Gardening For The Million Part 12

Gages.--The cultivation of Gages is similar to that of Plums. In the open they may be grown as dwarfs or pyramids, and in orchard-houses as gridirons, cordons, or in pots. The chief points to observe are to thin the branches in order to admit plenty of light into the middle of the tree, thus inducing the production of a plentiful supply of fruit spurs, and to occasionally lift and root-prune the tree if growing too strong. Among the choicest sorts are: Bonne Bouche (producing its fruit at the end of August), Coe's Golden Drop (end of September), Old Green Gage (August), Guthrie's Late Green Gage (September), M'Laughlin's Gage (end of August), Oullin's Golden Gage (end of August), and Reine Claude de Bavay (beginning of October).

Gaillardia (_Blanket Flower_).--Very ornamental flowers, which will grow in any common soil, but thrive most in a light, rich one. Seeds of the annual kinds are sown in the spring. The perennials are increased by dividing the roots. Bloom in July. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.

Galanthus.--_See_ "Snowdrops."

Galax Aphylla (_Wand Plant_).--The Heart-shaped Galax is a charming little plant for rock-work. It is perennial, and does not lose the old leaves till the new ones appear. A rich, light mould is required for its growth, and its situation should be a somewhat shady one. Its flowers are borne in July and August, on stalks 1 ft. or more high.

The plant may be increased by taking up a strong clump, shaking it apart, and transplanting at once. (_See also_ "Shortia.")

Galega (_Goats Rue_).--Ornamental hardy perennials, requiring plenty of room. They are readily increased by seed or division of the root, and flower in July. Height, 3 ft. to 4 ft.

Galium.--This hardy herbaceous plant blooms in July. It will grow in any soil, and can be increased by division of the root. Height, 1 ft.

Gardenias.--Plant in a hothouse in fibrous peat mixed with a large proportion of sand. Give plenty of heat and moisture during growth, with a thin shade to keep off the sun's midday rays. Lower the temperature as soon as growth is completed, and in the middle of summer stand the plants out in the open for a week or two for the wood to ripen. Height, 3 ft.

Garlic.--Plant small cloves from February to April in rows 9 in. apart and 6 in. from each other in the row. Lift them when the leaves die down, dry them in the suns.h.i.+ne, and store in an airy, cool shed.

Garrya Elliptica.--A hardy evergreen shrub, which is very suitable in its early stages for pot-culture. A light, loamy soil is what it likes. Cuttings taken in August and placed in sand under a hand-gla.s.s will strike freely, but it is most readily increased by layers. In October it bears graceful yellowish-green ta.s.sels of flowers from the ends of its shoots. Height, 6 ft.

Gasteria Verrucosa.--This plant grows best in pots of turfy loam and leaf-mould, to which has been added a little old mortar. Good drainage is essential. Water freely in summer, and keep just moist in winter.

Keep the foliage clean by sponging. Give plenty of light, and during warm weather turn the plants out of doors.

Gastrolobium.--Elegant evergreen shrubs which flower in April and May.

They are most suitable for adorning the greenhouse, and grow best in a soil of loamy peat and sand. Cuttings of half-ripened wood planted under gla.s.s will take root. Height, 2 ft.

Gaultheria.--Dwarf, creeping evergreen shrubs, having dark foliage and producing white flowers in May, June, or July. They require to be grown in peat, and are increased by layers. G. Proc.u.mbens is suitable for rockeries, as it only grows to the height of 6 in. G. Shallon attains the height of 2 ft.

Gaura Lindheimeri.--This free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant will thrive in any light, rich soil. It bears elegant spikes of white flowers from May onwards, followed by red bracts in September, and is readily propagated by seeds. Height, 4 ft.

Gazania Splendens.--A showy greenhouse plant. It may be planted in the open in warm positions, but will require protecting in winter. Grow it in peat and loam. Cuttings will strike if placed in sand under gla.s.s.

It flowers in July. Height, 1 ft.

Genethyllis.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs which thrive best in sandy loam and peat. Cuttings of the young wood planted in the same soil and plunged in heat will take root. Their flowering season is in August.

Height, 3 ft.

Genista (_Broom_).--G. Canariense is an exceedingly ornamental and free-flowering greenhouse shrub. It should be planted in a mixture of loam, peat, and sand. Young cuttings inserted in sand under a gla.s.s take root readily. It blooms in June. Height, 2 ft. Hardy species of Genista may be placed in the front of shrubberies. They are increased by seeds or by layers.

