MAY MORNS 



mould and a tenth of sand are the only additions May 

 necessary. ^"^5 



The regulation Zonal Geranium and Marguerite box 

 is not bad ; it is bright from the outset, and it tends to 

 improve with time ; but some may like to introduce less 

 common plants. The drooping white Campanula (Iso- 

 phylla Alba) looks very nice mixed with crimson and 

 yellow plumed Celosias. These are plants of the Cocks- 

 comb class, but have not the pompous and flunkeyfied 

 stiffness of the Cockscomb. Fuchsias associated with 

 white Asters look very nice, and rambling Tropoeolums 

 or Ivy-leaved Geraniums may be introduced to prevent 

 any suspicion of stiffness. 



Plants in Room Windows. — The feathery white Spiraea 

 (to modern botanists Astilbe) Japonica looks very well 

 in windows in spring. It is a very thirsty plant, and 

 must have abundance of water. One sometimes sees 

 what florists call show and fancy Pelargoniums in 

 windows. They are near relatives of the Zonal 

 Geranium, but the leaves are wholly green, and generally 

 somewhat incurved. The relationship can be seen in 

 the flowers, which are very richly marked, and are born 

 freely. Triomphe de St. Mand6, very large crimson, is 

 one of the best. H. J. Jones, rose, with white eye and 

 crimson blotch, is also good. The Bride, white with 

 marone upper petals, is one of the best of the lighter 

 varieties. If the plants are shaded during the hottest 

 part of the day, the flowers will last longer than if fully 

 exposed to the sun. Azaleas are often grown in windows, 

 and they also will be benefited by careful shading and 

 watering. They are brilliant plants, which can be 

 bought from nurserymen and bulb-dealers, well set with 

 flower buds. It is a good time to repot such foliage 

 plants as Aralia Sieboldii and the India-rubber Plant. 



20I 



