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AND LAWN 



WINDOW GARDENING IN WINTER. 



WIN' DOW facing- the south, or some 

 i\^ intermediate point between an east 

 V\S or west aspect, as near due south 

 as possible and exposed fully to 

 the sun, is the best position to grow and 

 flower window plants in during the winter. 

 Partial success with some flowering plants 

 can be attained in a less favorable position, 

 and in one having a more northern aspect 

 than those mentioned, but the results as a 

 rule are not at all satisfactory. Light and 

 sunshine are elements that cannot be dis- 

 pensed with in plant culture, more especially 

 if the best flowermg properties of the plants 

 are to be brought out. In growing or sel- 

 ecting plants therefore, that are to occupy 

 the window in winter, care should be taken 

 to select only those that are best suited for 

 the position thev are to occupy. 



For a window ha\ing a north aspect it 

 would be useless to think oi' growing and 

 flowering successfully even the commonest 

 window plants, such as geraniums, oxalis, 

 callas, etc. Even bulbous rooted plants, 

 such as hyacinths, daft'odils. amaryllis and 

 many other winter and early spring flowering 

 plants are not a success in a window not 

 fully, or at least partially exposed to the 

 ravs of the sun in winter. Much can how- 



ever, be done toward brightening up even a 

 north window by using bright-colored and 

 graceful growing foliage plants. Amongst 

 the latter may be mentioned palms, drac- 

 enas, Cyperus alternifolia, Asparagus plum- 

 osus, aspidistra, Ficus elastica and the 

 variegated type of the cyperus, Cyperus 

 variegata. Begonia manicata aurea makes 

 an ideal window plant, and succeeds well 

 in almost any window, whether in a shaded 

 or sunny position, the beautifully blotched, 

 ivory white and green coloring of its leaves 

 giving it a decidedly bright and attractive 

 appearance amongst a collection of window 

 plants. The thick, fleshy nature of the 

 leaves of this begonia also serve to increase 

 its value as a window plant. The plain 

 leaved type of this begonia, B. manicata, is 

 also a fine window plant, but its foliage is 

 less robust and is more sensitive to a low 

 temperature, excessive moisture, etc., 

 than the variegated type, the latter being 

 the hardier of the two. Begonia sanguinea 

 is also a good begonia for a shaded position 

 in winter. The variegated anthericums and 

 agaves can also be used very eff"ectively in 

 brightening up a group of window plants in 

 a windov having a north aspect. 



The spotted Farfugium (Leopard plant), 



