Height, 6 ft.
Specularia Speculum.--See "Venus's Looking-Glass."
Spergula Pilfera.--May be grown in any moist situation in sandy soil.
It is of little value.
Sphenogyne Speciosa.--An elegant hardy annual. Sow the seed early in
spring on a gentle hotbed in loam and peat, harden off, and transplant
at the end of May to a soil composed of loam and leaf-mould, if peat
cannot be obtained. The bloom is produced in July. Height, 1 ft.
Spider Wort.--See "Commelina" and "Tradescantia."
Spigelia Marilandica.--From August to October this hardy perennial
produces tubular crimson and yellow flowers. It finds a congenial home
in damp peat, shaded from the sun, and may be propagated by cuttings
in loam and peat under glass. Height, 1 ft.
Spinach.--For summer use sow the round-seeded kinds at intervals of
two or three weeks from February to the end of July in rows 1 ft.
apart, cover with the finest of soil, and thin out to a distance of 3
or 4 in. In dry weather give a liberal supply of manure water. Pull
before it runs to seed. For winter use sow the prickly-seeded variety
in August and September, and thin the plants out 9 in. apart. If the
ground is hot and dry, the seed should be soaked for twenty-four hours
before it is sown. New Zealand Spinach may be sown in the open during
May, choosing the warmest spot for its growth; but it is best to
sow it in heat in March, keeping the soil fairly moist, and, after
hardening it off, to plant it out in June, 3 ft. apart Sow Perpetual
Spinach or Spinach Beet in March in drills 1 ft. apart. Cut the leaves
frequently, when a fresh crop will be produced.
Spiraeas.--Placed in the open ground these make splendid plants, and
are not particular as to soil, though a moist, rich one is preferable.
For forcing, plant the clumps in 6-in. pots, and keep them in a cool
frame until they are well rooted. They may then be removed indoors
and forced rapidly, supplying them with an abundance of water.
Their elegant flower spikes are invaluable for bouquets and table
decoration. The shrubby kinds are increased by layers or cuttings of
the young wood, the herbaceous varieties by division of the roots
in autumn. Spiraea Aruncus, if potted early in the autumn, is very
valuable for winter decoration. Spiraeas bloom at different periods,
from May to August, and vary in height, 3 or 4 ft. being the general
growth.
Spruce Firs.--See "Abies."
Stachys Coccinea.--This scarlet hardy annual is fine for bees. It may
be grown in any soil from seed sown in March or April. Height, 1 ft.
Stachys Lanata.--A hardy perennial which will grow in any soil, and
bears division. It flowers in July. Height, 2 ft.