Gardening For The Million Part 26

Senecio Pulcher (_n.o.ble Crimson Groundsel_).--A warm position and a deep, rich, well-drained soil are needed for this flower. It may be propagated by cutting the roots into pieces 5 or 6 in. long, and dibbling them into light soil. It is also increased by the rootlets, which send up small growths in spring. Protect from damp and frost, and keep a sharp look-out for slugs. The flowers are produced in autumn. Height, 3 ft.

Senna, Bladder.--_See_ "Colutea."

Sensitive Plant.--_See_ "Mimosa."

Shallots.--Plant the bulbs in November, or in February or March, in rows 9 in. apart, and the bulbs 6 in. one from the other. In July, when the tops are dying down, lift the bulbs, lay them in the suns.h.i.+ne to dry, then store them in a cool place.

Shamrock.--_See_ "Trifolium Repens."

Sheep Scabious.--_See_ "Jasione."

Shortia Galacifolia.--A hardy, creeping Alpine evergreen, having oval leaves, slightly notched at the margins, which turn to a brilliant crimson during the autumn and winter months. In April and May it produces pearly-white flowers, somewhat Campanulate in form. It may be planted in early autumn or spring. A light, rich soil suits it best, and it delights in partial shade. It is a lovely plant for rock-work.

Height, 6 in.

Shrubs.--Deciduous shrubs may be transplanted at any time during late autumn or winter when the ground is not too wet. Evergreen shrubs may be moved either early in autumn or in April or May, damp, warm, but not sunny weather being most suitable for the operation. They rejoice in a clean, healthy soil, such as good loam; animal manure does not agree with them, but wood ashes, or charcoal powder with a little guano, may be used. Cuttings of shrubs or trees may be taken in September, placed in a mixture of sandy loam and leaf-mould with 1/2 in. of sand on top, and covered with a hand-gla.s.s; 5 to 8 in. is a good length for the cuttings, all of which, with the exception of about 1 in., should be buried, and preferably with a heel of old wood.

Keep the soil just damp and give shade.

Shrubs for Lawns.--Monkey Puzzle (_Araucaria Imbricata_)--mix wood ashes and burnt refuse with the soil; Thujopsis Delabrata, Thujopsis Borealis (of taller growth), Irish Yews, Cupressus Lawsoniana Erecta Viridis, Thujas Orientalis, Vervaeneana, Semperaurescens, Standard Rhododendrons, Standard and Pyramid Hollies, Yucca Gloriosa (a perfect picture), Yucca Recurva (the best hardy plant for vases). The Cercis tree is also well adapted for lawns.

Sicyos.--This hardy annual somewhat resembles the Cuc.u.mber, but is scarcely worth growing except as a curiosity. The seeds are sown on a hotbed in spring, potted off when strong enough, and transferred to the open border early in June. It is a climber, and flowers in August.

Height, 3 ft.

Sidalcea.--Very pretty hardy perennials, of easy culture. S. Candida has pure white flowers closely arranged on the upper part of the stems. S. Malvaeflora bears beautifully fringed, satiny pink flowers.

They will grow in any good soil from seed sown in autumn and protected during the winter, or they may be increased by division of the roots.

Height, 3 ft.

Silene _(Catchfly_).--Elegant plants, delighting in a light, rich soil. Sow the seeds of the annual varieties early in April where they are intended to bloom. Silene Pendula, when sown in the autumn, makes a pleasing show of pink flowers in the spring. The roots of the herbaceous kinds may be divided in spring. The shrubby sorts are increased by cuttings planted under a hand-gla.s.s. The dwarfs make fine rock-work ornaments. Flowers are produced in June and July. Height, 2 in. to 1-1/2 ft.

Silphium Aurantiac.u.m.--A good and hardy border perennial, which produces during July and August large deep orange-yellow flowers resembling a Sunflower. It is very useful for cutting, will grow anywhere, and can be increased by dividing the root. Height, 4 ft.

Sisyrinchium Grandifolium(_Satin Flower, or Rush Lily_).--A light loam suits this plant, which is moderately hardy. The soil should be moist, but not wet. It does not like being disturbed, but when necessary the crowns may be divided in autumn, taking care to spread the roots well out. It blooms in April or May. Height, 1 ft.

Skimmia.--Neat-growing, dwarf evergreen shrubs having Laurel-like leaves, and producing a profusion of scarlet berries in winter. They succeed in any ordinary soil, but thrive best in peat and loam; and are propagated by cuttings placed in heat under gla.s.s.

Slugs.--A sharp watch should be kept over all slugs, and constant visits paid to the garden at daybreak for their destruction. If fresh cabbage leaves are strewed about in the evening the slugs will congregate under them, and in the morning they may be gathered up and dropped into strong brine. The ground may also be dusted with fresh lime, which is fatal to them, but in wet weather the lime soon loses its power.

Smilax.--A greenhouse climbing plant that is admired for its foliage rather than its bloom. A mixture of peat and loam or leaf-mould and sandy loam suits it. Train the shoots up string, and freely water the plant in summer; during the autumn and winter it does not need much moisture. Keep the temperature of the house up to 60 degrees throughout the winter. It is readily increased by cuttings. It flowers in July. Fine for table decoration. Height, 4 ft.

Snails.--To prevent snails crawling up walls or fruit trees daub the ground with a thick paste of soot and train oil. There is no remedy so effectual for their destruction as hand-picking.

Snake's Head Lilies.--_See_ "Fritillarias."

