By grasses are meant all those plants which have a round, jointed, and hollow stem, surrounded at each joint with a single leaf, long, narrow and pointed, and whose seeds are contained in chaffy husks. This numerous family embraces even the tall Bamboo of India and the tropical climates, which affords building material for houses, furniture and carriages, and yet is brother to the meadow fox-tail grass. The Ornamental Grasses are attracting more attention every year, and they are especially adapted to planting en masse, or in single beds on the lawn. They are easily grown from seeds, which cost but a trifle. The perennial kinds are more desirable on account of their permanency; but there are many annual and biennial species well worthy of cultivation, even in the smallest garden. They add much to the attractiveness of bouquet or vase, and are truly numbered among the indispensables. Andropogon Argenteum has silvery colored leaves and plumes of flowers; is quite hardy, grows four feet high, and is raised either from seeds or the division of its roots. Andropogon bombycinus is a lovely novelty; with plumes covered with silky hairs of a metallic whiteness. It is a hardy perennial from Persia, growing one foot high. Arundo donax versicolor has striped foliage, and is one of the most beautiful of grasses. It is not quite hardy, but should be covered with sods, or placed in a dry cellar during winter. Chloropsis Blanchardia is a very elegant species, with rose colored spikes. It is also tender, requires protection in a northern climate. Bromus brizæformis is a hardy species, with drooping panicles; grows one foot high. Chascolytrum erectum is also hardy, and very ornamental; is a native of Chili; grows eighteen inches. Chloris myriostachies is a new variety, with velvety flower heads; hardy; grows three feet. Cyperus Paramatta belongs to the sedge family, and is very attractive. Erianthus Ravennal is one of the most desirable species cultivated. It is quite hardy, and forms large clumps from which the stems rise to the height of ten to twelve feet, and are crowned with silvery plumes of twenty inches in length. A clump of this beautiful grass in full bloom, is an object of universal admiration. Its flowers are pure white, with a silvery lustre. Gynerium argenteum (Pampas grass), is truly the "Queen of Ornamental Grasses." It must be seen to be appreciated. It is tender in the northern States, but its roots can be kept in boxes in the cellar during winter. Panicum capilaceum is hardy, and very rich in foliage of rosy hue. Pepragmites communis grows commonly along the banks of our northern rivers, but it is beautiful, and deserves a place among its foreign brethren. Its spikes of flowers are covered with long, white, silky hairs. Stipa pennata (Feather grass), is very ornamental, the seeds vegetate slowly, and should be started under glass. Trypsacum dactyloides is a very handsome and hardy grass. Among the annual varieties I should select Agrostis retrafracta, an extremely graceful species; a great addition to bouquets and vases. Agrostis Steveni, with beautiful, feathery panicles. Avena sterilis (Animated Oats), with large drooping spikes of flowers. Briza maxima (Quaking grass), very beautiful. Briza geniculata, dwarf habit; very graceful. Chloris radiata, a curious variety; very desirable. Chloris truncata, silvery plumes. Eleusine barcinonensis, a novelty with out-spreading plumes of flowers; lovely for house culture. Hordeum jubatum (Squirrel-tail grass), lovely green and purplish plumes. Lagurus ovatus (Hare's-tail grass), very pleasing. Panicum variegatum, one of the most graceful and ornamental plants for baskets or vases. Paspalum elegans, white flower. CHAPTER XIV. ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGED PLANTS. "Oh! who that has an eye to see, With nature's magic loveliness." Variegated leaved plants are quite the fashion at this time, and are becoming more popular every year. They produce a fine effect when planted in oval or circular beds. The furore for these plants has produced a great variety; the whole world has been searched for rare specimens, and these have been hybridized, and greatly improved. A bed of them, well arranged as to color, is a most gorgeous sight, equal to any display of flowers. A recent writer speaks of them thus: "Do not these curious plants, that among their leaves of light have no need of flowers, resemble those rare human plants that develop all the beauties of mind and character at an exceptionally early age, and rapidly ripen for the tomb? They do not live to bring forth the flowers and fruits of life's vigorous prime, and therefore God converts their foliage into leaves, crowns the initial stage with the glories of the final, and makes their very leaves beautiful. By the transfiguration of His grace, by the light that never was on sea or land, He adorns even their tender years with all the loveliness which in other cases comes only with full maturity." A very pretty bed of Ornamental Plants can be sown from seed. In the center, plant the Striped-leaved Japanese Corn. A foot from it on all sides, sow seeds of the Cannas; soak the seeds in boiling water for an hour, and pour boiling water on the ground after the seeds are planted. If planted about the 10th of May, they will grow finely. For the next row, sow Amaranthus melancholicus, and thin out the plants a foot apart. Next to these put the Silvery-leaved Cineraria maritima; and border the whole with Perilla Nankinensis. A row of white Candytuft could come after the Perilla, but it must be pulled up as soon as its flowers are past, or it will destroy the beauty of the bed. Such a bed could be obtained at a slight expense, not exceeding one dollar; while for a bed of Coleus-Achyranthus, Caladiums, Cineraria Acanthifolia, Alternantheras, Centaureas and Gnaphalium, sixty to seventy-five dollars is often paid. Of course, a bed of the latter description is far more recherche than one of the former; but only those whom Fortune has favored, can possess it; while you and I can delight our eyes daily with the bed of our own planting from seeds. Coleus. These plants take first rank among variegated plants. Coleus Verschaffeltii, with rich crimson leaves, veined with bronze and margined with green, was considered a rare wonder; but the Golden Coleus far surpass the early varieties. The American and English florists have been very successful with these lovely plants. They offer us this year: Beauty of Widmore, olive green, stained with pink, white edge. Acis, crimson, shaded carmine, golden edge. Brilliant, bronzy crimson, broad golden margin. Golden Beauty, dark crimson, wavy and golden, fringed edge. Albert Victor, center purplish red, broad yellow margin. sandy loam; they are very tender, the first frost blackens their beauty; and they require much heat in the winter. A slight chill is death to them. I had fine plants of several kinds last winter, but a cold night in December killed every one; green-house culture is needful for them. Achyranthus. These plants rank next to the Coleus in richness of coloring, and beauty of veining. A. Acuminata has dark red leaves, marked with a salmon-red midrib, and light crimson under-surface. It contrasts charmingly with silveryleaved plants. Aureus Reticulatus has light green foliage, veined with yellow; stems crimson, very effective. Achyranthus Lindenii is of a bushy growth, foliage rich, deep crimson. All of these are very tender, but make good house plants during the winter. Alternantheras. These are dwarf plants from Brazil, with leaves tinted with crimson, pink, brown and green. A. Amœna, crimson shaded to pink, and amber brown. A. Amabilis, orange, crimson and dark green. A. Leatifolia, foliage large, green, orange and crimson. A. Versicolor, olive, crimson and chocolate. These varieties are all used for edgings, and if they are closely cut, the fresh growth assumes most brilliant hues. They will not outlive our cold winters without protection. Caladiums. One of the most beautiful of the Ornamental Foliaged Plants for planting on the lawn, or as a center for oval or circular beds. They will grow five feet high, with immense leaves of a light green color, beautifully veined with various colors. They are bulbous roots, and must be taken up with the first frosts. The bulbs should be kept in sand in a dry temperature, not below 50°. Caladium Chatini, green ground, red and white spots. Duc de Nassau, clear red leaf, beautifully shaded. Emperor Napoleon, brilliant crimson, with rich blood-red ribs. |