THE HOME FLORIST. 



DIGITALIS Fox GLOVE (Hardy Biennial). 



A well known hardy border plant, flowering in June and July, possessing considerable 

 beauty. The flowers in the different varieties are purple, white and spotted ; have a thimble- 

 like shape, and are produced in dense spikes. Are propagated by sowing the seed in the spring 

 or up to the middle of August, and flower the second year. 



DRACENA (Greenhouse Perennial, jj, 60, 95 ). 



Tropical plants of rare beauty, only suited to pot or Fernery culture in the window or con- 

 servatory, but may be introduced in summer decoration, in pots, vases and hanging baskets 

 with grand effect. The beauty of the plant consists in the leaves, which range in color from 

 various shades of green to bright crimson and pink, striped with dark green in the different 

 varieties, and are long, narrow and straight, somewhat resembling those of the Indian Corn 

 plant, except that they are shorter. Do best in soil consisting of one-third part leaf mould, 

 also containing some sand, and kept pretty moist. 



ECHEVERIA (Greenhouse Perennial, 35, 50, 90 ). 



A remarkable class of plants, with thick succulent leaves of grotesque appearance, suitable 

 for pot culture in the window or conservatory, and also for bedding. They are prized chiefly 

 for their odd, yet, in some varieties, delicate appearance, as few would consider them possessed 

 of any greater beauty than that found in plants of the Cactus family. They are of the easiest 

 culture, and while delighting in moisture generally, should be kept quite dry during winter. 



ERYSIMUM PEROFFSKIANUM (Hardy Annual). 



A free flowering little annual producing flowers of beautiful orange shade, which are esteemed 

 for their sweetness and suitability for cutting. Sow the seed where it is to flower. 



ESCHOLTZIA CALIFORNICA CALIFORNIAN POPPY (Hardy Annual). 

 The Escholtzia is a desirable garden annual easily grown from seed, and flowers almost con- 

 tinually from June until cold weather. The flowers are of a splendid rich, deep yellow color in 

 E. California, which cultivators generally consider the best, and possess a dazzling brilliancy 

 in the sunshine. Their dense growth should be supported by sticks, else a portion of the plant 

 will lie close to the ground, detrimental to their perfect flowering. Sow where they are to 

 flower and thin out to one foot. 



EUONYMUS (Greenhouse Perennial, 30, 43, 90). 



Very beautiful plants of shrubby nature, valuable for pot culture, Ferneries, winter hanging 

 baskets, and in fact for any in-door purpose, as they are of neat, vigorous habit, with lovely 

 variegated leaves of glossy Ivy-like texture, and are scarcely equaled for growing in the shade. 



The varieties are Aurea variegata and Radicans variegata, which are nearly alike, except in 

 their colors. The leaves of the former are a rich golden yellow color on green ; and in Radicans 

 variegata, a bright pea green, deeply margined with creamy white, both having a striking and 

 pretty appearance, not found in any similar plant. 



EUPATORIUM (Greenhouse Perennial, 33, 45, 75). 



This is a family of plants extensively grown by florists for the abundant crop of pure 

 white flowers they produce only in winter. The flowers are borne in dense clusters on 

 good stems. The plant is vigorous, of upright habit, and requires considerable pot room ; of 

 the easiest culture under any circumstances. As it propagates readily, it is best to start young 

 plants early each spring for flowers the following winter ; they should be grown in pots out of 

 doors in a place protected from wind, during summer. Cut down the plants after flowering, 

 which will induce a new growth to propagate from. 



There are three varieties generally cultivated, the flowers of which are white and nearly 

 alike in appearance. E. Arboreum is the earliest to flower, E. Salicifolius (very pure white) 

 next, and E. Elegans latest, the three varieties affording a succession of bloom during the 

 winter. 



EVERLASTING FLOWERS. See Acroclinium, Amobium Helichrysum, Helipterum, 

 Gomphrena, Rhodanthe, and Xeranthemum. 



FABIANA IMBRICATA (Greenhouse Perennial, 34, 50, 90). 



One of the prettiest little shrub-like pot plants that can be cultivated, being of dense pyra- 

 midal habit, fine foliage and profusely covered with white flowers in spring; excellent for 

 baskets in summer or winter. Any ordinary treatment and good soil will suit this plant. 



FARFUGIUM GRANDE (Greenhouse Perennial, 33, 50, 90). 



A singular looking plant of easy culture in the window or conservatory, the leaves of which 

 are its attractive feature. These are large, round, borne on long stems, are smooth, of a deep 

 green color, and blotched with distinct golden yellow spots, ranging from the size of a pin's 

 head to nearly an inch across and distributed with a striking irregularity over the surface. They 

 are increased by new shoots starting from the root, which should be potted. Suitable for plant- 

 ing in baskets, -vases, etc. 



