The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1907-05-29
Decorative Plant Notes.

oAOAAO odo Ill DIOOlu DIT INOILucIH
florists establishment. Only three
species are described in the Cyc1ope-
dla Of American Horticulture, all red
and yellow, so that there is not much
chance for variation, yet seedlings in
cultivation, and seeing them growing
vary somewhat Gloriosa superba is
hardy, in the open ground, here and
probably can be grown in any part
of the state, and nothing is more sure
to attract attention than a well grown
specimen of this plant when in bloom.
AS it is evidently beginning to be
cultivated at the North, tubers will
be in demand. There is no reason
why they should not be supplied from
growers in Florida. Suppose that YOU
try it, it will cost very little to GET
start. The note in Florists EXCHANGE
is as follows:
Glor1osas are perhaps not uncom-
mon, but rather think it is an un-
common sight to observe them by the
hundreds on one place. I do not by
that mean to infer that all these were
mature plants, because they were not;
the greater number were seedlings in
flats. Nevertheless it is unusual to
see so many in any stage on one
place. Those referred to were grown
by Arthur Griffin at Sea Verge, R. l.,
and it was there I saw them the
other day. Before my attention was
drawn to the patches of seedlings I
observed several in flower, but one
lot especially took my eye and that
before I was told that it was the
choicest product of Mr.. Grih6n's
efforts at the hybridization of these
plants. The one referred to is in
color a brilliant red for two-t thirds Of
each segment of the perianth, with the
other third bright lemon color. The
flowers are unusually largeand num-
erous on each plant growing in the
pan.
Gloriosas do not present impossi-
bilities to any average grower in their
here in the pink of perfection it seem
ed that thew would be we'll worth the
attention of commercial growers, more
especially when it is known that their
flowers are admirably adapted for
choice and elaborate decorations,
G1oriosas from seed take two years
to flower and require in the interval
a period or rest, the same as mature
tubers do. There are few plants that
come SO rapidly into bloom after pot
ting as gloriosas, but it is important
when they are grown with some direct
object in view to have good strong
tubers, and have them all alike or as
nearly SO as possible in each pan.
From four to dozen may be planted
in one pan, according to the size of
the pan supported as the stems grow
up, by wires just stout enough to
hold the plant when tied thereto.
Stakes would be unsightly, especially
if the appearance of the plant is any
consideration. The stems being
weak and slim in no way detract
from the usefulness of the foliage in
decorative work; on the contrary I
think that in the hands of a skillful
manipulation the plants slimness
would prove more advantageous than
otherwise. Flowers on stiff stems
are numerous enough, and what is
very often wanted is something that
will make up effectively and grace
fully with as little artificial assistance
as possible. The flowers of g1oriosas
are also capable of being used in
decorative work when removed from
the plant; and when unique efforts
are desirable the flowers may be turn
ed upside down in the finished work
Japanese Judas Tree Screen, Cercis