*Salvia argentea (S. patula).—A handsome biennial about 3½ ft. high, forming broad spreading rosettes of large, oval, heart-shaped leaves, densely covered with long silky hairs of a silvery whiteness, and bearing large panicles of white flowers. An excellent subject for grouping on grass-plats or the uneven parts of pleasure-grounds. Where the effect of the foliage only is desired the flower-stems should be pinched off as soon as they appear; the leaves will then preserve their freshness and silvery colour throughout the year. A light, sandy, or gravelly soil is the most suitable. Easily propagated by sowing in autumn, and keeping the seedlings in a cold frame through the winter, giving them air as often as possible, and watering very moderately. This plant is most effective during its first summer, and before it makes an attempt to flower. S. Europe.
*Scirpus lacustris (Bulrush).—This giant rush sends up numerous smooth green stems as thick as the finger at the base, and from 3 ft. to 8 ft. high. In still water the bases of these are covered with leafless sheaths, but in running water the uppermost sheath produces at its extremity a leaf of several inches in length, in addition to which numerous barren tufts of leaves, often of great length, and resembling those of Sparganium affine, are also produced. When in flower, the stems are crowned with short, umbel-like, chestnut-coloured panicles. It is very effective on the margins of lakes or streams, associated with other tall and imposing aquatic plants.
Seaforthia elegans.—One of the most beautiful of the Palm family, from the northern parts of Australia, where it attains a height of about 30 ft., but in this country seldom arrives at more than half its full size. The leaves are from 2 ft. to 10 ft. in length, and are divided into numerous narrow leaflets from 1 ft. to 1½ ft. long, and of a dark green colour. The whole plant is perfectly smooth, and is one of the finest subjects in cultivation for the conservatory, greenhouse, or subtropical garden. It may be placed in the open air from the middle or end of May until the beginning of October. It is too scarce as yet to be procurable by horticulturists generally, but should be looked for by all who take an interest in these matters and have a house in which to grow it. It stands well in the conservatory during the winter, though generally kept in the stove, where of course it grows beautifully. There are hardier kinds—the dwarf Fan-palm for example—but on the whole none of them are so valuable as this.
Senecio Ghiesbreghtii.—A handsome Mexican plant with stout, round, spotted stems, 3 to 4 ft. high, and large oval-oblong, thick, coarsely-toothed leaves of a light green colour, and slightly rolled down at the margin. Flowers small, yellow, very numerous, in corymbose clusters of enormous size. A useful plant for isolation on grass-plats, or for beds, etc. Young plants are to be preferred for this purpose, as the old ones are apt to become bare and ragged-looking at the base. Plant in a mixture of peat soil and free loam at the end of May. Multiplied by cuttings in winter, struck under glass in a temperate heat in early spring.
Senecio Petasites (Cineraria platanifolia).—Another Mexican species, nearly 3½ ft. high, with a stout, half-shrubby, slightly-branching stem, and large, dark-green, roughish, lobed leaves. It requires a substantial, but free and cool soil, and may be multiplied at almost any season by cuttings. It requires greenhouse protection in winter, grows freely in the open air planted out in early summer, and is suitable for beds or groups associated with the medium-sized subjects.
*Seseli gummiferum. (Silvery Seseli).—An umbelliferous plant with elegantly-divided leaves of a peculiarly pleasing glaucous or almost silvery tone. I am not sure whether this plant is perennial or not, and it is not hardy on cold soils, having perished during several of our most severe winters, but it is so unique in its way that some persons might like to grow it, and if so the best position is on dry and sunny banks, or raised beds or borders. It is one of the few subjects that are at once fern-like and silvery, and if plentiful enough might be used to form charming edgings. It is not difficult to raise from seed, which should be sown soon after being gathered. As it is liable to perish in winter, perhaps the best way to deal with it would be to put it out annually at the end of spring, raising it and keeping it in frames for this purpose; and to secure seeds a few plants might be left in 10 in. or 12 in. pots, so that the seed might be gathered under cover. Doubtless, however, continental raisers can supply it. S. Russia.
*Silphium integrifolium.—This composite has a rough, vigorous, rigid, slightly four-angled, grooved stem, from 2 ft. to 4 ft. high, and leaves from 3 ins. to 5 ins. long, all opposite, lanceolate-ovate, entire, tapering to a sharp point from a roundish heart-shaped and partly-clasping base, and covered with a roughish down. The flower-heads are of a greenish-yellow, on short stalks, in a close, forking corymb. A variety (S. læve) has the leaves and stem smooth, or nearly so. This and the following kinds are only suited for the rougher parts of the pleasure-ground, and by wood-walks, etc.; they will be seen to greatest advantage in rich and deep soil, but will grow in any kind. Division. N. America.
*Silphium laciniatum (Compass-plant).—A vigorous perennial with a stout, round stem, often upwards of 8 ft. in height. The leaves, which are collected chiefly about the base of the plant, are large, wrinkled, and deeply-divided into lance-shaped, pointed segments, and fringed with white hairs. The stem-leaves are few, much smaller, and opposite. Flowers of a fine yellow with a brownish centre, in large, few, solitary, short-stalked, horizontal or drooping heads, which have the peculiarity of facing to the east. Division. N. America.
*Silphium perfoliatum (Cup-plant).—A robust-growing North American perennial from 4 ft. to 8 ft. in height, with a square stem and broad, opposite, oval, lance-shaped, coarsely toothed leaves, 6 ins. to 15 ins. long, rough on both sides, the upper ones united at their bases; the lower ones abruptly narrowed into winged leaf-stalks, which are also united at their bases. Flower-heads about 2 ins. across, with a greenish-yellow disk and a yellow ray. Does best in a deep, free, well-drained, sandy soil, but will grow well when the ground is slightly moist, especially in warm, but not too shady, positions. Division.
*Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie-Dock).—A large kind with smooth slender stems from 4 ft. to 10 ft. high, panicled at the summit, and bearing many small heads of light yellow flowers. The leaves are ovate-oblong, thick and rough, especially beneath, and from 1 ft. to 2 ft. long, on slender stalks. A variety (pinnatifidum) has the leaves deeply cut or pinnatifid. This species is remarkable for its strong turpentine odour. Division. N. America.