74 Commercial Gardening 



is now largely used for bedding out during the summer months, and 

 also for greenhouse decoration. It grows 1-2 ft. high, has oblong, pointed 

 leaves, and trusses of rich orange flowers in the type, but with shades 

 of white, yellow, crimson, pink, orange, &c., in the garden forms. Seeds 

 are sown chiefly under glass in spring. 



Nemophila. Popular and showy hardy annuals easily raised from 

 seeds, in which florists do a fairly good trade in spring. Plants raised 

 early in gentle heat, and pricked out into shallow boxes, also sell for bed- 

 ding in early summer. There are several kinds, such as insignis, 1J ft., 

 with blue, white, purple, rose, and striped varieties; Menziesi (or Atomaria), 

 4-8 in., white or pale blue, speckled black, with several varieties; macu- 

 lata, 6 in., white, with a violet-purple blotch on each corolla lobe; and 

 phacelioides, pale blue, with a white centre. 



Nepeta. The variegated form of the common British Ground Ivy 

 (N. Glechoma) is a very pretty trailing plant useful in the rock garden 

 or border, or for hanging baskets. It has roundish leaves beautifully 

 variegated with silvery white. It grows in almost any moist soil in 

 somewhat shaded positions, and is readily increased by cuttings and 

 division. N~. Mussini is a straggling plant now used largely in places 

 for carpeting the ground or as an edging. It is smothered with pale 

 purple or blue flowers in June and July. 



Nertera depressa (the BEAD PLANT or FRUITING DUCKWEED). A 

 remarkable New Zealand plant which forms dense tufts of small fleshy 



Fig. 227. Nertera depressa 



bright - green leaves, upon which numerous bright orange - red berries 

 (fig. 227) about half the size of peas are seated after the minute greenish 

 or pinkish flowers are fertilized. This plant is often sold as a curiosity 

 when in fruit, and is also used for carpet bedding. It flourishes in a 

 mixture of sandy loam and leaf mould, and likes plenty of moisture and 

 sunshine. It is best grown for sale in small pots in light and airy green- 

 houses, and is increased by division or from seeds. 



Nicotiana (TOBACCO). There are several species of Tobacco grown 



