Gardening For The Million Part 10

Any soil suits them, and they may be increased by dividing the roots.

They bloom in July. Height, 4 ft.

Echium Cretic.u.m.--A scarlet-flowering hardy annual which should be grown wherever bees are kept. Sow in spring in any garden soil.

Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Edelweiss.--_See_ "Gnaphalium."

Edraianthus Dalmaticus.--A charming little herbaceous perennial which proves quite hardy in our climate, and well deserves a place in the rockery. Plant in deep, rich loam, and cover the surface of the crown with 1/2 in. of coa.r.s.e sand. It may be propagated from off-sets, taken with as much root as possible as soon as flowering ceases. Winter the young plants in a cold frame, and do not give them too much water, or they will rot. They will bloom in July and August. Height, 4 in.

Egg-Plant (_Aubergine_).--The fruit of the egg-plant is edible. The seed is sown in March or April in pots of well-drained, light, rich soil, and placed in a cuc.u.mber frame or on a hotbed with a temperature of 75 degrees. When the plants are fairly up they are potted off separately, and when they have started into growth the points are pinched out, so as to induce a bushy habit. It is necessary to keep the roots well supplied with water. When the fruit is set, the growth is stopped at the first joint beyond it. They are mostly treated as greenhouse pot-plants, but may be grown in the open if planted on a south border, in ridges like those made for cuc.u.mbers, and covered with hand-gla.s.ses till established. The Aubergine is a tender annual.

Height, 2 ft.

Eggs of Insects, to Destroy.--Into 3 gallons of water stir 1/4 peck of lime, 1/2 lb. of sulphur, and 1/2 lb. of tobacco. When settled, syringe the trees and walls with the clear liquid. More water may be added afterwards.

Eichhornia Cra.s.sipes Major.--A pretty and curious plant which may be grown in bowls of water like the Chinese Lily. The stalks are bladders about the size of a greengage, which enable the plant to float. The flowers are soft lilac-rose in colour, and sparkle as if polished, each one being about 2 in. in diameter. A little soil at the bottom of the bowl is beneficial. It will flourish out of doors in summer.

Elder.--_See_ "Sambucus."

Eleagnus.--Effective variegated shrubs which prove perfectly hardy in the south of England. They grow in any ordinary soil, and are increased by cuttings. Height, 10 ft.

Elsholtzia Cristata.--Hardy annuals of great value where there are bees, the flowers being very sweet. Sow in the open in spring. Height, 1 ft.

Empetrum.--Small hardy evergreen shrubs requiring an elevated and exposed position, and a dry, barren soil. They flower in May, and are propagated by layers. Height, 1 ft.

Endive.--Sow at intervals from May till the end of August, but the princ.i.p.al sowing, to stand the winter, should be made the first week in August, giving the plants the protection of a frame. When the early sown ones are 2 in. high transplant them to a rich nursery bed. When 4 in. high lift them carefully, with the soil round the roots, and place them in drills about 3 in. deep and 1 ft. apart each way. Water well immediately after planting, and keep the soil moist.

Epacris.--Pretty Heath-like shrubs. They like a sandy peat soil, and plenty of moisture. The pots in which they grow should be provided with ample drainage and stood in a larger-sized pot, with wet moss between the two. As soon they have done blooming cut them back freely, and when the fresh shoots are 2 or 3 in. long, pot them off, placing them in a close, cool pit for three or four weeks. Gradually harden off, then place them in a sunny situation out of doors, and remove them to the conservatory in October. They only need sufficient heat to keep out the frost. Cuttings of the young wood placed in sand with a little bottom-heat will strike.

Epigaea Repens (_Creeping Laurel_).--This creeper is hardy and evergreen, and its flowers possess a delicious fragrance. It may be grown in loam and sandy peat or in leaf-mould with a little sand added, in a well-sheltered and moist situation; and may be propagated by layers, in the same manner as Carnations. It flowers in April.

Height, 6 in.

