ALONA (primitive name, Nolana—letters transposed; from nola, a little bell, in allusion to the shape of the flowers). ORD. Nolanaceæ. A genus of pretty evergreen shrubs closely allied to Nolana, but differing principally in having several ovaries from one to six-celled, whereas Nolana has five four-celled ovaries. Leaves fasciculate; stems woody. They require ordinary greenhouse treatment, in a peat and loam compost. Cuttings root freely in sandy loam, with a very gentle bottom heat, in about a fortnight.
A. cœlestis (sky-blue).* fl. pale blue, very large, axillary, solitary; peduncle elongated. July. l. terete, fascicled; plant nearly glabrous. h. 2ft. Chili, 1843. This pretty species is an excellent one for growing out-of-doors during summer months.
ALONSOA (in honour of Z. Alonso, formerly Spanish secretary for Santa Fe de Bogota). ORD. Scrophularineæ. A genus of very pretty little half-hardy shrubs, herbaceous perennials, or annuals, with axillary, sub-racemose flowers, which are resupinate, with a sub-rotate five-cleft limb. Leaves opposite, or ternately whorled. They will grow freely in light rich soil; and are readily increased by cuttings in August or March, which should be placed in sandy soil in gentle heat, or by seeds sown in March. The herbaceous species may be treated as outdoor summer annuals, and should be raised in a little heat, and planted out early in May.
A. albiflora (white-flowered).* fl. pure white, with yellow eye, in long terminal spikes. h. 1½ft. to 2ft. Mexico, 1877. This is recommended for pot culture, as in the conservatory it will provide a succession of flowers throughout the autumn and winter.
A. caulialata (wing-stemmed). fl. scarlet, racemose. June. l. ovate, acute, serrated. Stems and branches quadrangular, winged. h. 1ft. Peru, 1823. Half-hardy, herbaceous.
A. incisifolia (cut-leaved).* fl. scarlet; peduncles long, alternate, disposed in terminal racemes. May to October. l. opposite, ovate, acute, deeply toothed, or serrate. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Chili, 1795. Glabrous greenhouse shrub. SYN. Hemimeris urticifolia.
A. linearis (linear-leaved). fl. scarlet, with a dark bottom, like most of the species. May to October. l. opposite, or three in a whorl, linear, entire or remotely denticulated; young leaves fascicled in the axils of the old ones. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Peru, 1790. Greenhouse shrub. SYN. Hemimeris coccinea.
A. linifolia (flax-leaved).* fl. scarlet. h. 1ft. to 1½ft. New Holland. This is an elegant little annual, forming symmetrical, graceful, and very free flowering plants, either for pot or outdoor culture.
A. Matthewsii (Matthew's). fl. scarlet, in loose, terminal racemes. July. l. lanceolate, toothed, about 1in. long. Stem slender, quadrangular. h. 1ft. Peru, 1871. Greenhouse shrub.
A. myrtifolia (myrtle-leaved). fl. scarlet, very large. New and pretty species.
A. Warscewiczii (Warscewicz's).* fl. rosy scarlet. h. 1½ft. Chili, 1858. This is probably a herbaceous variety of A. incisifolia, and one of the best annuals.
ALOYSIA (in honour of Maria Louisa, mother of Ferdinand VII., King of Spain). Sweet-scented Verbena. ORD. Verbenaceæ. This genus is nearly allied to Verbena, which see for generic characters. A greenhouse deciduous shrub, with a very fine perfume and graceful habit. The most satisfactory plan of culture is to obtain well-grown thrifty young plants in spring, and grow them on for the season. As the wood ripens, give less water until they are at rest, when it must be nearly withheld. About the end of January, bring into the light and warmth, and water thoroughly. As soon as the plants break, cut back to three or four eyes; and when the young shoots are about an inch long, transfer into rich sandy soil, using pots a size or two smaller than those they were in before. When the pots are full of roots, transfer to those that are to hold the plants for the season. By this mode of culture, good plants are to be maintained for any length of time. Aloysias form excellent pillar subjects for either a cold greenhouse, or out-of-doors, in which latter situation they thrive remarkably well, but require thorough protection, with straw bands or mats, from November until March, and afterwards at night, until danger from severe frosts has passed. They require no summer training, their young growth being continually cut off for the many purposes of decoration to which they are applied, and to which they are so well adapted. They are easily increased by young cuttings in spring, which should be placed in sandy soil and gentle heat, when they will root in about three weeks.
A. citriodora (lemon-scented).* fl. whitish or lilac, very small, in terminal panicles. August. l. pale green, lanceolate, agreeably scented, arranged in whorls of threes; branches slender. Chili, 1781. SYNS. Lippia citriodora, Verbena triphylla.
ALPINE GARDEN. A very interesting style of gardening, which succeeds best by imitating Nature as closely as possible. The situation may be an open or a sheltered one. In building a Rock or Alpine Garden, it should be so arranged that all aspects are secured—shady and sunny—fully or in degree only. Pockets and crevices of various sizes may be made, and filled with soil suitable for the subjects to be planted therein, each one having a direct connection with the bulk of the soil; and the constructing material should be arranged with a gentle fall, so that moisture drains towards rather than from the roots. Alpine plants, as a rule, flourish better on a properly constructed rockery than if placed in any other position, because thorough drainage is effected, and the long and fine roots can run down in the crevices, where the soil is cool and moist. Although most alpine plants are naturally exposed to the full action of sun and wind, they should be placed out in early autumn, or early spring, so as to become thoroughly established before the approach of scorching summer weather. Failing materials necessary for the construction of a rockery, many alpines are easily grown in the ordinary border, in a naturally or artificially well drained situation. Excavate to the depth of 18in., put in a layer of stones, broken bricks, &c., 6in. deep; fill up with rich fibrous loam and leaf mould, adding sufficient sand to keep the soil porous. When the desired subjects are firmly planted, cover the surface with small gravel or stone chippings, which, while allowing the rain to penetrate the soil, effectually checks evaporation, and keeps it moist and cool, as well as giving the appearance of rocky débris. The effect will be better if the surface is slightly undulated.
ALPINE ROSE. See Rhododendron ferrugineum.
ALPINIA (in honour of Prosper Alpinus, an Italian botanist). ORD. Zingiberaceæ. A rather large genus of stove herbaceous perennials, with considerable grace and beauty. Flowers disposed in terminal spikes. Leaves lanceolate, smooth, even, entire, sheathed at the base, and having transverse veins. Roots fleshy, branched, having much of the smell and taste of ginger. The soil can hardly be too rich for the successful culture of these plants. A mixture of equal parts loam, peat, leaf mould, or thoroughly rotted hotbed manure, freely mixed with sharp sand or fine charcoal dust, forms an excellent compost. During the growing season, a top dressing of rotten dung, and a frequent application of weak manure water, prove excellent stimulants. They grow rapidly and consume a great deal of food in the production of so much stem and so many leaves. Unless the former is vigorous and of considerable thickness, it will fail to be crowned with spikes of flower. Alpinias require a high temperature, a rich, light soil, abundance of water, and not a little space, to grow them well. Soon after flowering, the plants will assume the yellow leaf, when water may be gradually withheld; but no attempt should be made to dry them off too severely, even after the stems die down. Nor must they be stored when at rest in a low temperature; in fact, they require as much heat to preserve them in health when resting as at any other time. The best time to divide the plants is after the young shoots have made an inch of growth in spring.