THE HOME FLORIST. 67 



forced quite readily in the window and conservatory, by taking up and potting clumps in the 

 fall, and after subjecting them to several severe freezes, bringing them into a heat of forty-five or 

 fifty degrees, in the night time, and giving an abundance of water. In our great cities much 

 attention is paid to forcing this plant in winter as the flowers are eagerly sought, at remunerative 

 prices, by lovers of choice flowers all during the winter months. The plants are perfectly hardy 

 and will succeed well in a shady place, in any garden soil, flowering in May and June. They 

 increase rapidly by their slender roots, which spread to a considerable distance. Altogether 

 may be considered one of the most desirable plants in cultivation. 



LOBELIA (Greenhouse and Hardy Perennials, 32, 45, 80 ). 



The Lobelias are universally admired, and the drooping varieties are used to an extent, 

 probably, second to no other plant in cultivation, for planting in hanging baskets and similar 

 arrangements for decoration. Their graceful, drooping and free blooming habit renders them 

 especially valuable for such purposes, as, under favorable circumstances, the flowers are pro- 

 duced by hundreds for a long time. They are equally desirable as pot plants, forming a dense 

 mass of drooping foliage and flowers over the edge of the pot, in a most pleasing manner. 

 Among our most suitable plants for window culture, as they flower almost constantly and 

 equally as well in shady places, as in the full sun, while their delight in an abundance of 

 moisture in the soil, is easily afforded them. When bedded out they fl- >wer during the entire 

 season, so profusely, as to render them very useful, for ribboning or massing, where low growing 

 plants are desired. This is especially the case in a wet season, or if the soil is frequently 

 watered. Propagate freely from cuttings. 



Z. Cardinalis (Cardinal Flower), a splendid, hardy native plant, of excellent upright habit; 

 producing spikes of brilliant scarlet flowers, of a dazzling hue ; excellent either for pot culture or 

 for bedding. Z. Erinus grandis, large blue; in every way excellent as a drooper for hanging 

 baskets, vases, etc., or for pot culture. L. Erinus Paxtonia, similar to the preceding, but is blue, 

 with a white eye. Z. Miss Murphy, a neat dwarf grower ; very beautiful, either as a pot plant 

 or for planting in beds and borders. It grows a dense globular tuft, six inches in diameter, and 

 can be trimmed to any desired shape. 



LUPINUS LUPINE (Hardy Annual). 



A genus of annuals for the garden that are rather showy, and flower until after hard frosts ; 

 in fact the beds will frequently appear at their best late in October and November, after the 

 larger proportion of summer flowers are past their usefulness. Blue, white and purple are the 

 principal colors, being distinct in some varieties and intermixed with yellow in others. The 

 seed should be sown early where they are to bloom. 



LYCHNIS (Hardy Perennial). 



A useful family of hardy garden and pot plants, of easy culture and free bloomers, which 

 are throughout, exceedingly showy of flowers. Some of the varieties are easily grown from seed, 

 flowering the first season if sown early; others propagate by division of the roots, and still 

 others with difficulty from cuttings. They delight in a light rich soil. 



Z. Chalcedonica, a tall kind, growing two feet in height, which produces in the variety most 

 generally cultivated, heads of intense light scarlet flowers, and in others white and flesh-colored 

 flowers respectively. May be propagated from seed or by dividing the roots early in the spring 

 of alternate years ; succeeds best if protected during winter. Z. Fimbriata, double pink 

 flowers on stalks a foot high ; veiy showy and desirable and perfectly hardy. Z. Flos Cuculi 

 Flore albo plena (Double White Lychnis), a valuable summer bloomer; in flower from the middle 

 of June until October; flowers pure white, somewhat resembling a Carnation; very highly 

 esteemed by cultivators. Should be protected by a covering of straw or leaves at the opening 

 of winter. Z. Flos Cuculi plena (Ragged Robin), well known hardy plants, flowering in May. 

 The flowers are crimson and double. Z. Fulgens is a hardy species with scarlet flowers; one 

 and one-half feet high. Z. Haageana, of dwarfish growth about one foot high, readily raised 

 from seed. The flowers are large, single and embrace white, rose, red and vermillion -colored 

 varieties. 



LYCOPODIUM SELAGINELLA (Greenhouse Perennial, 35, 55, 90). 



Delicate fine foliage plants of creeping and erect habits, that delight in warm, moist, parti- 

 ally shaded situations, being, with the Ferns, an unequaled class of plants for Fernery culture. 

 Properly treated they are a delight to every cultivator, no matter what may be the extent of his 

 or her collection. 



LYTHRUM SALICARIA (Hardy Herbaceous Perennial). 



A hardy garden plant, growing to the height of three feet and producing long attractive 

 spikes of rosy-red flowers through the season. Propagates by dividing the roots. 



MARIGOLD TAGETES (Half-Hardy Annual). 



Well known free flowering annuals, with single and double, also quilled varieties, of sulphur, 

 orange, brown and striped flowers. They are reared with the greatest ease from seed sown 

 either in heat or where they are to flower. Although there are some exceedingly rich and showy 

 varieties, which are attractive wherever employed, yet the plants will never be ranked among 



