682 NEPETA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



NIEREMEERGIA. 



the country and in Scotland. Hydro- 

 phyllaceae. 



NEPETA (Cat Mini}. Herbaceous 

 perennials, of which N. macrantha has 

 rather showy purple flowers, but is too tall 

 and coarse for the border. N. Mussini is 

 an old plant, flourishing in ordinary 

 garden soil, and was once used for 

 edgings to borders, a purpose for which 

 its compact growth suits it well ; but 

 none of these plants are among the best 

 for choice borders. 



NEPHBODIUM. North American 

 ferns, some hardy, and very handsome, and 

 these thrive under the same conditions as 

 our native ferns. The chief sorts are 

 N. Goldieanum, N. intermedium, N. mar- 

 ginale, and N. noveberacense. Several 

 Japanese and Chinese species thrive 

 without protection in mild localities, but 

 they cannot be recommended for general 

 culture. N. fragrans is a sweet-scented 

 little form. It is somewhat delicate, but 

 thrives in a sheltered situation. 



NEUTER A (Fruiting Duckweed}. N. 

 depressa is a pretty creeping and minute 

 plant, thickly studded with tiny reddish- 

 orange berries, and with minute round 

 leaves which are suggestive of the Duck- 

 weed of our stagnant pools. It forms 

 densely matted tufts in the open air, best 

 perhaps on level spots in the rock-garden. 

 It is also often grown in pans, and out-of- 

 doors in some places may require pro- 

 tection in winter. N. depressa may be 

 propagated by dividing old plants into 

 small portions and placing them in small 

 pots in a gentle heat until they start into 

 growth, and then removing them to a 

 cooler atmosphere. Rubiaceae. New 

 Zealand. 



NICANDBA. N. physaloides is a 

 pretty Peruvian half-hardy annual, about 

 2 ft. high, of stout growth, bearing in 

 summer numerous showy blue and white 

 bell-like flowers, and thriving in an open 

 position in light soil. Seed should be 

 sown in heat in early spring or in the open 

 air about the end of March, and the 

 seedlings should be transplanted in May. 

 One plant is sufficient for a square yard. 

 Solanaceae. 



NICOTIANA (Tobacco}. Stout half- 

 hardy annuals of rapid growth, and good 

 subjects for grouping with other stately 

 plants. The varieties differ chiefly in the 

 stoutness and the height of their stems, and 

 in size of their leaves and flowers, these dif- 

 ferences depending largely on cultivation. 

 The best growth is got in rich ground 

 and sheltered positions. Seed must be 

 sown in February in a warm house or 

 frame. Prick off the plants as soon as 



they appear, and pot them in a genial heat 

 of, say, 60. Then about the end of May 

 fine plants will be ready for putting out 

 from 6 or 8 in. pots. They will start off at 

 once, and not cease growing until frost 

 comes. The most useful of all is N. 

 affinis, used largely in gardens large and 

 small, in distinct groups or with other 

 things. Some of the best effects are got 

 from this kind in association with 

 Heliotropes and tall plants. It is much 

 smaller in leafage and habit than 

 such kinds as N. macrophylla, and there- 

 fore more suitable for small gardens. 



N. colossea is a large-leaved kind which 

 has been grown in recent years, but it is 

 eclipsed by its variegated form which is 

 one of the most graceful plants for beds or 

 borders. 



N. wigandioides is well adapted for 

 subtropical bedding in positions where it 

 will be surrounded by dwarfer plants. 



NIEBEMBEBGIA. The only quite 

 hardy Nierembergia is N. rivularis (White 

 Cup), one of the handsomest of all. The 

 steins and foliage trail along the ground like 

 those of the New Holland Violet, while 

 barely pushed above the foliage are open 



Nierembergia rivularis. 



cup-like creamy-white flowers, usually 

 nearly 2 in. across. They continue during 

 the summer and autumn, and have a 

 pleasing effect in the distance, as they 

 suggest Snowdrops at first, and are quite 

 as pretty when closely viewed. To ensure 

 success with Nierembergias have heavy, 

 firm soil, a level surface, and sunny aspect. 

 The tender Nierembergias are N. frutes- 

 cens, a sub-shrubby plant of erect growth, 

 and N. filicaulis, or gracilis as it is called, 





