and then it could if necessary be shifted into a larger pot or small tub.
*Datisca cannabina.—A distinct and gracefully-habited herbaceous plant from 4 ft. to 6 ft. high. The long stems are clothed with large and handsome pinnate leaves, and the yellowish-green inflorescence appears towards the end of summer. The male plant has long been known as a very strong, graceful, and effective herb. The female plant, however, remains green much longer than the male, and when profusely laden with fruit, each shoot droops and the whole plant improves in aspect. It should not be forgotten in any selection of hardy plants of free growth and imposing aspect. From seed will probably be found the best way to raise it, and then one would be pretty sure of securing plants of both sexes.
Dicksonia antarctica.—A very noble evergreen tree-fern, with a stout trunk, which varies considerably in thickness, and attains a height of 30 ft. or more. The fronds, which form a magnificent crown 20 ft. or 30 ft. across, are lance-shaped, much divided, of a shining dark green on the upper surface, and paler underneath, from 6 ft. to 20 ft. long, beautifully arched, and becoming pendulous with age. Perhaps the hardiest of tree-ferns, and therefore most suitable for placing in the open air in summer in sheltered shady dells, from the middle of May to the beginning of October.
*Dicentra (Dielytra) eximia.—A plant with dense and very graceful foliage, far more so than any other member of the order in cultivation; and valuable as a flowering plant too, as the brightly-coloured flowers remain on for a long time in spring and early summer. It generally grows from 12 ins. to 16 ins. high, forming thick, almost pyramidal, tufts of pale green, glaucescent, deeply-divided leaves, and bearing handsome drooping clusters of large, rose-coloured flowers, often flowering twice in the year. Although not absolutely necessary, it will be all the better to plant it in light soil. Multiplied by division of the tufts in spring. It should be associated with dwarf subjects like Thalictrum minus, or be used on the margins of mixed beds of fine-leaved hardy plants.
*Dimorphanthus mandschuricus.—A magnificent hardy shrub of erect habit, with very large, much-divided, spiny leaves, which very much resemble those of the Angelica-tree of North America, and in this country attaining a height of 6 ft. to 10 ft., which it will probably much exceed when well established in favourable positions. It is certainly the most remarkable fine-foliage shrub that has been introduced into our gardens for years, and is therefore of the highest importance for the subtropical garden. As to its treatment, it seems to thrive with the greatest vigour in a well-drained deep loam, and would grow well in ordinary garden soil. As to position, isolation in some sheltered but sunny spot will show it to great advantage; but it may also be grouped with like subjects, always allowing space for the spread of its great leaves.
*Dipsacus sylvestris.—A rather singular-looking hardy native plant, 5 ft. to 6 ft. high, with a prickly, leafy, branching stem, and longish opposite leaves joined together at their bases. The flowers are of a pretty purplish rose-colour, and are borne in conical heads 3 ins.
