PLANTS SUITABLE AND UNSUITABLE 35 



tender amongst them we must make up our minds to provide 

 some temporary means of raising the temperature in severe 

 weather. Amongst the half-hardy plants that are suitable 

 under these conditions we may include some of the Heaths 

 and handsome South African Crassulas and Mesembryan- 

 themums, as well as Gladioli, Lachenalias, Crinums, and other 

 bulbs from the same regions, the Disas and some terrestrial 

 Orchids of Table Mountain ; Acacias, Boronias, Correas, and 

 other hard-wooded plants from Australia and New Zealand ; 

 strange Cacti and Mamillarias from the arid plains of the 

 southern United States ; Rhododendrons from the Himalayas, 

 verily a goodly company, with infinite variety from which to 

 choose. 



It may be added that the two classes of hardy plants and 

 half-hardy plants overlap each other, and that some things 

 reckoned tender will survive when hardier ones fail, but the 

 reason is probably found to be some accident of individual 

 constitution rather than in any question of temperature. 

 Many of the plants here mentioned require special treatment 

 and are not altogether easy to succeed with, e.g. t the hard- 

 wooded Australasians, which are, nevertheless, well worthy of 

 all the pains and care that can be bestowed upon them. 

 Others, again, like the Cape bulbs, present no difficulty of 

 culture when once their management is understood, as in the 

 case of Nerines, while succulent plants are the most long- 

 suffering of all green things, living and often even thriving 

 under positive neglect, yet rewarding, many of them, the most 

 moderate understanding of their wants with largest interest of 

 brilliant and sometimes gorgeous flower. 



It is very needful that the distinctions which I have tried 

 to make clear between plants suitable and unsuitable for the 

 unheated greenhouse should be carefully noted, for nothing 

 but disappointment can follow an attempt to make a simple 

 glass shelter do duty for a house capable of being heated up 



