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Earwigs, to Trap.—An inverted flower-pot, containing a little dry
moss or hay, placed on a stick, forms a good trap for these pests. They
will also congregate in any hollow stems of plants that may be laid
about. They may be destroyed by shaking them into boiling water.
Eccremocarpus (Calampelis).—These climbing half-hardy perennials
will grow in any garden soil, a light, loamy one being preferable. Sow
the seed in autumn on a slight hotbed, pot off, and winter in a
greenhouse. The plants will be ready to turn out on a warm south wall in
April or May. Cut them down in the autumn, and cover the roots with dry
leaves: they will shoot up again in the spring. The foliage is dark and
Clematis-like; the flowers are borne in clusters, are tube-shaped, and
bright orange-scarlet in colour. They are increased by cuttings.
Echeveria.—Choice greenhouse evergreen shrubs. They grow best in a
sandy loam, with a little peat, mixed with pulverised brick rubbish.
Water must be given cautiously. Young plants may be taken off the parent
in October and pressed firmly, but without bruising them, in light, rich
soil. Cuttings should be left for a few days to dry before planting.
They flower in autumn. In winter keep them in a cold frame, and as dry
as possible. Height, 1 ft. to 2 ft.
Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Cone Flower).—A stately hardy
perennial, very pretty when in flower, but hardly suitable for cutting
purposes. It likes a rich, light, loam soil and plenty of sunshine. The
roots may be divided in spring, after growth has fairly started. It
blooms during September and October. Height, 2-1/2 ft.
Echinops (Globe Thistle).—Coarse perennial plants, of stiff
growth. Any soil suits them, and they may be increased by dividing the
roots. They bloom in July. Height, 4 ft.
Echium Creticum.—A scarlet-flowering hardy annual which should be
grown wherever bees are kept. Sow in spring in any garden soil. Height,
1-1/2 ft.
Edelweiss.—See “Gnaphalium.”
Edraianthus Dalmaticus.—A charming little herbaceous perennial
which proves quite hardy in our climate, and well deserves a place in
the rockery. Plant in deep, rich loam, and cover the surface of the
crown with 1/2 in. of coarse sand. It may be propagated from off-sets,
taken with as much root as possible as soon as flowering ceases. Winter
the young plants in a cold frame, and do not give them too much water,
or they will rot. They will bloom in July and August. Height, 4 in.
Egg-Plant (Aubergine).—The fruit of the egg-plant is edible. The
seed is sown in March or April in pots of well-drained, light, rich
soil, and placed in a cucumber frame or on a hotbed with a temperature
of 75 degrees. When the plants are fairly up they are potted off
separately, and when they have started into growth the points are
pinched out, so as to induce a bushy habit. It is necessary to keep the
roots well supplied with water. When the fruit is set, the growth is
stopped at the first joint beyond it. They are mostly treated as
greenhouse pot-plants, but may be grown in the open if planted on a
south border, in ridges like those made for cucumbers, and covered with
hand-glasses till established. The Aubergine is a tender annual. Height,
2 ft.
Eggs of Insects, to Destroy.—Into 3 gallons of water stir 1/4 peck
of lime, 1/2 lb. of sulphur, and 1/2 lb. of tobacco. When settled,
syringe the trees and walls with the clear liquid. More water may be
added afterwards.
Eichhornia Crassipes Major.—A pretty and curious plant which may
be grown in bowls of water like the Chinese Lily. The stalks are
bladders about the size of a greengage, which enable the plant to float.
The flowers are soft lilac-rose in colour, and sparkle as if polished,
each one being about 2 in. in diameter. A little soil at the bottom of
the bowl is beneficial. It will flourish out of doors in summer.
Elder.—See “Sambucus.”
Eleagnus.—Effective variegated shrubs which prove perfectly hardy
in the south of England. They grow in any ordinary soil, and are
increased by cuttings. Height, 10 ft.
Elsholtzia Cristata.—Hardy annuals of great value where there are
bees, the flowers being very sweet. Sow in the open in spring. Height, 1
ft.
Empetrum.—Small hardy evergreen shrubs requiring an elevated and
exposed position, and a dry, barren soil. They flower in May, and are
propagated by layers. Height, 1 ft.
Endive.—Sow at intervals from May till the end of August, but the
principal sowing, to stand the winter, should be made the first week in
August, giving the plants the protection of a frame. When the early sown
ones are 2 in. high transplant them to a rich nursery bed. When 4 in.
high lift them carefully, with the soil round the roots, and place them
in drills about 3 in. deep and 1 ft. apart each way. Water well
immediately after planting, and keep the soil moist.
