*Onopordum Acanthium.—A native biennial plant of bold, habit and vigorous growth, with stout, branching stems often more than 5 ft. high, and very large, undulating, spiny leaves, covered with long, whitish, cobweb-like hairs. Flowers purplish, in large, solitary, terminal heads. O. illyricum has greener and more deeply-cut leaves, stiffer stems, a more branching habit, and much more spiny leaves and stems. O. arabicum grows to the height of nearly 8 ft. with an erect and very slightly branching habit, and has both sides of the leaves, as well as the stems, covered with a white down. All these species are very hardy, and thrive well in ordinary soil. They are particularly adapted for the rougher and more neglected parts of pleasure-grounds, where they will sow themselves.
*Osmunda regalis.—This, the largest and most striking of our native ferns (sometimes attaining a height of 8 ft.), is one of the most ornamental subjects that can be grown in certain positions. It should be planted in moist peaty soil in half-shady places, on the banks of streams, the margins of pieces of water, by cascades, etc. It may also be planted in the water with good effect. It has been found to do well exposed to the full sun, when its roots are in a constantly moist, porous, moss-covered soil, in a position sheltered from strong winds. In shady positions it would be found to attain great stature if planted in deep, well-manured soil. The various North American Osmundas should also be associated with this. There are several varieties to be met with in gardens, the handsomest of which perhaps is O. r. cristata. Popular and almost universally cultivated as the Osmunda is; however, it is not at all common to see the Royal Fern and several other Osmundas otherwise than in a shabby, or at best in a half-developed, condition. Mr. A. Parsons, of Danesbury, a well-known florist and cultivator of ferns, has overcome this difficulty, and narrates his marked success in the pages of the Florist and Pomologist. He formed a very large fernery in an old chalk-pit, and with much success; but, notwithstanding all the care taken of the Osmundas and allied ferns, they were tried for four seasons with no satisfactory results, the roots of the surrounding trees robbing them of both soil and water. “A change was then made: a piece of ground, of irregular shape, large enough to contain about 20 plants, was staked out, and the mould, or, more correctly speaking, the chalk, was removed to the depth of 3 ft.; a bricklayer followed, and put in a floor of three bricks laid on the flat, set in good Portland cement, and over that a layer of plain tiles, the sides being made up to the ground-level with a 4½-inch wall, well built up in the same kind of cement; this made the whole water-tight, and prevented the roots of the surrounding trees from penetrating and robbing the ferns of their moisture. The space was filled up with earth, compounded of good loam, peat, and leaf-mould, in equal proportions, with about one-fifth of good rotten manure added thereto; these ingredients were thoroughly mixed and well trodden in, and then the ferns were planted. In forming this bed, provision was made for the escape of the surplus water, by introducing into the front wall, at about 4 ins. from the bottom, a common 3-in. drain-pipe, which communicated with a small tank, about 3 ft. square, sunk into the chalk, so that all waste water became absorbed. This method proved to be eminently successful, the plants far surpassing in size any I have ever seen under artificial cultivation, and, judging from report, rivalling their growth in their natural habitats. Last season I could boast of Osmunda regalis with fronds at least 8 ft. in length, Osmunda spectabilis 4½ ft., Osmunda Claytoniana 5 ft., Osmunda cinnamomea 3 ft., and the beautiful Osmunda regalis, var. cristata, 3 ft. in length. Adiantum pedatum grew from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in height, and others were proportionally fine. The plants were not drawn up by being planted closely together, but were placed at a fair distance apart, and became handsome and noble specimens. Every spring I apply a dressing of about two inches of rotten manure to the surface, and just cover it with mould for the sake of appearance. The artificial swamp is the admiration of all the visitors here. The plants are always in a healthy and vigorous state, and have none of that half-starved appearance so frequently to be seen. The result of my experience induces me to believe that a more liberal treatment would not be found objectionable in the cultivation of many more of our native ferns. I intend making the experiment this season, and may possibly find time to make known what amount of success I may meet with. In concluding my remarks upon what I may term ‘growing Osmundas under difficulties,’ I would observe that the points to be principally attended to are—(1) a deep water-tight and root-tight tank, the depth of which may, with advantage, be more than in the case I have described; (2) a rich nutritious soil; (3) a reasonable amount of water; and (4) a drain to carry off the surplus.”
*Pæonia tenuifolia.—A charming plant, about 1½ ft. or 2 ft. high, with numerous upright stems almost completely hidden by the dense finely-cut leaves, producing an effect which very much resembles that afforded by the foliage of the Ferulas. The flowers are of a deep crimson, or purplish-red, and about 2½ ins. broad, solitary and erect on the tops of the stems. It does well in almost any soil or position, and might with advantage be now and then used as an isolated specimen on the turf.
*Panicum altissimum.—A very handsome hardy perennial grass, very like P. virgatum, and often confounded with it, although much more elegant in habit. It forms dense, erect tufts from 2 ft. to 6½ ft. high, according to climate, soil, and temperature. The leaves are linear, finely toothed, long, and arching. When in flower the plant presents a very attractive appearance, the inflorescence consisting of very large panicles of slender whorled branchlets covered with numerous small spikelets of flowers, which ultimately assume a tinge of dark chestnut-red.
*Panicum bulbosum.—A tall and strong species, with a free and beautiful inflorescence. It grows about 5 ft. high, and the flowers are very gracefully spread forth. It forms an elegant plant for the flower-garden in which grace and variety are sought; for dotting about here and there, near the margins of shrubberies, etc.; and for naturalisation.
*Panicum capillare.—A hardy annual kind, growing in tufts from 16 ins. to 20 ins. high, and very ornamental when in full flower, the tufts being then covered with large, pyramidal panicles, which are borne both at the ends of the stems and in the axils of the stem-leaves. Grows in any soil or position, and sows itself. I noticed it in great abundance in cultivated fields in many parts of Canada and the United States. Well suited for border beds or isolation, being one of the most graceful plants in cultivation. It is commonly grown under the name of Eragrostis elegans.
*Panicum virgatum.—A handsome, bold, hardy species from N. America, growing, in good soil, to a height of nearly 3½ ft. It forms close, compact tufts of leaves, a foot or more long, which, from July to the first frosts, are crowned with very large, dense, branching panicles. The general colour of the plant is a fine lively green, and its graceful habit renders it an admirable subject for the picturesque flower-garden, the pleasure-ground, etc., in isolated tufts. It is also fine for borders. The best mode of multiplying it is by division in the spring, when vegetation is just commencing.