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.