154 



Gardening for Amateurs 



purple ; H. caucasicus, white, tinged rose ; 

 and H. guttatus, clusters of white flowers. 



Hollyhock. The HoUyhock (Althaea 

 rosea) is one of the finest of hardy perennials, 

 and a great favourite with most garden 

 lovers. This is not at all surprising when 

 we consider that the plants are suitable for 

 cultivation in all gardens ; even in the small 

 suburban garden, one or two groups, consisting 

 of from three to six plants, are very effective, 

 owing to their stately growth and attractive 

 blossoms. By planting in a bed on the 

 lawn most beautiful effects can be obtained, 

 as the season of flowering is a long one, 

 extending from early summer to autumn, 

 while by raising seedlings in a cold frame in 



Christmas Roses. 



autumn or sowing seed in a heated green- 

 house during February and March the flower- 

 ing season may be prolonged until frosts 

 destroy their beauty. While the Hollyhock 

 is principally grown for garden decoration, 

 the shorter side growths produced by many 

 of the plants may be most effectively dis- 

 played in large vases for indoor decoration. 

 Increasing the Hollyhock. The propa- 

 gation of the Hollyhock presents no diffi- 

 culties ; named varieties, perpetuated by 

 cuttings, division, and buds, were the pride 

 of the old florists, but since the Hollyhock 

 disease (Puccinia malvacearum) wrought 

 such havoc amongst the plants, most growers 

 raise a fresh stock frequently from seeds. 

 Sow the seeds on a 

 border out of doors 

 from April to July, or 

 as soon as ripe, usually 

 about September, in a 

 cool greenhouse or 

 frame. From seeds 

 sown in a heated green- 

 house during February 

 or early March the 

 plants will flower from 

 August onwards until 

 checked by frost. When 

 a fair size the seedlings 

 growing outside must 

 be planted 6 inches 

 apart on a prepared 

 bed, and in October or 

 early November be 

 transferred to their 

 flowering positions. 

 This work may be car- 

 ried out during March, 

 but autumn is the 

 better time. Cuttings 

 may be inserted singly 

 in small pots filled with 

 sandy soil during sum- 

 mer and autumn. If 

 placed under a hand- 

 light or in a cold frame, 

 kept closed, and shaded 

 from sunlight, they will 

 soon root. Division of 

 the clumps, if carefully 

 carried out, may be suc- 

 cessfully accomplished in 



