Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers Part 52

The wild _V. tricolor_ is, however, a very different plant and flower to its numerous offspring, such as the ill.u.s.tration (Fig. 111) depicts, and in which there is ever a tendency to "go back." It is only by constant care and high cultivation that the Pansy is kept at such a high standard of excellence, and one may add that such labour is well repaid by the results. With no flower more than the Pansy does all depend on the propagation and culture. Not the least reliance can be placed on seeds for producing flowers like those of the parent. Cuttings or root divisions should be made in summer, so as to have them strong, to withstand the winter. They enjoy a stiffish loam, well enriched. And in spring they may be lifted with a ball and transplanted into beds, borders, lines, or irregular ma.s.ses, where they are equally effective, and no flower is more reliable for a profusion of bloom.

Yucca Filamentosa.

THREADY-LEAVED YUCCA; _Nat. Ord._ LILIACEae.

This is of a more deciduous nature than _Y. gloriosa_, reclothing itself each spring more amply with foliage. In December, however, it is in fine form, and though it is a better flowering species than most of its genus, and to a fair extent valuable for its flowers, it will be more esteemed, perhaps, as a shrub of ornamental foliage. It came from Virginia in the year 1675.

The flowers are pretty, greenish-white, bell-shaped, and drooping: they are arranged in panicles, which, when sent up from strong plants, are, from their size, very attractive; but otherwise they are hardly up to the mark as flowers. The leaves in form are lance-shaped, concave, reflexed near the ends, and sharp-pointed. The colour is a yellowish-green, the edges are brown, and their substance is split up into curled filaments, which are sometimes 9in. or more long, and are blown about by every breeze. From these thready parts the species takes its name. It is seldom that this kind grows more than 4ft. high, but a greater number of offsets are produced from this than from any other of our cultivated Yuccas.

I know no better use for this kind than planting it on the knolly parts of rockwork, positions which in every way suit it, for it enjoys a warm, dry soil.

_Y. f. variegata_, as its name implies, is a form with coloured foliage.

In the north it proves to be far from hardy, and therefore cannot be recommended for culture in the open garden. My reasons for mentioning it are that it is convenient to do so when the typical form is under notice, and that it is frequently spoken of as hardy. Subjects needing well selected positions, protection, and a mild winter in order to keep them alive from autumn to spring, can in no sense be considered hardy, even though they may be planted out of doors.

Flowering period, August to October.

Yucca Gloriosa.

GLORIOUS YUCCA, ADAM'S NEEDLE; _Nat. Ord._ LILIACEae.

A hardy evergreen shrub which has long been grown in England, but for all that is not often met with in private gardens. It is a native of South America, and was brought to our sh.o.r.es in 1596. The genus is remarkable for not flowering constantly in our climate, and also for slow growth; fortunately, both these drawbacks, if one may term them such, are counter-balanced by the handsome foliage of the various species, mostly of an evergreen and very durable nature, and also by the bold and symmetrical arrangement of the same. This Yucca flowers in the autumn, but it may be considered more especially a foliage subject, as the bloom is insignificant compared with the leaves and is not produced more than once in four years as a rule. The leaves a.s.sume their richest hues and become thoroughly matured about the end of the year; and when the ground is covered with a thick coat of snow, their rigid forms are amongst the very few of any note that can be seen. In any garden, no matter how large or how small, a Yucca imparts a style or character to it which scarcely any other subject can give. It may not be so easy to explain this, but the fact is recognised by the most casual observer at first sight. If I say the effect is tropical, n.o.ble, rich, and sometimes graceful, a partial idea of its ornamental qualities may be conveyed; but to know its value and enjoy it, it should be grown. The species under consideration has many forms, some differing rather widely from the type, so much so that these varieties are honoured with specific names. First may be given a brief description of the parent form.

