PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 73 



The principal varieties are : 



Daphne odorata, the most valuable variety from its sea- 

 son of flowering, which is from December to March, accord- 

 ing to the degree of heat given; leaves oblong, lanceolate, 

 smooth ; flowers white or pinkish, in terminal heads, pro- 

 duced in great profusion. Introduced from China about 

 A. D.I 770. Propagated by cuttings with great ease. It is 

 one of the best parlor plants we know of, and may be 

 obtained at any green- house at a very trifling expense. 



D. odorata rubra is a superior, and by no means common 

 variety; buds, red; flowers, rosy red, with a 'powerful spicy 

 fragrance. It is a somewhat stronger grower than the last. 



There is also a variety with variegated foliage, which is 

 no less desirable, though rather scarce. 



Daphne hylrida is a pretty evergreen shrub, hardy in 

 England, but too tender to endure our winters without 

 protection ; flowers purple, produced in terminal heads and 

 in lateral bunches very freely, and possessing an agreeable 

 fragrance. It blooms at all seasons of the year, but espe- 

 cially from January to April. 



The soil should be four parts loam, two of leaf mould, 

 and one of sand. 

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