Gardening For The Million Part 9

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 gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s will strike. Height, 6 ft.

Deutzia.--A beautiful conservatory shrub, bearing in spring a large quant.i.ty 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 gla.s.s 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."

Dimorphantus _(Aralia Sinensis_).--The Dimorphantus Mandschuricus is one of the n.o.blest of deciduous shrubs, the foliage being very large and much divided. Any soil is suitable for its growth, and it may be propagated by cuttings of ripe wood, taken at a joint and planted on a shaded site. It produces its flowers at midsummer. Height, 4 ft. to 6 ft.

Dimorphotheca Ecklonis.--This plant is not perhaps quite hardy, still it may be grown out of doors in a sheltered, sunny situation. It grows well in sandy loam and leaf-mould, and requires a good deal of moisture in the summer months, though from autumn till spring it should be kept on the dry side. During winter it is safest to afford it protection. It is generally raised from cuttings late in summer, which are kept through the winter in small pots in the greenhouse.

Diphylleia Cymosa.--A very pretty bog plant which blooms from June to August. Plant in rich, light soil, and give plenty of water. It is propagated by division. Height, 9 in.

Diplacus Glutinosus _(Hard-wooded Mimulus_).--This elegant greenhouse shrub is an evergreen which delights in a rich, sandy loam. It flowers in June, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 3 ft.

Diplopappus.--Dwarf-growing evergreen shrubs of pretty habit. The golden stems and leaves of D. Chrysophylla render that variety specially attractive. A sandy loam is most suitable for their growth.

They require the warmest situation the garden affords, and to be protected during the winter. Cuttings strike readily. They flower in August. Height, 2 ft.

Disbudding--The object of Disbudding is to prevent the growth of branches which, from their position, would be useless to the tree, and would consequently have to be cut away later on. The process is both simple and expeditious. The trees are gone over once a week during the spring, and the useless buds are rubbed off with the thumb, taking off first those which are most unfavourably situated. The work should be done gradually, so as not to give any check to the tree.

The term is also applied to the pinching out of flower-buds, such as those of the Chrysanthemum, so as to give more room and strength to the remaining blooms.

Disemma.--Splendid evergreen climbers, suitable either for the greenhouse or in a sheltered position out of doors. Plant in rich, loamy soil mixed with peat, and, if grown in the open, give protection to the roots during the winter. They flower in July, and may be increased by cuttings planted in sand under gla.s.s. Height, 20 ft. to 30 ft.

Dittany.--_See_ "Cunila."

Docks, to Kill.--Cut the weeds down to the ground, and run a skewer dipped in vitriol through the roots.

Dodecatheon.--A hardy perennial, which is very ornamental when in flower. It grows best in a loamy soil, and is easily increased by dividing the roots. Blooms in May. Height, 1 ft.

Dog's-Tooth Violets.--_See_ "Violets."

Dolichos Lablab.--Half-hardy annuals. The seed should be sown in spring in pots placed in heat, and kept in the hothouse till May, when the plants may be set out in a sheltered position, placing sticks for them to run up, in the like manner to Beans. Flower in July. Height, 6 ft.

Dondia Epipactis.--A very pretty and extremely hardy little perennial, suitable for either pot culture or rock-work. It thrives in peat or leaf-mould, and likes a moist position. Strong clumps may be divided in February, but it is rather shy at being moved. It flowers in May.

Height, 6 in.

Doronic.u.m (_Leopards Bane_).--An ornamental hardy perennial. It will grow in any garden soil, and may be propagated from seed sown either in the autumn or spring, or by dividing the root. It produces its flowers in May. Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Draba.--Pretty dwarf Alpine plants which bloom during April and May; very suitable for rock-work. They flourish in a compost of loam and peat, and may be propagated by seed or division. Height, 1-1/2 in. to 3 in.

Dracaena Indivisa.--A stove evergreen shrub much valued for its foliage and as a table plant. It requires a light, loamy soil and plenty of light. Cuttings stuck in tan or peat and sand, and provided with strong heat, will strike. It flowers in June. Height, 3 ft.

Dracocephalum (_Dragon's Head_).--Ornamental plants, mostly bearing lilac or blue flowers. Many of the half-hardy kinds are grown in pots, so that they may the more readily be removed to the greenhouse in winter. The perennials are propagated by dividing the roots. The annuals are increased from seed sown in March or early in April. They like a rich, light soil, and come into bloom in June and July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.

Dracophyllum.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs of an ornamental character.

The pots should be filled with an equal mixture of sand and peat. They are propagated by planting the young shoots in sand, covering them with a hand-gla.s.s, and plunging them in heat. They flower in June.

Height, 2 ft.

Dragon's Head.--_See_ "Dracocephalum."

Dryas Octopetala (_Mountain Avens_).--A prostrate, creeping perennial which bears white Anemone-like flowers from July to September. It thrives in peat, and is increased by seeds, cuttings, or division.

Not being quite hardy, protection should be afforded during winter.

Height, 6 in.

Dutchman's Pipe--_See_ "Aristolochia."

E

Earwigs, to Trap.--An inverted flower-pot, containing a little dry moss or hay, placed on a stick, forms a good trap for these pests.

They will also congregate in any hollow stems of plants that may be laid about. They may be destroyed by shaking them into boiling water.

Eccremocarpus (_Calampelis_).--These climbing half-hardy perennials will grow in any garden soil, a light, loamy one being preferable.

Sow the seed in autumn on a slight hotbed, pot off, and winter in a greenhouse. The plants will be ready to turn out on a warm south wall in April or May. Cut them down in the autumn, and cover the roots with dry leaves: they will shoot up again in the spring. The foliage is dark and Clematis-like; the flowers are borne in cl.u.s.ters, are tube-shaped, and bright orange-scarlet in colour. They are increased by cuttings.

Echeveria.--Choice greenhouse evergreen shrubs. They grow best in a sandy loam, with a little peat, mixed with pulverised brick rubbish.

Water must be given cautiously. Young plants may be taken off the parent in October and pressed firmly, but without bruising them, in light, rich soil. Cuttings should be left for a few days to dry before planting. They flower in autumn. In winter keep them in a cold frame, and as dry as possible. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.

Echinacea Purpurea (_Purple Cone Flower_).--A stately hardy perennial, very pretty when in flower, but hardly suitable for cutting purposes.

It likes a rich, light, loam soil and plenty of suns.h.i.+ne. The roots may be divided in spring, after growth has fairly started. It blooms during September and October. Height, 2-1/2 ft.

Echinops (_Globe Thistle_).--Coa.r.s.e perennial plants, of stiff growth.