HARD-WOODED PLANTS 



27 



taken as a whole, is more valuable than any other in the 

 greenhouse. The Indian or Chinese section is the one 

 to which the name of "greenhouse Azaleas" applies 

 most fully, but the Ghent and Mollis types, the little 

 A. amcena, which has proved so valuable for hybridising 

 purposes, and the double flowered A. balsamaflora all 

 have their special value, and must not be omitted. The 

 culture is similar to that laid down in chap. ii. for 

 general guidance, but the Azalea will stand some 

 artificial heat during the period of making growth ; the 

 Ghent, Mollis and Amoena varieties will bear consider- 

 able forcing, and provide a blaze of colour during the 

 late winter and spring months. During the warmer 

 parts of the year, the plants delight in being syringed 

 daily. The best time for potting is soon after flowering, 

 but many of these plants are allowed to go for years 

 without potting, and still keep in good health. With the 

 Indian section no pruning is necessary beyond the shorten- 

 ing of a strong growth which promises to destroy the bal- 

 ance of the plant and the removal of very weak shoots. 

 This should be done directly the plants have flowered, 

 and at the same time all old flowers and seed pods should 

 be picked off. Small plants may be put into the garden 

 frame during summer, and the larger ones may be stood 

 out for a few weeks during the early autumn, and 

 brought in again on the approach of frosty nights. 



Boronias. Though not showy as to their flowers, 

 Boronias are greatly appreciated in the greenhouse from 

 the exquisite perfume they emit during the flowering 

 period which lasts over several weeks, one plant being 

 sufficient to fill a large house with its fragrance. The 

 general treatment advised will be found satisfactory, 

 but to it must be added an extra caution with respect 

 to watering, as the plant is quite impatient of an excess, 

 and for this reason it should always be grown under 

 cover, so that heavy rains may not reach it. 



