112 HOUSE PLANTS 



During the winter, while stored, give them 

 only enough water to keep the wood from 

 shriveling. The leaves will drop off, but that 

 is only natural, so do not be alarmed. 



To get the plants in flower for Easter 

 start them early in January, as they need 

 about twelve or fourteen weeks to force 

 properly. 



This hydrangea is not perfectly hardy 

 outdoors unless given a warm covering, 

 the canes die back in the ground unless pro- 

 tected. The best way is to lay down the 

 canes on the ground and cover them with 

 several inches of soil. Do it before the 

 hard frosts come. 



THE JAPANESE SPIREA 



The best feathery white bloom in winter 

 is that of Astilhe Japonica. It is also one 

 of the easiest to force. There are quite a 

 number of improvements over the type. The 

 best of all is Gladstone. There has been 

 introduced recently a pink flowered variety, 

 Queen Alexandra, a very desirable form. 



The astilbe is a hardy plant, and it may 

 be forced repeatedly. The roots are bought 

 from the bulb merchants. They do not 



