Letter “D” | Online Flowers Encyclopedia
D
Daffodils.—These will grow in any good, cool, moist, well-drained
garden soil if sand be put round their roots, but thrive best in a
moderately rich loam. They may remain in the ground for years, for large
bulbs produce the finest flowers. When the flowering is over the leaves
must be allowed to die down, not cut off. Plant from September to
December. The top of the bulb should be about 3 in. below the surface,
according to its size; 10 in. apart is a good distance. Daffodils are
also suitable for pot culture. Plant three to six bulbs, according to
size, in a 4-in. or 5-in. pot, using a compost of two parts fibrous
loam, one part leaf-mould, and one part sand. Place the pots on a bed of
ashes, and cover with 4 in. of cocoa-nut fibre. As soon as top growth
has commenced, remove the plants indoors, and give plenty of light and
air to prevent them being drawn. Daffodils likewise make a good display
when planted on a lawn.
Dahlias.—These attractive plants require a deep, friable soil, not
over rich. They may be grown from seed sown on a hotbed in March and
lightly covered with fine mould. As soon as they are up give all the air
which can with safety be given. When the seedlings are large enough pot
them off singly in the smallest-sized pots or round the edges of 6-in.
ones. Plant them out at the end of May, 1 ft. apart; they will flower at
the end of August. Any that turn out very good had better be propagated
by cuttings from the young tops, to save the kind in case the roots
should die. When flowering is over take up the young bulbs and treat
them as directed afterwards for old tubers.
Another way to propagate them is to place the old tubers in soil over a
hotbed early in March. When the shoots are a couple of inches high the
tubers may be taken up and divided with a sharp knife. Pot off
separately. Water them occasionally with liquid manure, made from guano
and powdered charcoal, well mixed with rain water, and plant them out
early in May. Give them plenty of room, and tie the branches securely to
stakes firmly fixed in the soil. When they have become good bushy plants
put a layer of half-rotted manure round each plant. As soon as frost
turns their foliage brown take them up, cut off the roots, leaving about
6 in. of stem attached, and plunge them into a box of sand, chaff, or
ashes, and preserve them from damp, frost, and heat during the winter.
Daisies (Bellis Perennis).—These pretty, little hardy perennials
are very useful as edgings. To grow them to perfection the ground should
be highly manured, and the roots divided every year, planting them out 6
in. apart in a cool, shady situation. October is a suitable time for
transplanting. They flower continuously from February to July. Height, 6
in.
Dandelions.—Dandelions on lawns, etc., may be killed by cutting
them down as low as possible, and putting a little gas-tar or a pinch of
salt on the wound. Or they may be dug up and blanched for mixing with
salad. In this case plant six roots in an 8-in. pot, and place an
inverted flower-pot over the whole, in order to exclude the light; the
plants are sometimes blanched in the open by covering them with old tan
or fine ashes. The flowers must be kept picked off, for they soon run to
seed, and if unattended to become troublesome.
Daphne.—Beautiful shrubs, mostly evergreens, bearing elegant
flowers followed by bright-red poisonous berries. D. Mezereum is the
most common variety, and is very suitable for the front of shrubberies.
The Chinese variety D. Odorata is too tender for outdoors, but makes a
fine ornament for the greenhouse. The dwarf kinds, bearing fragrant pink
flowers, are rather tender, but are very useful for rockeries occupying
sheltered positions. They all need a peaty soil, and may be increased by
grafting on to the common Spurge Laurel. Different varieties flower at
various periods, from February to October. Height, 9 in. to 6 ft, but
the majority are from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high.
Datura.—Ornamental half-hardy annuals. The seeds of all the
species must be sown on a hotbed early in spring. When the plants are
strong enough transplant them in the border, where they will bloom more
freely than in pots. The seeds of D. Ceratocaula will sometimes remain
several years in the ground before they germinate. They flower in July.
Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.
Day Flower.—See “Commelina.”
Day Lily.—See “Hemerocallis.”
