ occupy. all. the. remaining 
space in this book, if allowed.’ For whati 
it must be, as an’ exhibition flower, see 
Glenny’s ‘Properties.’,. Of the Picotee, this 
