CULTURE OF TUB HELIOTROPE FOR WINTER FLOWERINU. 



CULTURE OF THE HELIOTROPE FOR WINTER 

 FLOWERING. 



BY DANIEL BARKER, UTICA, NEW YORK. 



Although the Hcliotropium corvmbosum, and Pcruvianutn, with many beauti- 

 ful varieties of more reoent introduction, have been known, in collections, for years, 

 and arc by no means diflicult to nninage, yet, good flowerinjz; specimens are seldom 

 to be met with dnrinji: the winter months, when it is so desirable to have them in 

 flower, emitting their delightful fragrance all around. The suitability of the Hclio- 

 tropium for greenhouse decoration, during the flowerless and dreary months of 

 winter, does not appear to be so generally known as it should be. 



To grow them for this purpose, the cuttings should be rooted in March or April ; 

 afterwards potted into three-inch pots, and placed in a frame, with a gentle bottom 

 heat, and, in al)ont three weeks or a month later, shifted into larger pots, when, if 

 the season is sufficiently advanced, they may be ])lunged in a sheltered, warm 

 border, being careful to shift them, from time to time, as the pots become filled 

 with roots, until they are finally in ten or twelve-inch pots ; keep them plunged 

 until the weather becomes too precarious to leave them exposed longer, l:)y which 

 time they will have become fine, strong, bushy plants, well furnished with flower- 

 ing shoots, and should be taken up, the pots washed clean, and have a good top 

 dressing of rotten manure and leaf mould ; the plants tied nicely into shape and 

 removed into the greenhouse or conservatory, where they will continue in flower 

 the whole of the winter. When in their winter quarters, be careful they never 

 want for water, otherwise they will lose their leaves, and, although retaining their 

 flowers when denuded of their foliage, they become unsightly. Where circum- 

 stances admit, a good location for the stronger grown varieties is the back wall of 

 the greenhouse or conservatory, where it will soon cover a large space, and flower 

 freely throughout the winter months. For such a situation, the Intermedia, 

 Corymbosum, Peruvianum, Souvenir de Liege, and Triomphe de Liege, are well 

 adapted. 



We need scarcely add, that to form a correct knowledge of the full value of the 

 Heliotrope as a winter flowering plant, can only be by seeing well-grown speci- 

 mens loaded with their sweet and beautiful flowers in rich profusion, fresh and 

 lovely from the hand of nature. 



Those who may feel desirous to have this beautiful ])lant to flower during the 

 ensuing winter (it being now too late for cuttings to root and become sufficiently 

 established for that purpose), can do so by purchasing of any florist or nursery- 

 man, being careful to repot them and stoj) them back, placing them in some well- 

 sheltered situation, and treating them as formerly mentioned ; they will then amply 

 repay any care and attention which may have been bestowed on them. 



The following are well adapted for winter flowering in pots : — 



Beauty of the Boudoir. — Best of all Heliotropes. 



Marguerite Wilson. — A splendid variety, with large flowers like Triomphe de 

 Liege, with a dwarf, compact habit. 



Corymhosum. — An old, but beautiful kind. 



Lucien Tardiff. — One of the best for winter flowering. 



Reptans. — A most beautiful variety, with an incomparable perfume. 



Reptans Major. — Said to be superior to Reptans ; raised by Mr. Geo. C. 

 Thorburn, of Newark, N. J. 



Pendidum. — A new and beautiful variety, well adapted for vases, &c. 

 Aug. 1, 1856. 



