VILLA GARDENINCt 201 



CHAPTER XI 



Miscellaneous Greenhouse Plants. — To describe minutely 

 the culture of every plant commonly grown in a greenhouse 

 would occupy much space, and at the same time involve a good 

 deal of useless repetition. In the preceding chapters I have en- 

 deavoured to treat somewhat fully most of the principal families 

 of both hard and soft-wooded plants, but outside these are a 

 vast number of beautiful i^lants, some of which are found — and 

 deservedly so — in all gardens, and these we could hardly pass 

 over without a brief notice. Apouogeton distachyon, a pretty 

 free-flowering aquatic, bearing Hawthorn-scented flowers, can be 

 grown in a pan of water in the greenhouse with the greatest per- 

 fection. Pot in loam and plunge the pot in the pan of water. 

 I have seen it grown in an earthenware pan such as is commonly 

 used in country places to hold milk. Keep the pan full of water 

 by adding more as it evaporates. 



Abutilons. — These have lately undergone considerable im- 

 provement, and the newer varieties are well worth looking after 

 for pot culture. Among the best older kinds is Boule de Neige, 

 the white flowers of which are valuable at all seasons. The 

 whole fiimily are easy to propagate and cultivate. Cuttings of the 

 young shoots will strike freely in spring and summer in bottom- 

 lieat. At the latter season a close frame or handlight will 

 suffice. The following are good varieties : — Canary Bird, Anna 

 Crozy, insigne, miniatum, elegantissimum, Vesuvius, delicatum, 

 and Yellow Prince. 



Erythrina Crista-Galli (Coral plant). — This is a veiy 

 showy and useful old plant for summer blooming. After- 

 wards when the wood is ripe it may be cut back and the roots 

 stored away under the stage out of the way, and kept 

 nearly but not quite dry till the growth comes away again in 

 spring. Soil — turfy loam enriched with old manure. May be 

 planted in a group on the lawn or in the sub-tropical garden in 

 summer. 



Kalosanthes. — A race of very showy plants bearing bright 

 scarlet flowers, for the most part on the ends of stiff", erect, 

 rather succulent shoots. Cuttings of the young shoots may be 

 inserted in sandy soil in spring and summer in gentle heat, or in 

 the summer they will succeed in the greenhouse or frame, but the 

 spring is the best time to propagate. Pot off when rooted, and 

 pinch back when necessary to form a base. After a bushy habit 