Gentians.--The herbaceous kinds do best in a light, rich soil, such as loam and peat mixed with vegetable mould. The annuals are raised from seed sown as soon as it is ripe; if left till spring before it is sown it will probably not come up till the second year. The perennials are increased by dividing the roots. Both of the latter kinds do best in a dry, sandy soil. Gentiana Acaulis, or Gentianella, is very suitable for edgings, or for rock-work; it is an evergreen creeper, and bears large trumpet-shaped flowers of rich ultramarine blue. All the Gentians need plenty of free air, and some of them moisture at the roots. Bloom in July. Height, 4 in. to 2 ft.

Geranium Argentium(_Silvery Crane's-Bill_).--This hardy perennial alpine is very effective on rock-work, especially in front of dark stones; but provision must be made for its long tap roots. A rich, deep loam suits it well. Its seeds germinate freely when sown in peat and sand. Flowers are borne from May to July. Height, 6 in.

Geraniums.--Take cuttings in July or August, and let them he to partially dry for twenty-four hours before planting. When rooted pot them off in 60's, and keep them under gla.s.s during the winter at a temperature of 55 degrees. If the cuttings are taken in September put three or four slips in a 48-size pot. In the spring they should be re-potted singly and hardened off as early as possible. A suitable soil for them is made by mixing two parts of good turfy loam, one of leaf-mould, one of well-decomposed cow-dung, and a good proportion of silver sand. Bone dust is an excellent addition to the soil. Old plants stripped of their leaves may be packed in sand during the winter, and re-potted in spring.

Gerardia.--These hardy perennials form pyramidal bushes bearing Pentstemon-like flowers, thickly set and varying in colour from light pink to dark purple. A peat soil suits them best. They may be propagated by cuttings placed under gla.s.s, but are best grown from seed. July is their flowering season. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.

German Seeds.--These require to be sown in a cold frame in seed-pans, in the greenhouse, or under a handgla.s.s, in good, rich compost, composed of old turf, leaf-mould, some well-rotted manure, and silver sand. The seeds should be sown thinly and watered sparingly. Sow early in April, and transplant in the middle or end of May in rich soil.

Water occasionally with weak liquid manure.

Gesneria.--Handsome greenhouse perennials. They thrive in any light, rich soil. Cuttings will strike readily either in sand or soil if placed under gla.s.s in heat. They may also be raised from seed sown in a temperature of 75 degrees in March or April. They flower in October.

Height, 18 in.

Geum.--Very handsome hardy perennials. They grow well in any light, rich, loamy soil, and may be increased either by seeds or by dividing the roots. G. Coccineum is extremely pretty. Flower in July. Height, 18 in.

Gherkins.--Sow the seed the first week in April in small pots, and cover it lightly with fine soil. Plunge the pots in a hotbed covered with a frame. When grown to nice little plants, remove them to a cold frame to harden, and plant them out on a warm border towards the end of May. When the fruit begins to form, give liquid manure twice a week. For pickling they must be cut while small.

Gilia.--Extremely pretty and free-flowering hardy annuals, deserving of a place in every garden. They are very suitable for small beds.

They should be sown in the open early in spring. G. Tricolour may be sown in autumn. Bloom in July. Height, 1 ft.

Gillenia Trifoliata.--The Three-Leaved Gillenia is a hardy herbaceous perennial which is very useful as a cut flower for the decoration of vases, etc. It should be grown in large clumps, delights in a deep, moist soil and partial shade, and may be propagated by dividing the roots early in spring. It lasts in bloom from June to August. Height, 1 ft.

Gladiolus.--Dig the ground out to a depth of 1 ft. or 15 in.; put in a layer of leaf-mould or rotted manure, and then 4 or 5 in. of earth mixed with sand; insert the bulbs (6 in. from the surface and 9 in.

apart), cover them with 1 in. of sand, and fill up with earth. In frosty weather cover with a thick layer of litter. Give plenty of water when they begin to throw up their flower-stems. They may be planted at any time between December and the end of March. If planted late in the season, a depth of 3 or 4 in. is enough. The roots must be kept dry in winter. They are increased by off-sets, taken when the bulbs are removed from the ground after the leaves have turned yellow.

These should be planted at once in well-drained earth. If early flowers are required, plant the old bulbs in pots (three to six bulbs being placed in a 5-in. pot) any time between December and March. Give them frame culture up to the second week in May, when they may be transferred to the border. The flowers are invaluable for vase decoration.

