ORNAMENTAL ASPARAGUS. 



Fig, 1652.— Asparagus Sprenoeri. 



THE Ornamental Asparagus open up 

 a new line of ornamental plants for 

 house culture. Unlike many such 

 plants they do as well in the 

 ordinary window as when grown in a 

 greenhouse, making rapid growth, and 

 holding their attractive green color well. 

 They do not require a great deal of 

 sunshine, but thrive best where begonias 

 and primroses do well. For that reason 

 a north or west window can be utilized 

 which will be of little use to flowering 

 plants. Like ferns a damp atmosphere 

 suits them perfectly, but unlike ferns 

 they will do well without it. A daily 

 spraying with clear water will furnish 

 just the dampness they need. 



Asparagus plumosus nanus, also 

 called the climbing Lace Fern, is usually 

 considered the handsomest one among 

 them. The shape and form of the 

 leaves remind one of the fronds of the 

 finest fern, the texture delicate and lace- 

 like. It grows in the form of a vine, 

 and the branches often grow to great 



length, but should one prefer not to 

 have a vine it can be easily made to 

 grow in bush form by pinching out the 

 ends of the branches. This is really 

 the most ornamental way to grow the 

 plant, as it is then a perfect mound of 

 green, lace-like leaves, drooping on all 

 sides of the pot. The leaves arch 

 gracefully, and are from ten to fifteen 

 inches long, tapering from a width of 

 ten or twelve inches down to a point, 

 making one of the most beautiful plants 

 for table decoration that can be found. 

 The branches are fine for cutting, and 

 remain in perfect condition for weeks if 

 the water is changed frequently. I had 

 several cut sprays for mantel decoration 

 last season, and they remained in per- 

 fect condition in an ordinary room for 

 five weeks. Hardly a leaflet fell during 

 that time, and the color seemed as fresh 

 and bright as when picked. Charcoal 

 was kept in the water, which was re- 

 newed ev6ry second day, and this 

 probably helped to keep it sp well. 



A. Sprengeri is adapted for a basket 

 plant, being of drooping habit, and 

 though the foliage is also fine and a 

 vivid green it is entirely unlike that of 

 the other variety. The sprays grow to 

 a length of four or five feet, but if a 

 shorter growth is desired the ends can be 

 pinched back and the plant will then 

 grow bushy, often entirely hiding the 

 basket in which it grows. If one has 

 no place for a hanging basket, the plant 

 can be grown in a pot placed on a 

 bracket. This is often the better way, 

 as it can then stand in a saucer and be 

 sure to receive all the water it needs, 

 while a basket often suffers for want of 

 water. Both of these plants grow freely 

 all the year round, and cannot fail to 

 please everyone. — Park's Floral Guide. 



351 



