CHAPTER XIV.

ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGED PLANTS.

“Oh! who that has an eye to see, A heart to feel, a tongue to bless, Can ever undelighted be, 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.

Eclat, bronzy crimson, golden edge.

Acis, crimson, shaded carmine, golden edge.

Brilliant, bronzy crimson, broad golden margin.

Model, pinkish bronze, narrow golden border.

Princess Louise, reddish bronze, light yellow edge.

Golden Beauty, dark crimson, wavy and golden, fringed edge.

Setting Sun, rich bronze center, bright yellow edge.

Sunbeam, bronzy crimson, dark veins, yellow margin.

Unique, reddish crimson, deep golden border.

Of the older kinds the most noted are:--

Albert Victor, center purplish red, broad yellow margin.

Her Majesty, bronzy red center, greenish yellow margin.

Princess Royal, center reddish bronze, light yellow margin.

All of these make fine bedding-out plants; will grow in any rich 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 silvery-leaved 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.

C. Houlletii, spotted and veined, with various shades of green.

Madame Houllet, pink spots towards the center, with white spots on the margin.

C. Sedeni, clouded, green and rose.

C. Splendens, rich crimson, shaded to a green margin.

C. Verschaffeltii, green ground, with pink spots.

The oldest and best known variety is the Caladium Esculeatum, the leaves are of immense size, often two feet long and six inches broad. It will thrive when the other tender varieties fail.

_Begonias._

This class are remarkable for the diversity of their markings, and their rich crimson stems and edgings. Some of the leaves are of an immense size, with broad silvery zones and snowy spots, which contrast perfectly with the rich crimson-tinted, emerald-hued leaves.

Begonia Rex was the first variety; from it have sprung many rare kinds.

Begonia Hybrida Multiflora is valuable, especially for flowering during the winter months, blooming almost continually; has small ovate, glossy leaves, and a profusion of gracefully drooping racemes of rosy pink blossoms.

_Cannas._

These are highly ornamental and effective; their broad, bright-hued leaves resemble those of the Banana; and their flowers are produced in racemes of scarlet, crimson, orange-red, and buff. They are tender, and must be removed to a dry cellar as soon as the frost comes. In spring start them in boxes, or in a warm climate, in the open border. They are grown from seed, as directed in this chapter; but one is not certain of procuring the best varieties. The bulbs can always be purchased at the florists at a small price.

Atropurpurea has fine dark leaves, with orange-scarlet flowers.

Insignis, leaves banded and rayed with purples; flowers reddish-orange.

Premices de Nice, large foliage, bright yellow flowers, spotted with salmon.

Rubra Superbissima, stalks crimson, leaves red, with a metallic shade, flowers clear orange-red.

Nigricans, leaves green with a dark bronze shade, flowers bright vermillion.

Ne plus ultra, leaves rich purple, flowers crimson-scarlet.

Musæfolia, foliage large and handsome.

_Silver Foliage Plants_

Are very desirable to plant in rows with the brightly hued Coleus, Achyranthus, etc.

Artemisia Stelleriana is a pretty dwarf plant.

Cineraria Acanthifolia has velvety white leaves, and is the most desirable of its kind.

Centaurea Gymnocarpa, very elegant, silvery leaves, with narrow, pointed lobes.

Centaurea Candidissima has snowy white leaves, with a frosted appearance.

Centaurea Clementei surpasses all its family in the elegance of its foliage. Its young leaves are like velvet, and, when fully developed, retain a silvery effect.

Gnaphalium Lanatum is of a dwarf, creeping habit, very desirable as a bordering.

Gnaphalium Tomentosum has long, narrow, silvery foliage.

Glaucium Corniculatum has long, velvety leaves, of a silvery white hue; leaves deeply pinnated; flowers of bell shape, orange yellow. It is a novelty introduced last season, and is much admired.

Achyrocline Saundersonii is dwarf and densely branched, with pure white leaves.

Coprosma Baneriana Variegata, a fine dwarf plant, with green oval leaves, flecked and veined with yellow; is a novelty from New Zealand.

Sinclairea Discolor has large, oval leaves, bright green on the upper side, but lined with a downy, snowy whiteness, producing a fine effect.