Epacris.—Pretty Heath-like shrubs. They like a sandy peat soil,
and plenty of moisture. The pots in which they grow should be provided
with ample drainage and stood in a larger-sized pot, with wet moss
between the two. As soon they have done blooming cut them back freely,
and when the fresh shoots are 2 or 3 in. long, pot them off, placing
them in a close, cool pit for three or four weeks. Gradually harden off,
then place them in a sunny situation out of doors, and remove them to
the conservatory in October. They only need sufficient heat to keep out
the frost. Cuttings of the young wood placed in sand with a little
bottom-heat will strike.
Epigaea Repens (Creeping Laurel).—This creeper is hardy and
evergreen, and its flowers possess a delicious fragrance. It may be
grown in loam and sandy peat or in leaf-mould with a little sand added,
in a well-sheltered and moist situation; and may be propagated by
layers, in the same manner as Carnations. It flowers in April. Height, 6
in.
Epilobium Angustifolium.—An ornamental herbaceous plant which may
be grown in any common soil from seed sown in autumn, or may be
increased by division of the roots. It puts forth its flowers in July.
Height, 4 ft.
Epimedium.—An elegant hardy perennial, suitable for shaded borders
or rock-work. The best soil for it is sandy peat. It flowers between
April and June, and is increased by dividing the root. Height, 1 ft.
Eragrostis Elegans (Love Grass).—One of the best of our hardy,
annual, ornamental grasses. Sown in March, it will reach perfection in
August or September. Height, 1 ft.
Eranthis Hyemalis.—See “Winter Aconite.”
Eremurus Robustus.—This hardy perennial bears tall, handsome
spikes of sweetly-scented, peach-coloured flowers in May. It will grow
in any ordinary soil, and is easily propagated by young plants from the
roots. Height, I ft.
Ericas (Heaths).—It is useless to attempt to grow these
beautiful shrubs unless proper soil is provided. The free-growing kinds
thrive best in good black peat and require large pots. The dwarf and
hard-wooded kinds must be provided with sandy peat, and the pots
thoroughly well drained. They need less water than the free-growing
kinds. They all want a good deal of air, and must not be crowded too
closely together. Protect from frost and damp. Cuttings off the tender
tops of the shoots planted in sand under glass will strike. The cuttings
of the stronger-growing kinds should be somewhat longer. As soon as
rooted, pot off singly, place in a close frame, and harden off by
degrees. The hardy sorts grow in a sandy peat, and may be increased by
layers or by cuttings. They bloom at various times. Height, 6 in. to 4
ft. (See “Heaths, Greenhouse.”)
Erigeron.—Very handsome hardy perennials, producing a copious
display of bloom. They will grow in any soil, and may be increased by
division or by seed sown between March and July, or in August or
September. They flower at the end of July. Height, 1 ft.
Erinus.—The hardy perennial kinds bloom in March, the greenhouse
varieties in May. The latter are very pretty. They all like a sandy
soil, and may be increased by seed or by division. Height, 6 in. to 9
in.
Eriogonum.—These pretty, hardy, herbaceous plants bloom in June.
They grow best in a compost of loam and peat, and are easily raised from
seed. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Eriostemon.—Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Grow in sandy peat with a
little loam added. Cuttings will strike in sand. They flower in May and
June. Height, 2 ft. to 3 ft.
Erodium.—An extensive genus of very beautiful plants, mostly
hardy. They will grow in any soil, and merely require ordinary
treatment. The bloom is produced in June or July. Height, 4 in. to 1 ft.
Eryngium.—A very ornamental and beautiful kind of Thistle. They
are mostly quite hardy, and will grow in any garden soil, though they
thrive best in a light, sandy one. The greenhouse and frame varieties
should be grown in pots, so that they can be easily housed in winter.
They are readily increased by seed or division, and produce their
flowers in July. Height, 1 ft. to 4 ft.
Erysimum.—Flowers of little merit. The herbaceous kinds thrive in
common soil, but do best in a mixture of loam and peat. They may be
increased by cuttings placed under glass. The annuals and biennials
merely need sowing in the open during autumn. They bloom in June and
July. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.
Erythrina Crista Galli (Coral Plant).—A showy, summer-blooming
greenhouse plant. Place it in turfy loam enriched with old manure. It
may be transferred to the garden in the summer, and when the wood is
ripe cut it back and keep it dry till spring. Cuttings taken at a joint,
with the leaves left on, may be struck in sand.
Erythronium Dens-Canis (Dog’s Tooth Violets).—See “Violets.”
