x.] HOUSE SHRUBS PLANTS FOR WINDOW BOXES 113 



things best fitted for indoor use are those, the leaves of 

 which are glossy, and can therefore be sometimes washed 

 or sponged. The Aspidistra and India-rubber plants are 

 good illustrations ; Ivy and some of the Draccena, more 

 especially the young plants of Cordyline, and carefully- 

 grown specimens of the Hartstongue Fern, are excellent. 

 The Woodwardia Fern is a fine imposing plant in a 

 drawing-room. If its box is well placed on a pedestal, 

 the great palm-like fronds will have room to droop grace- 

 fully all around, only requiring an occasional removal out- 

 side for a thorough syringing. Similar positions and 

 treatment may be given to some of the hardier palms. 



For hanging baskets in window or greenhouse 

 there are few plants better fitted than Ivy-leaved 

 Geraniums. Cape Mesembryanthemums are also pretty 

 basket plants, and the attractive little Fuchsia 

 procumbens, which is much more like Maidenhair 

 Fern than a Fuchsia. 



As winter comes on and drives the summer tenants of 

 the window-boxes into warmer regions, it is not always 

 an easy matter to find eligible shrubby plants to take 

 their place, and it needs some forethought to provide them. 

 By far the best method is to make a selection of bright 

 hardy evergreens ; layer them, or get them in nurseries 

 while very small ; grow them very dwarf in small pots ; if 

 some can be had which bear red berries so much the better, 

 but varieties with well-marked variegated foliage are very 

 suitable such as the Striped Privet, Gold and Silver Box, 

 Aucuba Japonica, and the Elceagnus. Diminutive specimens 



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