*Tanacetum vulgare var. crispum.—A very elegant variety of the common tansy, much dwarfer in stature, and with smaller emerald-green leaves, which are very elegantly cut, and have a crisped or frizzled appearance. It is quite hardy, and forms an effective ornament on the margins of shrubberies, near rockwork, etc. It does best fully exposed, and probably the only way in which it can be benefited after planting—in deep and rather moist soil it does best, but will grow “anywhere”—is by thinning out the shoots in spring, so that each remaining one shall have free room to suspend its exquisite leaves; thinned thus, it looks much better than when the stems are crowded, and of course, if it is done in time, they individually attain more strength and dignity. The flowers should be pinched off before they open. Britain.
Thalia dealbata.—This is one of the finest aquatic plants which we can employ in the embellishment of pieces of water, streams, etc. In a warm and sheltered position, and on a substantial and rich bottom, it grows vigorously, sometimes attaining a height of 6 ft. The best mode of growing it is in pots or tubs pierced with holes, in a mixture of stiff peat and clayey soil, with a portion of river-mud and sand. In winter these pots or tubs may be submerged to a greater depth, and the plants be thus effectually protected. It would not attain the above size out of doors except in warm places in the southern counties, in which it might be planted out directly without taking the precautions above described. It is generally grown in the stove in this country. N. America.
*Thalictrum minus.—One of the most elegant-leaved of our native plants, forming compact, roundish bushes, from a foot to 18 ins. high, very symmetrical, and of a slightly glaucous hue. It may be grown in any soil, and requires only one little attention, namely, to pinch off the slender flower-stems that appear in May and June. Not alone in its aspect, as a little bushy tuft, does it resemble the “Maidenhair Fern,” as Adiantum cuneatum is often called, but the leaves are almost pretty enough to pass, when mingled with flowers, for those of the fern; they are also stiffer and more lasting than fern-leaves, and are well suited for mingling with vases of flowers, etc. There are probably several “forms” or varieties of this plant. It would look very pretty isolated in large tufts as an edging, or in borders, or in groups of dwarf subjects. Easily increased by division.
*The Tritomas.—So hardy, so magnificent in colouring, and so fine in form are these plants, that we can no more dispense with their use in the garden where beauty of form as well as colour is to prevail, than we can with the noble Pampas grass. They are more conspicuously beautiful, when other things begin to succumb before the gusts and heavy rains of autumn, than any plants which flower in the bright days of midsummer. It is not alone as component parts of large ribbon-borders and in such positions that these grand plants are useful, but in almost any part of the garden. Springing up as a bold, close group on the green turf, and away from brilliant surroundings, they are more effective than when associated with bedding plants; and of course many such spots may be found for them near the margins of the shrubberies in most pleasure-grounds. It is in an isolated group, flaming up amid the verdure of trees and shrubs and grass, that their dignified aspect and brilliant colour are seen to best advantage. However, tastefully disposed in the flower-garden, they will prove generally useful, and particularly for association with the finer autumn-flowering herbaceous plants. A most satisfactory result may be produced by associating the Tritomas with the Pampas grass and the two Arundos, the large Statice latifolia, and the strong and beautiful autumn-flowering Anemone japonica alba, which is peculiarly suited for association with hardy herbaceous plants of fine habit, and should be in every garden where a hardy flower is valued.
The Tritomas are not fastidious as to soil, and with a little preparation of the ground may be grown almost anywhere. They thrive with extraordinary vigour and freedom where the soil is very sandy as well as rich and deep, and are readily multiplied by division.
As every garden should be embellished by well-developed specimens or groups of these fine plants, those who have very poor and thin, or pure clay soils, would do well to excavate the ground to the depth of 2 ft. or 3 ft., and fill in with good rich loam. When the soil is deep, no watering will be required.
*Tritoma Burchelli.—This kind is distinguished by the lighter green of its leaves, by its black-spotted flower-stem, and especially by the colour of its flowers, which are crimson at the base, passing into carmine in the middle, and pale-yellow or greenish at the tips. There is a variety which has the leaves variegated or striped with white, but it is somewhat tender and rare.
*Tritoma glauca.—A dwarfer kind than T. Uvaria, with leaves of a sea-green colour, and very large spikes of scarlet-and-yellow flowers, which, when in bud, are hidden by long, sea-green bracts, streaked and rayed with white. There is a scarce variety with recurved leaves (T. g. recurvata), which has somewhat of the habit of a Bromelia. S. Africa.
*Tritoma præcox.—A recently-introduced, handsome, hardy perennial, with very much the habit of T. Uvaria. The flower-stem grows from 20 ins. to 2 ft. high, and the flowers, which are produced about the middle of May, are of a bright-red colour when exposed to the full sun, and of a bright-yellow when grown in the shade. The leaves are fully 2 ft. long, sharply keeled, and with toothed edges. S. Africa.
*Tritoma Uvaria.—A very ornamental and well-known kind from S. Africa, forming thick tufts of linear, erect leaves. It is a vigorous grower, and small specimens have been known in three years to form tufts from 3 ft. to 4 ft. through, bearing from 50 to 100 flower-spikes. The flowering-stems are about 3¼ ft. in height, and the flowers are borne in dense conical clusters at the top. The upper part of the cluster, containing the young flowers, is of a coral-red colour, the lower part yellow, all the flowers gradually changing to this colour. Other varieties in cultivation are—T. U. grandis or grandiflora, which is much taller than the preceding kind, with stouter stems and larger flower-spikes; T. U. Rooperi, which only differs from the type in being somewhat dwarfer in habit and having softish or flaccid leaves, frequently falling forward; it also flowers later; and T. U. Lindleyana, which has erect, very rigid leaves, and more deeply-coloured flowers than the type.