50 



THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



Having thus far disposed of the preparation of the boxes, we 

 will turn our attention to the most useful plants for rendering them 

 bright and cheerful all the year round. There is no lack of good 

 things suitable for the purpose, but I shall name a few only of the 

 most useful, and such as are within the reach of all classes. For 

 spring decoration a mixture of Arabis alpina, Alyssum saxatile, 

 Aubrieiia Campbelll, A. deltoidea grandijlora, Lberis sempervivens, Phloz 

 Nelsoni, Saponaria calabrica, and Wallflowers, of sorts, comprising 

 both double and single varieties ; but the latter are the most useful, 

 as they can be most readily raised from seed. The above-mentioned 

 subjects should be regularly intermixed, and a row of Alyssum saxa- 

 tile variegatum, Arabis lucida variegata, and the variegated Daisy, 

 Bellis perennis aucuboejolia, planted in front, separately or mixed. A 

 row of yellow Narcissus should then be planted at the back next a 

 row of red Hyacinths ; and in front, alternately with the variegated 

 plants, a row of Squills. The best of the sorts are, considering 

 their cheapness and effectiveness, Narcissus Lord Canning, Hyacinth 

 Amy, and Scilla prcecox. The pretty little Narcissus bulbocodium is 

 also line for front rows. The furniture of the boxes may consist 



Fie. 5. — The Deawing-eoom Box. 



entirely of bulbous plants, but it is much better to fill them with 

 other things, and then plant the bulbs amongst them. 



For summer decoration, boxes in shady positions should be filled 

 with hardy Ferns, and a few Fuchsias and Blue Lobelias intermixed. 

 Those occupying sunny aspects should be chiefly filled with varie- 

 gated and zonal Pelargoniums, and a few Lobelias, Fuchsias, Mig- 

 nonette, Candytufts, Gallardias, Centaureas, and Heliotropes. The 

 Pelargoniums, must, however, be planted the most extensively, as 

 they grow freely and flower very profusely under the most adverse 

 conditions, provided they have the advantage of an abundance of 

 sunshine. The other subjects must be introduced sparingly, because 

 many of them will present a shabby appearance by the middle of 

 the summer, if they suffer much from drought. 



All the variegated and zonal Pelargoniums are more or less valua- 

 ble for filling window- boxes ; but in selecting twenty of the older 

 sorts that can be purchased cheap, I should prefer, of the double- 

 flowering varieties, Charles Olym, Madame Michel Buckner, Marie Le- 

 moine, and Wilhelm Pjitzer. Single-flowering : Blue Bell, Gloire de 



