Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-30
HOME HORTICULTURE.
r-cr Our Continent.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES.

FROM Our Continent.
In continuing the subject of ornamental
grasses We will first talk of Eulatia, a genus OF
very handsome grasses for garden OF house deco
ration sent from Japan by Thomas Hogg. esq.
in 1871 of which there are but two species under
cultivation. EuIdha .Japo7ica, which is yery
beautiful, is hardy, robust and perennial. FORM
ing when well established large ciumps with
firm but graceful leaves which are marked with
alternate stripes of creamy-white and green. re-
sembling the old 'ribbon or striped grass" OF
the garden and presenting quite as much va
Tety in the stripping. It is, however a much
taller and more erect grower and the leaves are
larger and more robust. The flower stalks grow
from four to six feet high. terminating
with gracefully curved panicies of light
brown flowers, resembling i'm form what
' Is known as the Prince of Wales Feather. This
plant is of easy cultivation. growing well in
almost any soil situation; like all other
plants, it will well repay all the care and atten-
ton that may be given it. The elegance of it's
plumes cannot be surpassed by any grass in cuI-
should be gathered before they are fully ex-
banded. tied In small loose punches and dried
In the shade. when they will retain their form
and beauty for years.
Eul1fid zebrind, a variety Of the above and
known as zebra grass" is similar In form,
habit and flower, but differing materially in the
manner Of its variegation- In the Older variety
the leaves according to the usual manner of
yaTieg,tiOn in grasses have the markings run
lengthwSe while in the zet1-lild variety they are
cross,riSe. The leaves present alternate bands
of green and yellOwish-white of varying width.
but with the cOlors well defined, and producing
q singular but beautiful effect. Like the fore
going this variety Is perfectly hardy and of the
easiest culture. 1t is withal one OF the most
ornamental plants for lawn or garden decOra-
tiOn.
AqrGSt.s netatlOsa is handsome annual grass.
producing stems from twelve TO fifteen inches
high with from five to ten whOrlS of long hair
like branches terminated by the flowers the
whole forming graceful airy and feathery pam
icle These pa2icies. cut before the seeds are
ripe aud dried in the shade, can be preserved a
long time and. either In their natural state or
dyed aSe much used by miliners and artificial
foWpr-!nakers. The seed of this grass should be
sOwn early. in a warm but rather moist situa-
tiOn to attain the most perfect success in its
cultivation.
B,-izF marina. or "quakinc grass, Is the NEST
useful ~ al, the quakln4 grasses, although all
the bt-,slS are very pretty. 1t Is an annual grass
growing from twenty to thirty inches high with
large calycine scales, which form close flat
rather long heart-Shaped pendant objects with
delicate flexible fOOt-stalks that allow them to
move with the slightest stir of wind. This grass
f. invaluable for winter bouquets and is much
used for trimming ladies straw hats. b. gyGciiis
another species. is similar to the above differing
only in being dwarted and more delicate i'm
habit The several species are well adapted for
the flower border as they grow freely and pro-
' daee their panicies in the greatest profusion.
Ara p,:'citPIlI (also known as Agrastes pull
eheFa). is a very elegant and graceful grass-an
| annual. growing from ten to twelve inches
high. producing numerous thread-like flower
stems. terminating with erect, delicate panicles
These being cut and dried in the shade can be
kept fol a long time. and. like the Agustes are
' used with artificial flowers.
IGIJD7ts OcdtIS. or 'hare'S-tail grass" is
charming dwarf growing species whose flower
' stems are terminated by upright, soft and vel
vety heads of flowers. which, being cut before
their complete maturity. are readily preserved
for winter bouquets They are also used with
graceful effect to ornament coiffures.
ETdGToSteS or :. love grass the several species
OF which are elegant plants. are of annual habit
| And are easily grown. They prefer a moist sit
uation- They resemble the B-iza family in
habit and dancing charm, and. like them, they
never fail 10 attract the notice of children They
are especially, adapted for pots and bouquets,
and are beautiful ornaments for the flower bOr-
der. The larger species cannot be surpassed for
elegance when in flower, though until the bloom
| shows it has somewhat coarse appearance.
The smaller species, EfGgrostes etegdntissinG, is
beautiful variety. Its panicles are erect, much
branched and spreading; it has numerous spike
lets of q rich purple color.
Stipr penrsotd. familiar garden plant. known
As Feather grass" has no equal among the
"a garden ornament or as dried grass A
writer has APPLY observed that ''this plant is
| among grasses what the Bird of Paradise is
' among birds" For grace, delicacy and fairy
like elegance there Is nothing in the vegetable
kingdom TO be compared with it. This grass is
perennial and is easily propagated in gardens
by dividing the root in spring, or the seed may
be sOWn in pots and transplanted when an inch
high. IL is strange so beautiful plant will
grow with so little care attention; in fact 1t
' seems to rejoice in neglect. 1t may be seen In
| Its integrity in dry grayelly banks. where one
would scarcely think anything could grow. 1t
VIII also maintain Its place and standing in the
| richest soil or the most favored Of situations.
Chloris radidtd is a very curious grass, well
worth cutivating. The flowers are produced in
| compound spike, which consists OF five or six
separate rays, remotely resembling long fingers.
This is tropical grass and must be protected
nom fTosts-a necessity that prevents Its gen.
erai cultivation.
It would be an easy matter to add fifty or
more species to this list; these are, however the
' more choice and desirable of the many We have
| cultivated and are such as are likely to make
lovers of grasses of all who grow them. These.
moreover, fairly represent the various classes
and forms and are sufficient for all purposes for
which ornamental grasses are grown and used.
few words more regarding the preservation
OF grasses for winter bouquets. IL is necessary,
first, to cut them when coming into flower: that
Is to say, when the pollen is first visible and be-
fore any seeds are formed. They can be dried
best by sticking the stems In boxes of sand so
that they will not crowd each other. Place the
boxes in dry airy and perfectly clean place.
wild grasses" now so highly esteemed, should,
OF course, be treated in the same manner.
F. A. BENSON.
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