270 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



ASTILBE DAVIDII 



While we have often tried to use forced clumps of Astilbe ja- 

 ponica for planting out, and also clumps which had not been forced, 

 we never had much success with either. They would do for a year 

 or two, and then go back. On the other hand, Astilbe Davidii makes 

 a fine plant, with spikes of pinkish flowers, for late June flowering, 

 and there are several hybrids, among them A. Mcerheimii, which 

 grow 6 ft. in height. 



These Astilbes can stand quite a little shade, but must have 

 well-drained soil and plenty of water. Astilbe Arendsii has three or 

 four beautiful pink varieties, all of which are splendid for the hardy 

 border. You should recommend them to your customers. 



AUBRIETIA DELTOIDEA GR^CA (ROCK CRESS) 

 To meet the demand for plants suitable for rockeries and for 

 planting in the crevices of stone walls you should recommend the 

 Rock Cress (Aubrietia deltoidea), the gr&ca variety of which has rather 

 large blue flowers in early Spring. These Aubrietias form a dense, 

 moss-like growth and cover things up in a short time, and for or- 

 dinary purposes answer better than almost anything else. With an 

 ever-increasing demand for rock gardens and the use of stones and 

 boulders in the construction of dry laid walls or to form the sides 

 of terraces or the background of a pool or water garden, the florist 

 will be called upon to supply some of the plants used in connection 

 with them to partly cover or soften things up. It won't hurt his 

 prospects at all to become acquainted with at least a few of the 

 many sorts suitable for that purpose. 



When you once have a stock of Aubrietias, you can easily propa- 

 gate them by division of the old plants. Pot them up into 3-in. 

 pots in a sandy soil and place them in a coldframe around the early 

 part of August. They can remain there all Winter or until you 

 want to use them. 



AUCUBA JAPONICA AUREA 



These splendid plants are of such value for decorating, for the 

 filling of window boxes, and as single specimens that they deserve 

 more attention from the florist. 



Frequently an order calls for window boxes, especially for loca- 

 tions on public buildings, banks or hotels, to be filled with foliage 

 plants and English Ivies, and it is here that Aucubas can be used, 

 no matter what the exposure. The same applies when they are used 

 for decorative purposes; they go well in connection with palms and 

 can stand abuse better than almost any other plant you carry in 

 the greenhouse. Even freezing weather which would kill an As- 

 pidistra won't affect them. Therefore, they are subjects the retail 

 grower needs and should carry a stock of, especially now, when there 

 is anything but an oversupply of decorative stock from Europe. 



