WINDOW GARDENING. 



107 



red foliage, and seems to be used more often than any other as a single plant. 

 The Begonias and Gesnerias have rich velvety leaves. For curiosity you may 

 want a Cactus, or a horseshoe Geranium ; for scent, the Lemon or Rose Gera- 

 nium, or the well known scented Verbena, or the Musk plant. The little Cigar 

 plant (Cuphea), is not very showy, but is esteemed for its constant blooming 

 qualities. 



Many use the Coleus and Achyranthes, when young, and possessing rich, deli- 

 cate shades, they contrast well with their crimson or purple against the green of 

 other plants, producing a good effect ; but they soon grow too tall and look out of 

 place. They can, however, be kept pinched back. This combination of color, 

 either by contrast or harmony, is an excellent idea, and will not only give 

 each plant an opportunity to display its peculiar habit of growth, but a novelty 

 of color, likely to be appreciated by everyone. 



Cissus discolor, leaves silvery white, shaded with purple. 



Ficus repens. 



Isolepis junciodes, ornamental grass. 



Panicum variegatum, variegated grass, leaves green, striped with white and 

 rose color. 



Poa trivialis argenta, a new dwarf grass, variegated. 



Tradescantia zebrina and virides. 



Vinca elegantissima, variegata. 



Selaginella variegata. 



The Ivy Leaved Geraniums are very desirable, and L'Elegante with its light 

 green leaves margined with white and pink, and its snowy white flowers, would 

 be a gem for any window. This class of Geraniums are all of a low spreading 

 or trailing habit, hanging down and flowering freely. 



Myoporum parvifolium, a very neat trailer, bearing small white flowers in 

 autumn, winter, or spring. 



Monochaetum, is a beautiful winter flowering plant, but will require tying 

 down at first, and then will trail nicely over the basket. 



Ferns. These form plants of permanent growth and habit, very suitable for 

 hanging baskets. The soil needed for them to grow in, is equal parts of peat, 

 loam, and sand, with some broken crockery mixed with it. One of the finest 

 ferns for the basket is the Polypodium vulgare, or common Polypody. This 

 may be grown, if desired, in nearly all moss, with the addition of only a very 

 slight portion of soil. 



The Asplenium flaccidum, is esteemed one of the handsomest, having a beau- 

 tiful drooping habit, and yet producing little young ferns all over the old fronds. 

 Place this in the centre of the basket, and display it so that its branches will 

 show over the sides, with their bright lively green, and they will look extremely 

 beautiful, fully justifying this as one of the best in cultivation. 



Pteris serrulata, and P. rotundifolia, are easily grown, have a good habit, 

 and pro^e to be very good Ferns for the basket. 