Epilobium Angustifolium.--An ornamental herbaceous plant which may be grown in any common soil from seed sown in autumn, or may be increased by division of the roots. It puts forth its flowers in July. Height, 4 ft.

Epimedium.--An elegant hardy perennial, suitable for shaded borders or rock-work. The best soil for it is sandy peat. It flowers between April and June, and is increased by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft.

Eragrostis Elegans (_Love Gra.s.s_).--One of the best of our hardy, annual, ornamental gra.s.ses. Sown in March, it will reach perfection in August or September. Height, 1 ft.

Eranthis Hyemalis.--_See_ "Winter Aconite."

Eremurus Robustus.--This hardy perennial bears tall, handsome spikes of sweetly-scented, peach-coloured flowers in May. It will grow in any ordinary soil, and is easily propagated by young plants from the roots. Height, I ft.

Ericas (_Heaths_).--It is useless to attempt to grow these beautiful shrubs unless proper soil is provided. The free-growing kinds thrive best in good black peat and require large pots. The dwarf and hard-wooded kinds must be provided with sandy peat, and the pots thoroughly well drained. They need less water than the free-growing kinds. They all want a good deal of air, and must not be crowded too closely together. Protect from frost and damp. Cuttings off the tender tops of the shoots planted in sand under gla.s.s will strike. The cuttings of the stronger-growing kinds should be somewhat longer. As soon as rooted, pot off singly, place in a close frame, and harden off by degrees. The hardy sorts grow in a sandy peat, and may be increased by layers or by cuttings. They bloom at various times. Height, 6 in.

to 4 ft. (_See_ "Heaths, Greenhouse.")

Erigeron.--Very handsome hardy perennials, producing a copious display of bloom. They will grow in any soil, and may be increased by division or by seed sown between March and July, or in August or September.

They flower at the end of July. Height, 1 ft.

Erinus.--The hardy perennial kinds bloom in March, the greenhouse varieties in May. The latter are very pretty. They all like a sandy soil, and may be increased by seed or by division. Height, 6 in. to 9 in.

Eriogonum.--These pretty, hardy, herbaceous plants bloom in June. They grow best in a compost of loam and peat, and are easily raised from seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Eriostemon.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Grow in sandy peat with a little loam added. Cuttings will strike in sand. They flower in May and June. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.

Erodium.--An extensive genus of very beautiful plants, mostly hardy.

They will grow in any soil, and merely require ordinary treatment. The bloom is produced in June or July. Height, 4 in. to 1 ft.

Eryngium.--A very ornamental and beautiful kind of Thistle. They are mostly quite hardy, and will grow in any garden soil, though they thrive best in a light, sandy one. The greenhouse and frame varieties should be grown in pots, so that they can be easily housed in winter.

They are readily increased by seed or division, and produce their flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. to 4 ft.

Erysimum.--Flowers of little merit. The herbaceous kinds thrive in common soil, but do best in a mixture of loam and peat. They may be increased by cuttings placed under gla.s.s. The annuals and biennials merely need sowing in the open during autumn. They bloom in June and July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Erythrina Crista Galli (_Coral Plant_).--A showy, summer-blooming greenhouse plant. Place it in turfy loam enriched with old manure. It may be transferred to the garden in the summer, and when the wood is ripe cut it back and keep it dry till spring. Cuttings taken at a joint, with the leaves left on, may be struck in sand.

Erythronium Dens-Canis _(Dog's Tooth Violets_).--_See_ "Violets."

Escallonia.--Handsome, half-hardy, evergreen shrubs, possessing rich glaucous leaves and bunches of tubular flowers. A peat and sandy loam soil suits them best. They may be planted against, and trained to, a south wall, but need protection from frost. The laterals may be cut back fairly close in March to encourage new growth. They may be propagated by layering in the autumn, or by suckers taken in the spring. Height, 3 ft.

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 gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s. Height, 4 ft.

Eulalia j.a.ponica.--A hardy perennial Giant Gra.s.s. 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 cla.s.s 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 gla.s.s.

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.