65 



Vase and Basket Plants* 



When vases have to be filled with only one kind of plant, hardly 

 anything will be found more appropriate than the Russelias. The 

 branches are erect in a young state, eventually becoming drooping. If 

 the plants are put in a light, rich soil, with abundance of water 

 during the growing period, they will be in bloom most of the time. 

 Only one-year-old plants should be used for large vases; that is, 

 plants in 6 or 7-inch pots, as when of that size they soon become fur- 

 nished with good-sized branches. The old and well-known Russelia 

 juncea is the best for the purpose, although R. sarmentosa and R. Lemoinei 

 are both good, giving a greater number of flowers, which, however, are 

 smaller;than those of R. juncea. Among those plants needed for the center 

 of vases, Pandanus Veitchii and the numerous varieties of the grassy- 

 leaved species of Cordyline, such as C. australis and C. indivisa, are 

 among the best. Last year's seedlings of the Cordy lines, if they have 

 been liberally treated, will be large enough by the beginning of the sea- 

 son for all ordinary purposes. They stand the hot sun well. Pandanus 

 Veitchii colors well under full sunshine, but needs more water than the 

 Cordylines. P. Baptlstii, of which much was expected as an outdoor 

 Summer plant, is rather disappointing, as its foliage is too tender for 

 exposed places. Other good things for vases and baskets, in the shape 

 of flowering and trailing plants, are the three species of Torenia, two 

 purple and one yellow, besides the so-called white variety, and Mau- 

 randya Barclayana, all of which may be got under way from seed in a 

 short time; Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, Germany Ivy; all the 

 trailing Vincas and Abutilon vexillarium are indispensable. The varie- 

 gated ground Ivy will stand the sun well in exposed situations; it is 

 dwarf growing and comes in handy for planting around the edges of 

 vases and baskets, where its long hanging growths can be seen to 

 advantage. Stock of it, kept in boxes under the cover of sash, should 

 be cut up during the early Spring, and small pieces with roots attached 

 placed in sandy soil in boxes, and either returned to the frame or 

 brought into a cool house, to be started into growth previous to 

 potting. 



Saxifraga sarmentosa ("Aaron's Beard") is a very hardy species with 

 ornamental flowers and foliage. It thrives out-of-doors all the year 

 round in positions partly shaded from the sun. By the first of March 

 fair-sized plants may be put in 3-inch pots. It is suitable for baskets, 

 vases and boxes, which do not get much sun. There is a variegated 

 form with striking foliage. 



Senecio scandens ("German Ivy") — A few plants struck from cuttings 

 in the Fall will give growth for a large number of cuttings after the first 

 of the year. 