Glaucium Flavum Tricolor (_Hardy Horn Poppy_).--The large, brilliant, orange-red flowers of this plant are very effective in the border, and the bloom is continuous during the greater part of the summer. The seed is rather slow to germinate, but when sown in the open ground in autumn, it blooms from June to August; when sown in early spring it flowers from July to September. Height, 2 ft.

Glaux Maritima (_Sea Milkweed_).--A pretty little hardy trailing plant bearing flesh-coloured flowers in June and July. It grows in sandy loam, and is raised from seed sown in spring. Height, 3 in.

Globe Amaranthus (_Gomphrena_).--This tender annual is well known for its clover-like heads of everlasting flowers. It will grow in any rich soil, but to produce really fine plants, much attention must be given to s.h.i.+fting, watering, etc. Increased by seed in the same manner as other tender annuals. Blooms in July. Height, 1 ft.

Globe Flower.--_See_ "Trollius."

Globe Thistle.--_See_ "Echinops."

Globularia Trichosantha.--A pretty dwarf perennial rock-plant bearing pale blue flowers in May and June. It is hardy, thrives in light, sandy soil, and is increased by either seeds or cuttings planted in sand. Height, 6 in. The greenhouse varieties of Globularia grow best in loam and peat.

Glory of the Snow.--_See_ "Chionodoxa."

Gloxinias.--A very ornamental family of tuberous-rooted hothouse plants. They are of two cla.s.ses, the drooping and the erect. Pot at any time during January and March in a mixture of equal quant.i.ties of loam, peat, and sand, with the addition of a little vegetable soil, and place in a warm (60 degrees), moist temperature, where they can be favoured with a little shade. In summer supply the roots plentifully with water, but give them very little in winter. Overhead watering is likely to rot the leaves and flowers. G. Maculata is increased by division. The leaves of most of the others, if taken off close to the stem, and planted, will soon make young plants. They may be raised from seed sown from March to July in a hothouse or frame having a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees. They flower in June, and on into September. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft.

Glycine.--_See_ "Wistaria" _and_ "Apios."

Gnaphalium _(Edelweiss_).--Hardy everlasting flowers, which are covered with a woolly substance. They may be grown in any light, rich soil. The shrubby and herbaceous kinds may be increased by cuttings or division. The annuals are easily raised from seed. They flower in July. Height, 1 ft.

Goat's Rue.--_See_ "Galega."

G.o.detia.--Very pretty hardy annuals, that may be grown in any garden soil. Sow in the autumn for early flowering, or in spring for later blooms. July is their ordinary season of coming into flower. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Golden Feather.--Hardy annual foliage plants. They are not particular as to soil, and are easily raised from seed sown early in spring. They bloom in July. Height, 1 ft.

Golden Rod.--_See_ "Solidago."

Gompholobium.--Delicate greenhouse evergreen shrubs requiring a soil of sandy loam and peat and but little water. They flower in June, and are propagated by cuttings planted in sand under gla.s.s. Height, 2 ft.

Gomphrena.--_See_ "Globe Amaranthus."

Gooseberries.--From the middle of October to the end of November is the best time for planting. To produce good crops the soil should be rich, deep, and well drained. The position should be somewhat cool and sheltered, and a liberal quant.i.ty of liquid manure is beneficial. In dry seasons mulching may be resorted to with advantage. Cuttings are taken in autumn as soon as the leaves begin to fall. Select strong shoots about 1 ft. long. Cut the bottom end straight across, just below a joint, and with a sharp knife remove all the buds or eyes from the base to within a couple of inches of the top, so as to prevent the formation of suckers. Plant the shoots firmly 3 in. deep, in rows 1 ft. apart and 6 in. apart in the rows, on a north border. At the end of the second season cut back all leading shoots to two-thirds of their length. In after years remove weak and superfluous branches, as also any that are growing near the ground, but plenty of young wood must always be left on the bushes. The pruning may be done either in spring or autumn. The following varieties may be recommended:--Red, White, and Yellow Champagne, Wilmot's Early Red, Golden Drop, Ironmonger, and Warrington Red for dessert; while for preserving and culinary purposes Old Rough Red, Conquering Hero, Favourite, Broom Girl, British Crown, Ironsides, Lady Leicester, Thumper, Green Walnut, Leader, and Moreton Hero may be cla.s.sed among the leading varieties.

When grown in bush form ample room must be allowed between each to enable one to get round the bushes to gather the fruit.