Part 17

Eschscholtzia.--Pretty hardy annuals, especially during August, when they are in flower. Any rich soil suits them. Easily raised from seed sown on a gentle hotbed in spring, and afterwards transplanted to the border. They flower longest if sown in autumn, but the young plants need protection through the winter. Height, 1 ft.

Eucalyptus Citriodora.--A useful window or greenhouse plant, with small, oblong, bright green leaves, furnished with appendages that emit an odour resembling the Lemon-scented Verbena. It is of easy cultivation, growing freely from seed sown in slight heat. Height, 4 ft.

Eucalyptus Globulus.--A greenhouse everlasting tree, commonly known as Blue Gum. It delights in a mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Cuttings, which should not be too ripe, root in sand under glass. It may be grown from seed sown, in a temperature of 65 degrees, from February to April. It flowers in June.

Eucharidium.--Pretty little hardy annuals, nearly allied to the Clarkia. The seed may be sown in autumn for early flowering, or in spring for blooming in July. Height, 1 ft.

Eucomis Punctata.--A fine, autumn-blooming plant, bearing long spikes of fragrant creamy-white flowers and curiously-spotted stems. It may be grown in any rich soil. Height, 2 ft.

Eucryphia Pinnatifida.--A dwarf evergreen shrub with flowers resembling a white St. John's Wort. It grows best in a compost of loam and peat, and is propagated by cuttings planted in sand, and subjected to heat.

Eugenia Ugni.--An evergreen shrub which produces white flowers in May, succeeded by round, edible berries. It should be grown in loam and peat. Ripened cuttings may be struck in sand under glass. Height, 4 ft.

Eulalia Japonica.--A hardy perennial Giant Grass. It is very handsome as single specimens on lawns, or used in groups on the margins of shrubberies. The flower panicles in their first stage have erect branches, but as the flowers open these curl over gracefully, resembling a Prince of Wales feather. Height, 6 ft.

Euonymus Radicans Variegata.--A hardy evergreen shrub which, given a sunny situation, will grow in any soil, though a rich, sandy one is preferable. It may be increased by layers, by seed, by cuttings of ripe wood taken early in autumn and planted in the shade, or by dividing strong roots. May is its time to flower. Height, 6 ft. Other varieties of the Euonymus, or Spindle Tree, are equally hardy, and easy to propagate.

Eupatorium Odoratum.--A greenhouse shrub which bears sweet-scented white flowers in August, continuing in bloom for a long while. It may be planted out at the end of May, but must be lifted before the frost comes. When flowering ceases, give less water and prune hard back. It grows well in peat and loam, and is increased by seed or by cuttings of the young shoots in spring in bottom-heat. Pinch back freely until the end of July, leaving all growth after that period. Height, 2-1/2 ft.

Euphorbia.--An elegant class of plants. The stove and greenhouse varieties are generally succulent, and require but little water, while the hardy kinds need plenty of moisture. Any rich, light soil suits them, but for the tender, succulent plants it should be mixed with brick rubbish. Best grown from seed, though the roots may be divided. Height, 2 ft.

Eurya Latifolia Variegata.--A fine, variegated, large-leaved evergreen, very suitable for covering a low wall, or for conservatory decoration. It delights in a compost of loam and peat, and is propagated by cuttings planted in a sandy soil on gentle heat. Height, 2 ft.

Eurybia.--Very pretty flowering shrubs for walls, borders, or rockeries. They require a light, rich soil, and may be increased by seeds sown early in spring on a gentle hotbed. Height, 2 ft.

Eutaxia Myrtifolia.--Pretty evergreen shrubs, suitable for the greenhouse. They thrive best in a mixture of peat and loam, and require the pots to be well drained. To have nice bushy plants they must be pinched back well. Cuttings will strike in sand under glass. They flower in August. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Eutoca.--Exceedingly pretty hardy annuals. Sow the seed in light soil early in spring where it is to flower, and thin out so that the plants have plenty of room. They bloom in July. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Evening Primrose.--See "Oenothera."

Everlasting Peas.--See "Peas, Everlasting."

Fabacea.--See "Thermopsis."

Fatsia Japonica.--See "Aralia."

Feather Grass.--See "Stipa Pennata."

Fennel.--Sow the seed in April, cover lightly with fine mould, and when the plants are strong enough set them out 1 ft. apart. Cut off the flower-stalks as soon as they appear, to prevent them running to seed. The bed will last for years. (See also "Ferula.")

Fenzlia.--Elegant half-hardy annuals. Sow the seed on a peat soil. If this be done in autumn, they will flower in April or May; if sown in spring, they will bloom in autumn. Height, 6 in.

Ferns.--Most Ferns delight in a loose soil, an abundance of moisture, and a warm, humid atmosphere. The stove and greenhouse kinds are best cultivated in a mixture of sandy loam and peat. The hardy kinds grow best among rock-work or in a shady border: a light, sandy soil suits them. They may be increased by dividing the roots.

Ferns from Seed.--Collect the spore-fronds towards the end of summer, just as the spore-cases begin to open. Place them on a sheet of paper in a box for a few days, keeping it in a dry place. Most of the spores will fall out, the others may be rubbed out with the hand. These spores will keep good a long time, but are best sown within a year. Fill the pots with good heavy loam, water freely, and apply a coating of charcoal, coarse sand, and sphragnum moss, rubbed through a fine sieve. Damp the surface, sow the spores thinly, and cover with glass. Keep the soil moist by standing the pots for a time each day up to their rim in water. No surface water should be given. Stand the pots in a warm, light place in the greenhouse, but keep them shaded from the sun. When the surface is covered with growth, prick out into pans or boxes, using a rich, light soil. When they are large enough pot them off singly in thumb-pots, re-potting as soon as these are filled with roots.

Ferraria.--See "Tigridia."

Ferula (Giant Fennel).--Strong-growing, hardy, herbaceous plants. F. Gigantea has bright, glistening foliage, changing to a brilliant orange, and attains a height of 8 ft or 10 ft. F. Tingitana is very stately and graceful, growing 4 ft. high. They are easily raised from seed, will grow in any garden soil, and flower in August and September.

Festuca.--An annual ornamental grass, which is grown best on a loamy soil. Sow the seed in March, and keep moist till it germinates. Height, 1 ft.

Feverfew.--This hardy perennial will grow in any soil and ripen its seed freely. Young plants, obtained by sowing the seed early in spring, are very useful for edgings; when planted alternately with, or in proximity to, Lobelia a pretty effect is produced.