PELARGONIUM. THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. PELARGONIUM. 613 



introduction of many beau- 

 tiful varieties, in colours 

 ranging from white to in- 

 tense scarlet, purple, and 

 violet. On account of the 

 brilliancy of their flowers, 

 these plants have some- 

 times been too freely used 

 in the flower garden, but 

 their use is now better 

 understood. Among the 

 Zonal varieties there are 

 many with variegated and 

 beautiful foliage, especially 

 in that section known as 

 Tricolors, and these, on 

 account of their not suc- 

 ceeding well in all soils, 

 are less grown out of doors 

 than they deserve. Where 

 they succeed, however, they 

 form very attractive beds, 

 when grown for the sake of 

 their foliage, the trusses 

 of bloom being removed 

 from time to time as 

 they appear. The varieties 

 known as " bronze zonals " 

 are also good outdoor 

 plants, the free exposure 

 intensifying their rich tints. 



ISlo plants are more easily 

 increased than these : cut- 

 tings may be inserted at 

 any time, and root freely 

 in sandy soil, in the open 

 air during summer and 

 autumn, and under glass 

 during winter and spring. 

 But the principal stock of 

 plants is got by cuttings 

 inserted in pots, pans, or 

 boxes in the open air during 

 the early autumn, and 

 such make the best plants. 

 During winter the protec- 

 tion of glass and the exclu- 

 sion of frost are essential. 



Zonal Pelargoniums from 

 seed may also be treated 

 as annuals, and will bloom 

 in less than ten months 

 from the time of sowing ; 

 but the seed should be 

 sown as soon as it is ripe, 

 say during August. Enough 

 seed can always be had by 

 retaining a few plants for 

 the purpose in front of a 

 greenhouse, in any light, 

 airy spot. If new varieties 

 are" sought, there should be 

 artificial fertilisation : but 



Passiflora Constance Elliot. 



