remarkable geological history, have contributed to evoke that 

 great diversity of form which is exhibited by the species 

 of the larger genera. 



From the above it follows that the New Zealand flora 

 has abundance of novelties to offer for garden purposes, 

 while no few of the plants are strikingly different to those 

 familiar to gardeners in general. Unfortunately, many of the 

 species can tolerate but little frost ; still, so far as the 

 United States is concerned, the whole of the Pacific coast is 

 suitable for the open-air culture of many New Zealand plants, 

 as also any other area where the temperature does not fall 

 below 15 F., and where the rainfall is sufficient for everyday 

 gardening operations. Also, in those States where the winter- 

 cold is severe many species may be grown in pots which, 

 kept in a frost-proof greenhouse during the winter, can in the 

 summer be used for ornamental purposes in the open borders 

 or the rock-garden. The plants themselves differ greatly in 

 their frost-tolerating capacities. In this pamphlet those only 

 able to endure a degree or two are styled "half-hardy," 

 while those not damaged by 16 are considered " hardy/' 

 What intensity of cold is detrimental to the hardier of the 

 high mountain species is not yet fully known, but it is 

 evident that many of these should far exceed the 16 limit. 



All the species mentioned below can be raised from seed, 

 provided it is absolutely fresh. The seed should be sown in 

 porous soil in pots, pans, or boxes. Small seeds require to 

 be covered with hardly any soil. Some species e.g., Pitto- 

 sporum and Sophora germinate very slowly. 



Living plants can be readily shipped from New Zealand. 

 If small, they travel fairly well by parcels-post. Larger 

 consignments should be sent in Wardian cases, such to be 

 kept on deck. These cases need not be of elaborate con- 

 struction. Abundance of moist Sphagnum moss should be 

 tightly packed round the roots of the plants. 



With regard to the names of species it must be pointed 

 out that in a good many instances the name does not refer 

 to a group of comparatively invariable individuals, but that 

 several plants, quite distinct in appearance, may bear the 

 same name. For instance, the name Veronica pinguifolia is 