Escallonia.—Handsome, half-hardy, evergreen shrubs, possessing
rich glaucous leaves and bunches of tubular flowers. A peat and sandy
loam soil suits them best. They may be planted against, and trained to,
a south wall, but need protection from frost. The laterals may be cut
back fairly close in March to encourage new growth. They may be
propagated by layering in the autumn, or by suckers taken in the spring.
Height, 3 ft.
Eschscholtzia.—Pretty hardy annuals, especially during August,
when they are in flower. Any rich soil suits them. Easily raised from
seed sown on a gentle hotbed in spring, and afterwards transplanted to
the border. They flower longest if sown in autumn, but the young plants
need protection through the winter. Height, 1 ft.
Eucalyptus Citriodora.—A useful window or greenhouse plant, with
small, oblong, bright green leaves, furnished with appendages that emit
an odour resembling the Lemon-scented Verbena. It is of easy
cultivation, growing freely from seed sown in slight heat. Height, 4 ft.
Eucalyptus Globulus.—A greenhouse everlasting tree, commonly known
as Blue Gum. It delights in a mixture of peat, loam, and sand. Cuttings,
which should not be too ripe, root in sand under glass. It may be grown
from seed sown, in a temperature of 65 degrees, from February to April.
It flowers in June.
Eucharidium.—Pretty little hardy annuals, nearly allied to the
Clarkia. The seed may be sown in autumn for early flowering, or in
spring for blooming in July. Height, 1 ft.
Eucomis Punctata.—A fine, autumn-blooming plant, bearing long
spikes of fragrant creamy-white flowers and curiously-spotted stems. It
may be grown in any rich soil. Height, 2 ft.
Eucryphia Pinnatifida.—A dwarf evergreen shrub with flowers
resembling a white St. John’s Wort. It grows best in a compost of loam
and peat, and is propagated by cuttings planted in sand, and subjected
to heat.
Eugenia Ugni.—An evergreen shrub which produces white flowers in
May, succeeded by round, edible berries. It should be grown in loam and
peat. Ripened cuttings may be struck in sand under glass. Height, 4 ft.
Eulalia Japonica.—A hardy perennial Giant Grass. It is very
handsome as single specimens on lawns, or used in groups on the margins
of shrubberies. The flower panicles in their first stage have erect
branches, but as the flowers open these curl over gracefully, resembling
a Prince of Wales feather. Height, 6 ft.
Euonymus Radicans Variegata.—A hardy evergreen shrub which, given
a sunny situation, will grow in any soil, though a rich, sandy one is
preferable. It may be increased by layers, by seed, by cuttings of ripe
wood taken early in autumn and planted in the shade, or by dividing
strong roots. May is its time to flower. Height, 6 ft. Other varieties
of the Euonymus, or Spindle Tree, are equally hardy, and easy to
propagate.
Eupatorium Odoratum.—A greenhouse shrub which bears sweet-scented
white flowers in August, continuing in bloom for a long while. It may be
planted out at the end of May, but must be lifted before the frost
comes. When flowering ceases, give less water and prune hard back. It
grows well in peat and loam, and is increased by seed or by cuttings of
the young shoots in spring in bottom-heat. Pinch back freely until the
end of July, leaving all growth after that period. Height, 2-1/2 ft.
Euphorbia.—An elegant class of plants. The stove and greenhouse
varieties are generally succulent, and require but little water, while
the hardy kinds need plenty of moisture. Any rich, light soil suits
them, but for the tender, succulent plants it should be mixed with brick
rubbish. Best grown from seed, though the roots may be divided. Height,
2 ft.
Eurya Latifolia Variegata.—A fine, variegated, large-leaved
evergreen, very suitable for covering a low wall, or for conservatory
decoration. It delights in a compost of loam and peat, and is propagated
by cuttings planted in a sandy soil on gentle heat. Height, 2 ft.
Eurybia.—Very pretty flowering shrubs for walls, borders, or
rockeries. They require a light, rich soil, and may be increased by
seeds sown early in spring on a gentle hotbed. Height, 2 ft.
Eutaxia Myrtifolia.—Pretty evergreen shrubs, suitable for the
greenhouse. They thrive best in a mixture of peat and loam, and require
the pots to be well drained. To have nice bushy plants they must be
pinched back well. Cuttings will strike in sand under glass. They flower
in August. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Eutoca.—Exceedingly pretty hardy annuals. Sow the seed in light
soil early in spring where it is to flower, and thin out so that the
plants have plenty of room. They bloom in July. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Evening Primrose.—See “Oenothera.”
Everlasting Peas.—See “Peas, Everlasting.”
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