CHAPTER XIX 



ACHANIA, HIBISCUS, CYCLAMEN AND THE 

 JASMINES 



The Achania 



This well-known old plant is not seen in window 

 gardens as frequently as it ought to be. It is one 

 of those plants which no insect ever attacks if there is 

 any other plant for it to feed on. Because of this, and 

 of its ability to stand dry air, frequent and sudden 

 changes of temperature, dust, and a good deal of heat, 

 it is one of the best of all plants for the amateur 

 to take in hand at the outset of his career as a floricul- 

 turist. It has pleasing, dark-green foliage, shaped 

 very much like that of the Abutilon. Its flowers are 

 a rich scarlet, and when seen among the green of its 

 leaves, they give a most brilliant bit of color. They 

 are never borne in great profusion, but a well-grown 

 plant will seldom be without a few on each branch, 

 therefore it is much more satisfactory than many plants 

 which bloom by "fits and starts," and can never be 

 depended on for flowers. It requires ordinary soil, 

 about the same amount of water as the Geranium, 

 and a sunny location. It becomes quite a shrub 

 with age. 



The Chinese Hibiscus 



The Hibiscus seems to be a plant comparatively 

 little known, but its merits as a summer bloomer are 

 so great that it ought to be grown by all who are fond 

 of beautiful flowers, and a brilliant show of color. As 



