Part 14

Cyanus(Cornflower).--Very pretty and free-blooming hardy annuals. Sow the seed in the open in autumn for an early display of flowers, or in March for a later one. Thin out to 2 ft. apart. Bloom in July. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.

Cyclamen.--Charming winter and spring blooming bulbous greenhouse plants, which thrive in a mixture of sandy loam and vegetable mould. They require a moist atmosphere and a uniform temperature not lower than 50 degrees. They may be increased by seed sown in slight heat as soon as it is ripe. Plant the bulbs in October, also in February and March, placing them so that the crown is level with the top of the pots. One full-sized bulb is sufficient for a 6-in. pot, which must be provided with good drainage and placed on a layer of coal ashes that is kept constantly moist. Water moderately till growth begins, then increase the supply. Give a little liquid manure, in a weak state, if a large quantity of flower-buds appear. When the blooming season is over, plunge the pots in a shady, well-drained border, and when the leaves start afresh turn the plants carefully out of the pots, so as not to injure their roots, and re-pot in fresh soil. C. Persicum flowers in February, and C. Neapolitanum in April. C. Europeum is a hard variety, thriving in any situation. It produces sweetly-scented flowers throughout July and August. It does best when planted under trees, or in partial shade on rock-work, in well-drained, good loamy or peaty soil mixed with a fair proportion of brick rubble. Plant the corms in September 3 in. apart, and 1-1/2 in. deep. Height, 6 in. to 9 in.

Cydonia (Pyrus).--These hardy plants are well adapted for trellis-work, but are more effective when grown as bushes, and flower more freely than when trained to the wall, the bloom often lasting to the winter. They will grow in any soil, and are increased by suckers. Height, 4 ft. and upwards.

Cyperius Alternifolius.--A stove grass which will grow in any soil, but requires a plentiful supply of water. It is increased by dividing the roots. Height, 2 ft.

Cypress (Cupressus).--Among these useful conifers C. Lawsoniana has no superior as a single specimen for the decoration of the lawn. Of free growth and perfectly hardy, it succeeds in almost any soil or situation. C. Fraserii is also hardy, of erect habit, and of a rich glaucous hue. When it attains a good size it is very ornamental. The beautiful silver variegated variety Argenteo Variegata deserves a place in every shrubbery. Nana Alba Maculata is a dwarf globular plant, the slender branches of which are tipped with white, giving it the appearance of being partly covered with snow. Pygmea is a compact dwarf-growing variety suitable for the centre of small beds and for rock-work. Japan Cypresses are elegant little shrubs, one of the finest being Retinospora Ericoides, whose peculiar violet-red leaves contrast charmingly with light green plants. Any of the above may be increased by cuttings. They succeed best in a rich, deep loam, and are improved by thinning out the branches where too thick, and pinching out the stronger shoots where too thin, so as to encourage new growth.

Cypripedium (Hardy Ladies' Slipper Orchid).--This plant is of the simplest culture and is well adapted for pots, ferneries, or rock-work. It is most at home in a well-drained yet moist peaty soil, and kept in a frame or on a shady border, where it will bloom in June. Protect from frost and heavy rains, but never allow the roots to get dry. Height, 1 ft.

Cytisus.--Elegant hardy shrubs with finely-cut leaves and terminal racemes of Pea-shaped flowers in July. They will grow in any soil, and are readily raised from seed or layers. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft.

Daffodils.--These will grow in any good, cool, moist, well-drained garden soil if sand be put round their roots, but thrive best in a moderately rich loam. They may remain in the ground for years, for large bulbs produce the finest flowers. When the flowering is over the leaves must be allowed to die down, not cut off. Plant from September to December. The top of the bulb should be about 3 in. below the surface, according to its size; 10 in. apart is a good distance. Daffodils are also suitable for pot culture. Plant three to six bulbs, according to size, in a 4-in. or 5-in. pot, using a compost of two parts fibrous loam, one part leaf-mould, and one part sand. Place the pots on a bed of ashes, and cover with 4 in. of cocoa-nut fibre. As soon as top growth has commenced, remove the plants indoors, and give plenty of light and air to prevent them being drawn. Daffodils likewise make a good display when planted on a lawn.

Dahlias.--These attractive plants require a deep, friable soil, not over rich. They may be grown from seed sown on a hotbed in March and lightly covered with fine mould. As soon as they are up give all the air which can with safety be given. When the seedlings are large enough pot them off singly in the smallest-sized pots or round the edges of 6-in. ones. Plant them out at the end of May, 1 ft. apart; they will flower at the end of August. Any that turn out very good had better be propagated by cuttings from the young tops, to save the kind in case the roots should die. When flowering is over take up the young bulbs and treat them as directed afterwards for old tubers.

Another way to propagate them is to place the old tubers in soil over a hotbed early in March. When the shoots are a couple of inches high the tubers may be taken up and divided with a sharp knife. Pot off separately. Water them occasionally with liquid manure, made from guano and powdered charcoal, well mixed with rain water, and plant them out early in May. Give them plenty of room, and tie the branches securely to stakes firmly fixed in the soil. When they have become good bushy plants put a layer of half-rotted manure round each plant. As soon as frost turns their foliage brown take them up, cut off the roots, leaving about 6 in. of stem attached, and plunge them into a box of sand, chaff, or ashes, and preserve them from damp, frost, and heat during the winter.