Snapdragon.--_See_ "Antirrhinum."

Sneezewort.--_See_ "Achillea."

s...o...b..ll Tree.--_See_ "Viburnum."

s...o...b..rry.--_See_ "Symphoricarpus."

Snowdrops _(Galanthus)._--These are most effective in clumps. They may be planted at any time from September to December, and left alone for three or four years, when they may be taken up and divided. They grow best in a light, rich soil.

Snowdrop Tree.--_See_ "Halesia."

Snowflake.--_See_ "Leucojum."

Snow in Summer.--_See_ "Arabis."

Soil and its Treatment.--Loam is a mixture of clay and sand. When the former predominates it is termed heavy loam, and when the latter abounds it is called light.

Marl is a compound of chalk and clay, or chalk and loam. Though suitable for certain fruit-trees and a few other things, few flowers will grow in it.

Drainage is one of the most important considerations in the cultivation of flowers. Should the soil be clayey, and hold water, make V-shaped drains, 3 ft. below the surface, and let 2-in. pipes lead to a deep hole made at the lowest part of the garden and filled with brick rubbish, or other porous substances, through which the water may drain; otherwise the cold, damp earth will rot the roots of the plants.

Trenching is the process of digging deep, so as to loosen and expose the soil as much as possible to the action of the air. If this is done in the autumn or early winter to a new garden, it is best to dig it deep, say about 2 ft, and leave it in large clods to the pulverising action of the frost, after which it is easily raked level for spring planting. If the clods are turned over the gra.s.s will rot and help to improve the ground; new land thus treated will not require manuring the first year. Should the ground be clayey, fine ashes or coa.r.s.e sand thrown over the rough clods after trenching will greatly improve it.

Digging should be done when the ground is fairly dry, and about one spade deep. Avoid treading it down as much as possible.

Hoeing must be constantly attended to, both to prevent the soil becoming exhausted of its nourishment by the rapid growth of weeds, and because when the surface becomes hard and cracked the rain runs through the deep fissures, leaving the surface soil dry and the roots of the plants unnourished.

Mulching consists in spreading a layer of stable manure, about 3 in.

deep, over the roots of trees and plants in the autumn to keep them warm and moist. The manure may be forked into the soil in the spring.

Watering the plants carefully is of great consequence. Evening or early morning is the best time, and one copious application is far better than little and often. Water may be given to the _roots_ at any time, but should not be sprinkled over the leaves in a hot sun nor in cold weather. Plants having a soft or woolly foliage should never be wetted overhead, but those with hard and s.h.i.+ny leaves may be freely syringed, especially when in full growth.

Solanum.--Showy greenhouse shrubs, some of which have ornamental foliage. The soil in which they are grown should be light and rich.

Cuttings planted in sand under gla.s.s strike readily. The tender annual varieties may be sown on a hotbed in spring, and placed in the border at the end of May in a dry, sheltered situation, where they will flower in June. Height, 1 ft. and upwards.

Soldanellas.--These small herbaceous perennials should find a place in all Alpine collections. They grow best in sandy peat, or in leaf-mould with a liberal addition of sand, and they require a moderate amount of moisture. They may be increased by dividing the roots in April. They flower from March to May. Height, 4 in. or 5 in.

Solidago (_Golden Rod_).--A useful hardy perennial for the back of borders. Throughout late summer and autumn it produces ma.s.ses of golden flowers. It is not over-particular as to soil, and may be increased by dividing the root in the spring. It increases very rapidly. Height, 2 ft. to 6 ft.

Solomon's Seal (_Polygonatum Multiflorum_).--A graceful hardy plant bearing white pendulent flowers on long curving stems. Plant freely in light, rich soil, in a shady position or under trees. The plants should not be disturbed, even by digging among the roots. Flowers in May. Height, 2 ft.

Soot-Water.--For room and window plants soot-water has this advantage over coa.r.s.e animal manures, that while the latter are unhealthy and apt to taint the air, the former is purifying and has no unpleasant smell. It is easily made by tying a little soot in a coa.r.s.e canvas bag and immersing it in a pail of water. It should be applied in a clear, thin state to plants in bud or in full growth during the summer months.

Sorrel.--Sow in March or April in any garden soil, thin out to 1 ft.

apart. It is desirable to cut away the flower-stems and to divide the roots every two or three years. The plants may be forced for winter use.

Southernwood (_Artemisia Arborea_).--Any soil suits this odoriferous bush, and it is readily increased by cuttings or by division.

Sparaxis.--Closely allied to the Ixias, equally beautiful and varied in colour, but rather dwarfer and compact in growth. Invaluable for pot-culture. For outdoor cultivation plant them early in September, 5 or 6 in. deep, on a sheltered border, in rich, well-drained, loamy soil. Protect from frost and wet in the winter, but keep the roots moist while they are growing. For indoor cultivation plant four to six bulbs in a 5-in. pot, plunge in ashes in a cold frame, withholding water till the plants appear. When making full growth remove them to a sunny window or conservatory, and water them carefully. They will bloom in March or April. Height, 3 ft.

Sparmannia Africana.--An exceedingly handsome and attractive greenhouse evergreen shrub, thriving best in loam and peat. Cuttings may be struck in sand under gla.s.s. May is its flowering season.

Height, 10 ft.

Spartium Junceum(_Yellow Broom_).--A hardy evergreen shrub which will grow in any soil, and is propagated by seeds. It flowers in August.

Height, 6 ft.