HARD-WOODED PLANTS 31 



Only peat and sand should be used in the potting, and, 

 until the plants have reached their limit in size of pot, 

 this should be done annually, for if the roots have 

 become much matted together from long neglect they 

 do not take kindly to new soil. 



Nerium Oleander. This is generally known to most 

 people by its latter name alone. It is a plant that many 

 try to grow, but it often fails from one or other of two 

 causes, viz., either from being allowed to become a 

 prey to insect pests, to which it is sadly prone, or to a 

 want of ripeness in the wood. The Nerium is essentially 

 a lover of the open air and sunshine. The former it 

 cannot always have, as it is not hardy, but it should 

 spend all the warm portion of the year outside, and have 

 a light position at all other times. It is also a plant 

 that likes to be well fed, enjoying a good rich loam, 

 with decayed manure and sand, and frequent waterings 

 with manure water. It need only be pruned when it 

 has grown out of bounds, and then it should be hard cut 

 back in spring. This will cause the loss of a season's 

 flowers, but will rejuvenate the plant. Water freely 

 during summer, but give very little during the winter 

 months. 



Leschenaultia. This genus deserves special mention as 

 containing, in L. biloba major, probably the best really 

 blue flowered greenhouse plant we have, and one of the 

 prettiest of plants when well grown. It is a delicate 

 rooted little plant and should not be put in the open 

 air at any time, but exposed to sunlight in the cool 

 greenhouse during autumn and winter. No loam should 

 be used in the potting soil which should consist entirely 

 of fibrous peat and sand. All the precautions mentioned 

 in the general hints for hard-wooded plants should be 

 observed in dealing with this, and it well deserves the 

 trouble entailed. 



Pimelia. One of the most free flowering of green- 