It grows from 3ft. to 6ft. high, according to the more or less favourable conditions. These dimensions apply to blooming specimens; but shrubs, three to six years old, if they have never bloomed, may not exceed 1ft. to 2ft. in height, and about the same in diameter. The flowers, as may be gathered from the order to which the genus belongs, are lily-like, or bell-shaped; they are of a greenish white colour, arranged in lax cl.u.s.ters on stoutish stalks. The leaves are 12in. to 2ft. long, 3in. or more broad in their widest parts, concave or boat-shaped, sharp pointed, glaucous, sometimes slightly plicate, rigid, and leathery.

The habit, after flowering, is generally to form offsets, when the plant loses much of its former boldness and effect. From the lateness of its blooming period, and a lack of suitable conditions, it does not ripen seed in our climate, and it must of necessity be raised from seed ripened in more favourable climes.

The following are said to be some of its varieties, bearing useful descriptive names: _Y. g. pendula_, having a pendulous habit or reflexed leaves; _Y. g. plicata_, having plaited leaves; _Y. g. minor_, a lesser form in its various parts. There are other reputed varieties of more doubtful descent.

For cultivation see _Y. recurva_.

Yucca Recurva.

RECURVE-LEAVED YUCCA; _Common Name_, WEEPING YUCCA; _Nat. Ord._ LILIACEae.

This is a charming species, perfectly hardy and evergreen; it was brought from Georgia about ninety years ago.

The flowers are a greenish-white, and undesirable where the shrub is grown for the sake of its ornamental qualities; fortunately they are far from being constant in their appearance. September is its blooming period in our climate. The leaves are its main feature; with age it becomes rather tall, 6ft. to 9ft. high, having a woody hole or caudex, which is largely concealed by the handsome drooping foliage; a few of the youngest leaves from the middle of the tuft remain erect. The whole specimen is characterised by its deep green and glossy foliage, combined with a most graceful habit. Few things can be planted with such desirable effect as this shrub; it puts a stamp on the landscape, parterre and shrubland, and when well grown forms a landmark in the most extensive garden.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 112. YUCCA RECURVA

(one-eighteenth natural size.)]

For all the species and varieties of Yucca the mode of culture is not only similar but simple. They have long roots of a wiry texture. These denote that they require deep soil, light, and rather dry. Sandy loam, light vegetable soil, or marl and peat grow them well. Raised beds or borders, the higher parts of rockwork, or any open position, thoroughly drained, will not only be conducive to their health, but also prove fitting points of vantage. In planting Yuccas it must never be forgotten that perfect drainage is the all important requisite, and if it is not afforded the stock will never thrive, but ultimately die from rot or canker. Another matter, when referred to, will perhaps complete all that is special about the culture, or rather planting, of Yuccas. Begin with young stuff; I know nothing that transplants worse than this cla.s.s of shrubs after they have become considerably grown. Their spare, wiry roots, when taken out of a sandy soil, do not carry a "ball," and from the great depth to which they run they are seldom taken up without more than ordinary damage. Young specimens, 6in., 9in., or not more than 12in. high, should be preferred, and of these sizes the least will prove the safest. Yuccas are readily propagated at the proper season; and in specifying the season it is needful to point out that of offsets, from which young stock is soonest obtained, there are two kinds. Some spring from immediately below the earth, and may more properly be termed suckers; the others grow on the visible part of the stem or caudex, often close to the oldest leaves; these should be cut off with a sharp knife, in early summer, and if they have a little of the parent bark attached to them all the better. If they are planted in a shady place, in sweet sandy loam, they will make good roots before winter, and may be allowed to make the following summer's growth in the same position. In the succeeding autumn it will be a good plan to put them in their permanent places. The suckers will be found to have more or less root; they should be taken in spring from the parent specimen, the roots should be carefully preserved, and the pushing parts planted just level with the surface.

FLOWERING PERIODS.

As an aid to readers desirous of making a selection of plants which will secure a succession of bloom the year through, we here give a list of those described in the preceding pages, arranged according to their average periods of flowering.

January.

