Dictionary of Flowers And Plants For Gardening

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especially in the winter and spring. The plants have rather a rambling
habit, and are usually trained over balloon or pyramidal trellises;
but this trouble can be spared by cutting them back freely and
employing a few light sticks to keep them within bounds.


Christmas Rose.--See "Helleborus."


Chrysanthemum.--The Chrysanthemum will grow in any good mould, a
naturally good soil being often preferable to an artificial one. Where
the ground is not in good condition a compost may be made of one-half
rich loam and one-fourth each of well-rotted manure and leaf-mould,
with sufficient sand to keep it porous. Cuttings taken in November or
December make the finest exhibition plants. Pot them singly in 2-in.
or 3-in. pots; stand them on coal ashes in a cold frame, and re-pot
them in March or April in 6-in. pots, making the soil moderately firm.
When they attain the height of 6 in. pinch off the extreme point of
the shoot, which will induce the growth of side-shoots. Shift the
plants from time to time into larger pots, until at the end of May
they receive their final shift into 10-in. pots, after which they
must not on any account be stopped. In June they may be placed in a
sheltered and partially shaded part of the open border, standing the
pots on pieces of slate to prevent the ingress of worms. Syringe the
leaves each day and give the roots a liberal supply of liquid manure.
When the flower-buds begin to show colour, discontinue the manure
water. Thin out the flower-buds, leaving two or three only of the
strongest on each stem. At the end of September they must be removed
to a cool greenhouse to flower. Where there is no greenhouse a canvas
structure may be erected to protect them from the cold. Good plants
for the border may be raised from cuttings in March or April. These
should be kept close in a frame until rooted, then gradually hardened
off, and planted in rich soil. Syringing with soot-water twice a week
until the flower-buds appear will darken the leaves and deepen the
colour of the flowers.


Chrysogonum Virginianum.--A free-flowering, hardy, herbaceous plant,
best grown in loam and peat. Its deep-golden, star-shaped flowers are
produced from June to September. Cuttings of ripened wood planted in
sand and subjected to moist heat will strike. It may also be increased
by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft.


Cichorium Intybus.--This is a hardy herbaceous plant producing blue
flowers in July. It will grow in any soil and needs no special
treatment. Seeds may be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 2 ft.


Cimcifuga.--These hardy herbaceous plants will flourish in any good
garden soil and are easily raised from seed, or they may be increased
by dividing the roots. Various species produce their flowers from May
to September. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft.


Cinerarias.--These grow well in a soil composed of equal parts of rich
loam, leaf-mould, and thoroughly rotted horse-dung, liberally mixed
with sharp sand. They are increased by seed, cuttings, or off-sets.
The seed should be sown as soon as it is ripe and covered with the

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