252 PLANTING THE ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS 



ground when danger of frost is past. They begin to flower 

 soon, and any single ones that appear may be removed. 

 Thin to about 4 or 6 inches. They prefer a dry, warm 

 situation, delighting in the hottest and sunniest weather. 



TORENIA, T. For a partially shaded situation, as with pansies, 

 these are attractive. T. Fournleri has porcelain-blue and 

 rich violet flowers. Of T. Bailloni the flowers are deep 

 yellow and maroon. There is also a white variety known as 

 White Wings. Height, 6 inches or more. Sow in March 

 in a hotbed, or window. They must have a temperature of 

 at least 60. Plant out when danger of frost is past. 



WHITLAVIA, H. Flowers bell-shaped, white and violet-blue, or 

 purple. Height, 1 foot or more. Should have light, sandy 

 soil to do best. Sow in the open ground when the soil is 

 right, and danger of frost is over. For early plants, start in 

 March in a temperature of about 60. 



PLANTS FOR TROPICAL EFFECTS, MASSING 

 (Or for the center or back of a group) 



The number of plants in this category which may 

 be readily grown from seed, is limited. Some of the 

 best kinds are included below. It will often be worth 

 while to supplement these with others, to be had at the 

 florists, such as caladiums, screw pines, Ficus elastica, 

 Musa Ensete, palms, crotons, and others. 



In the use of such plants, there are opportunities for 

 the exercise of the nicest taste. A gross feeder, as 

 the ricinus, in the midst of a bed of delicate annuals, 

 is like a lion among lambs; and a stately, royal- 

 looking plant among humbler kinds often makes the 

 latter look common, when if headed with a chief of 

 their own rank all would appear to the best advantage. 



AMARANTHUS, T. These have ornamental foliage and make 

 handsome plants for the center of beds. The seeds may 

 be sown in a warm hotbed temperature in March, and the 

 young plants set out about the first of June. Seed saved 



