252 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



After they are through flowering they make their growth, so keep 

 them dormant during Summer and then start them up again. 

 In late Fall the plants in the large pots don't need repotting; give 

 them a top dressing of well-rotted manure and soil thoroughly 

 mixed. 



AMMOBIUM 



Ammobiums, like most of the other everlastings, are grown in 

 great quantities by the European florists, and made use of during the 

 Winter months, usually in design work. Here we have enough other 

 flowers for such purposes; however, they should be classed among 

 the desirable varieties to grow on for those who have use for ever- 

 lastings. Their white flowers are produced in great masses and 

 the culture of the plants, which are annuals, doesn't differ from 

 that of Acroclinium. (See page 245.) 



AMPELOPSIS 



The Boston Ivy (Ampelopsis Veitchii) is a plant which the 

 florist should carry not only during the Spring months in a dormant 

 state, but all through the year in pots, so that a customer wishing 

 to plant some, around a newly-finished residence perhaps, can do 

 so at any time. Wherever there are stone, concrete or brick founda- 

 tions the Ampelopsis can be planted and is being used more and more 

 each year. It doesn't pay the florist to grow the plants on from 

 cuttings rooted during August from half-ripened wood or from seed 

 which takes two years to grow into a salable plant. Let your nur- 

 seryman supply you with nice dormant, 18- to 24-in. stock, about 

 March; pot it into 5s after cutting it back just a little removing the 

 tips is enough. Then give each plant a neat green stake. 



Carry the plants in a cool house and by the end of April they 

 are just as well off outdoors in a frame, where they can remain all 

 Summer, or until sold. Whether you or your customer plant them 

 out be sure they are cut back to within 6 in. of the ground, for it is 

 the new shoots that will cling to the wall, and the closer they start 

 from the ground the better. If you cut the plants when they are 

 potted up, you won't get as good looking plants, and you will have 

 to cut them back again at planting time. If you want a still smaller 

 and more graceful leaf than the ordinary Boston Ivy, plant Am- 

 pelopsis Lowii, or if you desire something heavier and of ranker 

 growth than the Boston Ivy use Ampelopsis Engelmanhii. Some- 

 thing still heavier but not quite as good for wall covering is the 

 Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia) . Pot some up of all four; 

 they won't take up much space and they sometimes come in very 

 handy. 



