THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 3 



the foliage of the large-leaved plants becomes torn and discoloured, 

 and few things look worse in a garden of a pretentious kind (as 

 this must be) than plants with bare stems or leaves hanging in 

 ribbons. Before naming a few of the best plants adapted for our 

 purpose, it must be added that most of the plants should be strong 

 when planted out, so as to produce an effect at once, without having 

 to wait until the end of the season, especially as many of them 

 make but slow progress out of doors. On the other hand, several 

 of the choice subjects named in the following list make better 

 growth out of doors than when kept in the stove throughout the 

 year. Subtropical gardening has this advantage — it enables the 

 possessor of noble-growing plants to enjoy their beauty in the most 

 natural manner, which, when they are in the roasting heat of the 

 stove, is impossible. 



In the undermentioned selection, we shall name only a few of the 

 best subtropical plants for general purposes, but where a selection 

 of hardy plants only is required, we must refer our readers to a paper 

 in last year's volume, which treats at some length upon that matter, 

 and forms part of the series of articles upon " Rough and Ready 

 Gardening." Of the fine foliage plants we have the elegant Acacia 

 lophantha, remarkable for its elegant plumy growth. This plant 

 should be raised from seed, and have one full year's growth before 

 being planted out. Agave Americana and its variegated varieties, 

 are grand for prominent positions. Alsophila australis is one of the 

 most beautiful tree ferns, and well adapted for shady corners. For 

 moist positions, such as the margins of lakes or pools, the following 

 grasses are admirably suited : — Arundinaria falcata, Arundo con- 

 spicua, Gynerium argenteum, and Andropogon giganteum. The first 

 three are hardy, and the last requires shelter through the winter. 



To the grasses may be added some grass-like plants such as 

 Bambusa aruiidinacea, B. Jumalaica, Cyperus alter nif alius, and 

 C. papyrus. These require stove shelter during winter. The Aralias 

 must on no account be passed over: A. papyrifera, A. reticulata, A. 

 Sieboldi, and A. Sieboldi variegata are decidedly the best. The last 

 two are quite hardy, which is a considerable enhancement of their 

 value. Aspidistra lurida variegata is a choice subject for a dry sandy 

 bank. In that position the variegation is developed more perfectly, 

 and the plants are hardy. The Bocconias are useful on account of 

 their free habit, but are rather coarse. The best are B. fndescens 

 and B. cordata rotundifolia A few Caladiums must not be missed, 

 for they produce a fine effect with their massive foliage when grown 

 in light rich soil with liberal supplies of water. The bulbs of these 

 must be kept dry and in warmth through the winter, or they will soon 

 decay. C. atrovirens, G. Borgei, G. esculentum, and C. odoralum are 

 distinct kinds of the highest value. 



The next subjects to engage our attention are the Cannas, and 

 they are certainly the most important family we have to deal with. 

 They have handsome foliage and flowers, and almost come within the 

 range of hardy plants, for most of the under-mentioned sorts have 

 done well without being taken up for several years past ; and probably 

 all the varieties grown would survive the winter in the open ground 



