334 ALTERNANTHERA. THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



ALTHAEA. 



flowering in summer and autumn. The 

 flowers are large, orange-yellow, streaked 

 with red, and umbels of from 10 to 15 

 blooms terminating the stems. 



A. BRASILIENSIS. A distinct kind with 

 red and green flowers, and dwarfer than 

 the preceding. Known also as A. psitta- 

 cina. 



A. CHILENSIS. A quite hardy kind from 

 Chili, with many varieties that give a wide 

 range of colours from almost white to deep 

 orange and red. 



A. PELEGRINA. Not so tall or robust 

 as the last ; but the flowers are larger, 

 whitish, and beautifully streaked, and 



have been used in our gardens to an 

 extent far beyond their merits. The 

 varieties range in colour of foliage from 

 dull purple to bad yellow, and why 

 they are used in flower gardens is a 

 question. They have never had a 

 place in mine. 



ALTH2EA (Hollyhock). Biennial or 

 perennial plants of the Mallow family, 

 consisting chiefly of coarse-growing 

 plants. Some, such as A. rosea, from 

 which the Hollyhock has sprung, are 

 showy garden flowers. The other wild 



Alstromeria (Peruvian Lily). 



veined with purple. There are several 

 varieties, including a white one (A. p. 

 alba], which requires protection. When 

 well grown it is a fine pot plant, compact, 

 and crowned with almost pure white 

 flowers. It is called the Lily of the Incas. 

 A. peregrina is synonymous. 



Other good kinds are the hardy variable- 

 coloured A. versicolor (A. pemviana) and 

 St Martin's flower (A. pulchra) ; this, 

 however, requiring protection. 



ALTERNANTHERA (Joy-Weed). 

 Little Brazilian weeds of the Amaran- 

 thus order, which, owing to their colour, 



species are generally characterised by 

 great vigour, and hence are not very 

 suitable for the choice flower garden. 

 They thrive in almost any situation or 



soil. 



A. ROSEA (Hollyhock). One of the best 

 hardy plants, valuable for bold and 

 stately effects among or near flower-beds. 

 Cottage bee-keepers would do well to grow 

 a few Hollyhocks, for bees are fond of their 

 flowers. They demand deep cultivation, 

 much manure, frequent waterings in dry 

 weather, with occasional soakings of liquid 

 manure, to secure fine spikes and 

 flowers. They require good garden soil, 