Anemone fulgens, Aralia Sieboldi, Bulbocodium vernum, Cheiranthus Cheiri, Crocus medius, Eranthis hyemalis, h.e.l.leborus abchasicus, H.

antiquorum, H. Bocconi, H. colchicus, H. cupreus, H. foetidus, H.

guttatus, H. niger, H. orientalis, H. olympicus, Jasminum nudiflorum, Petasites vulgaris, Saxifraga Burseriana.

February.

Anemone blanda, A. fulgens, A. stellata, Arabis lucida, A. Sieboldi, Bellis perennis, Bulbocodium trigynum, B. vernum, Cheiranthus Cheiri, Corydalis solida, Daphne Mezereum, Eranthis hyemalis, Erica carnea, Galanthus Elwesii, G. Imperati, G. nivalis, G. plicatus, h.e.l.leborus abchasicus, H. antiquorum, H, Bocconi, H. colchicus, H. cupreus, H.

dumetorum, H. foetidus, H. guttatus, H. niger, H. odorus, H.

orientalis, H. olympicus, H. purpurascens, Hepatica angulosa, H.

triloba, Jasminum nudiflorum, Petasites vulgaris, Polyanthus, Primula acaulis, Saxifraga Burseriana.

March.

Anemone blanda, A. fulgens, A. Pulsatilla, A. stellata, Arabis lucida, Aralia Sieboldi, Bellis perennis, Bulbocodium trigynum, B. vernum, Cheiranthus Cheiri, Chionodoxa Luciliae, Corydalis solida, Daphne Mezereum, Dentaria digitata, Doronic.u.m caucasic.u.m, Epigaea repens, Erica carnea, Erythronium dens-canis, Galanthus Elwesii, G. Imperati, G.

nivalis, G. plicatus, G. Redoutei, h.e.l.leborus abchasicus, H. antiquorum, H. Bocconi, H. colchicus, H. cupreus, H. dumetorum, H. foetidus, H.

guttatus, H. niger, H. odorus, H. orientalis, H. olympicus, H.

purpurascens, Hepatica angulosa, H. triloba, Jasminum nudiflorum, Leucojum vernum, Muscari botryoides, M. racemosum, Narcissus minor, Omphalodes verna, Orobus vernus, Phlox frondosa, Polyanthus, Primula acaulis, P. Cashmeriana, P. denticulata, P. marginata, P. purpurea, P.

Scotica, Pulmonarias, Puschkinia scilloides, Saxifraga Burseriana, S.

ciliata, S. cordifolia, S. coriophylla, S. ligulata, S. oppositifolia, S. Rocheliana, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum, Soldanellas, Triteleia uniflora.

April.

Alyssum saxatile, Andromeda tetragona, Anemone Apennina, A. fulgens, A.

Pulsatilla, A. stellata, Arabis lucida, Bellis perennis, Calthus pal.u.s.tris flore-pleno, Cheiranthus Cheiri, Chionodoxa Luciliae, Corydalis n.o.bilis, C. solida, Daphne cneorum, D. Mezereum, Dentaria digitata, D.

Jeffreyanum, D. Meadia, Dondia Epipactis, Doronic.u.m caucasic.u.m, Epigaea repens, Erica carnea, Erysimum pumilum, Erythronium dens-canis, Fritillaria armena, Galanthus nivalis, G. plicatus, G. Redoutei, Gentiana verna, h.e.l.leborus antiquorum, H. colchicus, H. orientalis, H.

purpurascens, Hepatica angulosa, H. triloba, Houstonia coerulea, Jasminum nudiflorum, Leucojum vernum, Muscari botryoides, M. racemosum, Narcissus minor, Omphalodes verna, Orobus vernus, Phlox frondosa, Polyanthus, Primula acaulis, P. capitata, P. Cashmeriana, P.

denticulata, P. farinosa, P. marginata, P. purpurea, P. Scotica, P.

vulgaris flore-pleno, Pulmonarias, Puschkinia scilloides, Ranunculus acris flore-pleno, R. amplexicaulis, R. speciosum, Sanguinaria canadensis, Saxifraga Burseriana, S. ciliata, S. cordifolia, S.