Delphinium (Larkspur).—The gorgeous spikes of flowers produced
by these plants render them invaluable for the border. They like a deep
soil, highly enriched. The perennials may be divided at the root in
autumn, care being taken not to injure the young fleshy sprouts. The
annuals are readily raised from seed. The quickest way to grow the
perennial varieties from seed is to sow in a frame with a slight
bottom-heat, at any time from March to August; but sowings made in the
open from April to June will succeed. Keep the ground moist, and shade
from the sun till the plants are up, then transplant to nursery beds for
the summer, afterwards transferring them to their final quarters. Flower
in June and July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 6 ft.
Dentaria Digitata (Toothwort).—This tuberous hardy perennial
grows well in old leaf-mould, and is very suitable for the base portion
of rock-work, where it can obtain both shade from the midday sun and
moisture. It is readily increased by cutting the roots into pieces about
1-1/2 in. long, and replanting them where they are intended to bloom,
putting 1 in. or so of sand round them. They flower in May. Height,
1-1/2 ft.
Desfontania Spinosa.—A fine, evergreen wall shrub with holly-like
leaves, and long, pendulous scarlet and orange flowers in June. It grows
best in a compost of loam, peat, and sand, with a south or west aspect.
It is propagated by cuttings under glass. Height, 10 ft.
Desmodium Canadense.—This is a fine border hardy perennial,
producing long racemes of rosy-purple flowers in June or July. It
prefers a soil of sandy loam and peat, and may be increased by seed or
by cuttings planted in sand and subjected to heat. Height, 4 ft.
Desmodium Pendulaeflorum.—A hardy evergreen shrub, flowering in
July. It thrives in sandy loam and peat. Cuttings planted in sand with a
little bottom-heat and under glass will strike. Height, 6 ft.
Deutzia.—A beautiful conservatory shrub, bearing in spring a large
quantity of flowers resembling the snowdrop. A peaty soil suits it. It
is pretty hardy. Height, 3 ft.
Devil-in-a-Bush.—See “Nigella.”
Dianthus.—Very beautiful and fragrant flowers. The genus embraces
Carnations, Pinks, Picotees, and Sweet Williams. The soil most suitable
for them is a light, loamy one, mixed with a little rotten dung and
sand. It is well to confine the rarer kind to pots, so as the better to
protect them in winter. They are propagated by layers, cuttings, or
division of roots. If the cuttings are taken about the middle of June,
and placed under glass on a gentle hotbed, they will be ready in about
three weeks to plant out in the open. The annuals and biennials merely
require sowing where they are intended to bloom. Flower in July. Height,
1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.
Dictamnus (Burning Bush).—See “Fraxinella.”
Dielytra Spectabilis (Venus’s Car, Bleeding Heart, or Lyre
Flower).—One of the most elegant hardy perennials for forcing for
table decorations, or cutting for vases. The graceful, pendent branches
are laden with beautiful red or purple heart-shaped flowers; these,
combined with the delicate green of the foliage, give them a conspicuous
place among plants. Out of doors in summer, among shrubs or herbaceous
plants, they are exceedingly attractive. Let them be planted in tufty
groups in a warm, sheltered border of rich, light soil. They may be
increased by division of the root, as in the Dahlia, or by cuttings.
Height, 3 ft.
Digitalis (Foxglove).—Very showy, hardy, perennial border
plants. They will grow in any garden soil, and are readily raised from
seed, which, if sown in the autumn, will produce flowers the following
June and July. Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Digitata.—See “Callirhoe.”
Dimorphantus (Aralia Sinensis).—The Dimorphantus Mandschuricus
is one of the noblest of deciduous shrubs, the foliage being very large
and much divided. Any soil is suitable for its growth, and it may be
propagated by cuttings of ripe wood, taken at a joint and planted on a
shaded site. It produces its flowers at midsummer. Height, 4 ft. to 6
ft.
Dimorphotheca Ecklonis.—This plant is not perhaps quite hardy,
still it may be grown out of doors in a sheltered, sunny situation. It
grows well in sandy loam and leaf-mould, and requires a good deal of
moisture in the summer months, though from autumn till spring it should
be kept on the dry side. During winter it is safest to afford it
protection. It is generally raised from cuttings late in summer, which
are kept through the winter in small pots in the greenhouse.
