THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 79 
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND EVERLASTING 
FLOWERS, 
BY THOMAS TRUSSLER, 
Nurseryman, Edmonton, N. 
VERLASTING flowers and the inflorescence of the best 
of the ornamental grasses are so attractive when nicely 
arranged in vases, or made into rather tall bouquets, 
that in the smallest garden a plot of ground should be 
set apart for their cultivation. To grow both grasses 
and everlasting flowers is simple enough, and a very few words will 
suffice to explain the whole routine. The main points are to make 
a good selection, and to gather the flowers at the proper moment. 
When tastefully arranged and placed under a glass shade, they form 
an exceedingly pretty ornament for the sitting-room, or even the 
drawing-room, as long as may be desired, for with the protection 
from dust which the glass affords, they remain in excellent condition 
for an indefinite period. They are sometimes recommended for 
dinner-table decorations, but in my opinion they are not at all 
adapted for that purpose, and although I am extremely partial to 
them, I would not suggest that they be placed upon the dinner-table. 
The majority of the trade catalogues contain long lists of ever- 
lasting flowers, but I have found that at least one half of them may 
well be dispensed with. Acroclinium roseum, rose, A. album, white, 
Globe Amaranths, in the several shades of rose, purple, white and 
yellow, and Rhodanthe maculata and R. Manglesi, are all exceed- 
ingly good, but to have them in perfection they must be grown 
in pots. 
"The Globe Amaranths require to be raised in heat, and grown 
on in much the same manner as the Cockscombs. The others may 
be grown in cold frames, and on warm soils tolerably well out of 
doors ; but, speaking in a general way, pot culture is preferable. 
To raise the Rhodanthes sow the seed thinly in six-inch pots, and 
then thin down to about five plants in each, before they become 
weak from overcrowding. If it is intended to grow them in the 
open border, sow in small pots, and thin to three or four plants to 
each. In planting them in the border, turn out of the pots without 
disturbing the plants, or breaking the ball of soil. The Acroc- 
liniums do best when the seed is sown in six-inch pots, and the 
plants are thinned to three or four. Owing to the labour incidental 
to the cultivation of a stock of these in pots, those kinds that can 
be grown entirely in the open border should be chiefly relied upon 
for flowers for winter bouquets. 
Of the hardy kinds, Helichrysum bracteatum is perhaps the most 
useful, for it has a robust habit, and produces an immense quantity * 
of flowers of large size. There is a strong growing form, attaining 
a height of upwards of two feet, and known as Helichrysum brae- 
teatum monstrosum, and a dwarf form ranging between twelve 
and eighteen inches in height, known as Helichrysum bracteatwm 
March. 