Daisies (Bellis Perennis).--These pretty, little hardy perennials are very useful as edgings. To grow them to perfection the ground should be highly manured, and the roots divided every year, planting them out 6 in. apart in a cool, shady situation. October is a suitable time for transplanting. They flower continuously from February to July. Height, 6 in.

Dandelions.--Dandelions on lawns, etc., may be killed by cutting them down as low as possible, and putting a little gas-tar or a pinch of salt on the wound. Or they may be dug up and blanched for mixing with salad. In this case plant six roots in an 8-in. pot, and place an inverted flower-pot over the whole, in order to exclude the light; the plants are sometimes blanched in the open by covering them with old tan or fine ashes. The flowers must be kept picked off, for they soon run to seed, and if unattended to become troublesome.

Daphne.--Beautiful shrubs, mostly evergreens, bearing elegant flowers followed by bright-red poisonous berries. D. Mezereum is the most common variety, and is very suitable for the front of shrubberies. The Chinese variety D. Odorata is too tender for outdoors, but makes a fine ornament for the greenhouse. The dwarf kinds, bearing fragrant pink flowers, are rather tender, but are very useful for rockeries occupying sheltered positions. They all need a peaty soil, and may be increased by grafting on to the common Spurge Laurel. Different varieties flower at various periods, from February to October. Height, 9 in. to 6 ft, but the majority are from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high.

Datura.--Ornamental half-hardy annuals. The seeds of all the species must be sown on a hotbed early in spring. When the plants are strong enough transplant them in the border, where they will bloom more freely than in pots. The seeds of D. Ceratocaula will sometimes remain several years in the ground before they germinate. They flower in July. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.

Day Flower.--See "Commelina."

Day Lily.--See "Hemerocallis."

Delphinium (Larkspur).--The gorgeous spikes of flowers produced by these plants render them invaluable for the border. They like a deep soil, highly enriched. The perennials may be divided at the root in autumn, care being taken not to injure the young fleshy sprouts. The annuals are readily raised from seed. The quickest way to grow the perennial varieties from seed is to sow in a frame with a slight bottom-heat, at any time from March to August; but sowings made in the open from April to June will succeed. Keep the ground moist, and shade from the sun till the plants are up, then transplant to nursery beds for the summer, afterwards transferring them to their final quarters. Flower in June and July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 6 ft.

Dentaria Digitata (Toothwort).--This tuberous hardy perennial grows well in old leaf-mould, and is very suitable for the base portion of rock-work, where it can obtain both shade from the midday sun and moisture. It is readily increased by cutting the roots into pieces about 1-1/2 in. long, and replanting them where they are intended to bloom, putting 1 in. or so of sand round them. They flower in May. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Desfontania Spinosa.--A fine, evergreen wall shrub with holly-like leaves, and long, pendulous scarlet and orange flowers in June. It grows best in a compost of loam, peat, and sand, with a south or west aspect. It is propagated by cuttings under glass. Height, 10 ft.

Desmodium Canadense.--This is a fine border hardy perennial, producing long racemes of rosy-purple flowers in June or July. It prefers a soil of sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by seed or by cuttings planted in sand and subjected to heat. Height, 4 ft.

Desmodium Pendulaeflorum.--A hardy evergreen shrub, flowering in July. It thrives in sandy loam and peat. Cuttings planted in sand with a little bottom-heat and under glass will strike. Height, 6 ft.

Deutzia.--A beautiful conservatory shrub, bearing in spring a large quantity of flowers resembling the snowdrop. A peaty soil suits it. It is pretty hardy. Height, 3 ft.

Devil-in-a-Bush.--See "Nigella."

Dianthus.--Very beautiful and fragrant flowers. The genus embraces Carnations, Pinks, Picotees, and Sweet Williams. The soil most suitable for them is a light, loamy one, mixed with a little rotten dung and sand. It is well to confine the rarer kind to pots, so as the better to protect them in winter. They are propagated by layers, cuttings, or division of roots. If the cuttings are taken about the middle of June, and placed under glass on a gentle hotbed, they will be ready in about three weeks to plant out in the open. The annuals and biennials merely require sowing where they are intended to bloom. Flower in July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Dictamnus (Burning Bush).--See "Fraxinella."

Dielytra Spectabilis (Venus's Car, Bleeding Heart, or Lyre Flower).--One of the most elegant hardy perennials for forcing for table decorations, or cutting for vases. The graceful, pendent branches are laden with beautiful red or purple heart-shaped flowers; these, combined with the delicate green of the foliage, give them a conspicuous place among plants. Out of doors in summer, among shrubs or herbaceous plants, they are exceedingly attractive. Let them be planted in tufty groups in a warm, sheltered border of rich, light soil. They may be increased by division of the root, as in the Dahlia, or by cuttings. Height, 3 ft.

Digitalis (Foxglove).--Very showy, hardy, perennial border plants. They will grow in any garden soil, and are readily raised from seed, which, if sown in the autumn, will produce flowers the following June and July. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft.

Digitata.--See "Callirhoe."