Wigandia Caraccasana is a stately, ornamental plant, whose large, bright green leaves are covered with hairy spines. Its flowers are of rich purple, borne on a large spike.

Fittonia Argyroneura is lovely for vases, hanging baskets, or ferneries. Its leaves are of bright green, netted with pearly white veins.

Acorus Gramineus Variegata is also desirable for baskets, etc. Its narrow, grass-like leaves are margined with bright yellow.

Panicum Variegatum is also a grass, striped with white and rose; will grow two or three feet in a season; is very elegant.

Abutilon Thompsonii is a prettily variegated shrub, with leaves marbled with yellow.

Sedum Carneum Variegatum is of dwarf growth, with lance-shaped green leaves, margined with white. Beautiful for rock work, but will not endure the winter of the Northern States.

I cannot close a chapter on Variegated Plants, without mention of the

_Golden Bronze and the Silver Margined Geraniums_.

This class form most beautiful groups or beds, very effective either on the lawn or in the garden.

Mrs. Pollock is one of the best known of these varieties, but Lady Cullum surpasses it in the beauty of its zone.

Sir Robert Napier is said to possess the handsomest coloring of all. Its zone is deeply indented with brilliant scarlet; flowers flesh colored.

Sophie Dumaresque has a dark crimson zone, with broad yellow margin.

Black Prince, dark bronze zone, on a yellow ground.

Beauty of Oulton, broad yellow leaf, with a wide bronze zone.

Bronze Queen, yellowish bronze, with a dark chocolate zone; contrasts perfectly with the silver-edged varieties.

Southern Belle, golden yellow ground, brilliant crimson zone.

E. G. Henderson, light yellow ground, fine dark bronzy zone.

Beauty of Calderdale, reddish brown zone on a golden green ground.

Crystal Palace Gem, golden margin, green center.

Perilla, broad dark zone.

Queen Victoria, rich maroon zone, golden yellow margin.

_Silver Margined Geraniums._

Cherub, silver margined, carmine zone, dwarf.

Burning Bush, sulphur white, with bronze zone of rosy crimson tint.

Beauty of Guestwick, zone bronze and rosy carmine, creamy white margin.

Castlemilk, pea-green center, well defined white edge, the whitest of its class.

Countess of Warwick, broad white margin, zone dark bronze, banded with pink.

May Queen, fine broad silver edge.

Kenilworth, white margin, rich crimson zone.

Mt. of Snow, pure white, broad edge.

Rainbow, silvery white margin, red zone.

Snow Storm, fine white edge.

Italia Unita, silver edge, dark zone shaded to carmine.

Little Pet, pink zone, silver edge.

Snow Drop, fine silvery white edge.

Perfection, broad white margin, fine.

_Variegated Ivy-Leaved Geraniums._

These flowers are very lovely, from their drooping growth, for vases, rustic baskets and rock work. They grow readily from slips, are quite tender, and must be housed during the winter months.

L’Elegante has deep pea-green leaves, with a clear white margin running into pink. Its flowers are pure white, borne in large clusters. It is unsurpassed for ornamental purposes, where vines are required.

Duke of Edinburgh is beautifully variegated, and of very vigorous growth.

Holly Wreath has leaves of deep green, with a creamy margin, white flowers.

Peltatum Floribunda, leaves bright glossy green, flowers of a rosy pink.

Fairy Bells, rich green leaves, flowers a light blush.

Elegans, bright rich foliage, mauve colored flowers.

All these Variegated Geraniums grow readily from cuttings, and will bloom in almost any common garden soil. They show their bright markings at better advantage if located so that they are shaded from the heat of the noonday sun. Planted together, _en masse_, they produce a gorgeous effect. All of them have brilliant colored flowers, but they are not as large and handsome as those of the Zonale tribe. If planted on a graduated mound, with a tall Zonale or Double Geranium for the apex, they show in perfect contrast. They require watering at night, if the season is hot and dry. They can be wintered in a warm window, or placed in sandy soil, in boxes, and kept in a frost-proof cellar.

Of course the leaves will fall, but the roots will remain alive, and will not require water more than once or twice all winter, unless they are kept in a warm place near the furnace fire; but this is not a good location for them; far better to keep them in a cool, dark cellar, where vegetation can sleep quietly.