Diphylleia Cymosa.—A very pretty bog plant which blooms from June
to August. Plant in rich, light soil, and give plenty of water. It is
propagated by division. Height, 9 in.
Diplacus Glutinosus (Hard-wooded Mimulus).—This elegant
greenhouse shrub is an evergreen which delights in a rich, sandy loam.
It flowers in June, and is increased by cuttings. Height, 3 ft.
Diplopappus.—Dwarf-growing evergreen shrubs of pretty habit. The
golden stems and leaves of D. Chrysophylla render that variety specially
attractive. A sandy loam is most suitable for their growth. They require
the warmest situation the garden affords, and to be protected during the
winter. Cuttings strike readily. They flower in August. Height, 2 ft.
Disbudding—The object of Disbudding is to prevent the growth of
branches which, from their position, would be useless to the tree, and
would consequently have to be cut away later on. The process is both
simple and expeditious. The trees are gone over once a week during the
spring, and the useless buds are rubbed off with the thumb, taking off
first those which are most unfavourably situated. The work should be
done gradually, so as not to give any check to the tree.
The term is also applied to the pinching out of flower-buds, such as
those of the Chrysanthemum, so as to give more room and strength to the
remaining blooms.
Disemma.—Splendid evergreen climbers, suitable either for the
greenhouse or in a sheltered position out of doors. Plant in rich, loamy
soil mixed with peat, and, if grown in the open, give protection to the
roots during the winter. They flower in July, and may be increased by
cuttings planted in sand under glass. Height, 20 ft. to 30 ft.
Dittany.—See “Cunila.”
Docks, to Kill.—Cut the weeds down to the ground, and run a skewer
dipped in vitriol through the roots.
Dodecatheon.—A hardy perennial, which is very ornamental when in
flower. It grows best in a loamy soil, and is easily increased by
dividing the roots. Blooms in May. Height, 1 ft.
Dog’s-Tooth Violets.—See “Violets.”
Dolichos Lablab.—Half-hardy annuals. The seed should be sown in
spring in pots placed in heat, and kept in the hothouse till May, when
the plants may be set out in a sheltered position, placing sticks for
them to run up, in the like manner to Beans. Flower in July. Height, 6
ft.
Dondia Epipactis.—A very pretty and extremely hardy little
perennial, suitable for either pot culture or rock-work. It thrives in
peat or leaf-mould, and likes a moist position. Strong clumps may be
divided in February, but it is rather shy at being moved. It flowers in
May. Height, 6 in.
Doronicum (Leopards Bane).—An ornamental hardy perennial. It
will grow in any garden soil, and may be propagated from seed sown
either in the autumn or spring, or by dividing the root. It produces its
flowers in May. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Draba.—Pretty dwarf Alpine plants which bloom during April and
May; very suitable for rock-work. They flourish in a compost of loam and
peat, and may be propagated by seed or division. Height, 1-1/2 in. to 3
in.
Dracaena Indivisa.—A stove evergreen shrub much valued for its
foliage and as a table plant. It requires a light, loamy soil and plenty
of light. Cuttings stuck in tan or peat and sand, and provided with
strong heat, will strike. It flowers in June. Height, 3 ft.
Dracocephalum (Dragon’s Head).—Ornamental plants, mostly bearing
lilac or blue flowers. Many of the half-hardy kinds are grown in pots,
so that they may the more readily be removed to the greenhouse in
winter. The perennials are propagated by dividing the roots. The annuals
are increased from seed sown in March or early in April. They like a
rich, light soil, and come into bloom in June and July. Height, 1 ft. to
2 ft.
Dracophyllum.—Greenhouse evergreen shrubs of an ornamental
character. The pots should be filled with an equal mixture of sand and
peat. They are propagated by planting the young shoots in sand, covering
them with a hand-glass, and plunging them in heat. They flower in June.
Height, 2 ft.
Dragon’s Head.—See “Dracocephalum.”
Dryas Octopetala (Mountain Avens).—A prostrate, creeping
perennial which bears white Anemone-like flowers from July to September.
It thrives in peat, and is increased by seeds, cuttings, or division.
Not being quite hardy, protection should be afforded during winter.
Height, 6 in.
Dutchman’s Pipe—See “Aristolochia.”
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