Gardening for Amateurs 



329 



soaking is given by completely immersing 

 the soil in a bucket or tub of water. In 

 fact, this is perhaps the more convenient 

 method of watering basket plants ; it en- 

 sures the soil and roots being thoroughly 

 moistened. 



THE BEST PLANTS TO GROW 



The following form a selection of the 

 most useful, popular, and easily grown 

 plants for hanging baskets in the greenhouse, 

 porch, window, and veranda : 



Abutilon. A useful greenhouse plant 

 known as the Indian Mallow. The flowers 

 are bell-shaped, drooping, of various colours, 

 and freely produced. It is almost always 

 in bloom, except when the plants are cut 

 back in spring to keep them shapely. 

 Abutilons thrive in ordinary soil ; they are 

 propagated by cuttings taken at any time 

 from February to August or by seeds sown 

 in spring. The baskets may be hung in 

 warm positions outdoors during the sum- 

 mer. Three useful named sorts are Boule 

 de Neige, white ; Golden Fleece, yellow ; 

 and Fire King, rich deep red. 



Achimenes. An ideal tuberous-rooted 

 plant for the greenhouse. It may be grown 

 in an ordinary greenhouse, but the best 

 results are obtained when a moist tempera- 

 ture of 50 to 60 is given. The tubers 

 should be started into growth in boxes of 

 light soil from February to April, the plants 

 being transferred to baskets when the 

 growths are 3 to 4 inches high. Suitable 

 soil consists of equal parts of fibrous loam, 

 peat, and flaky leaf-mould with some coarse 

 sand. Increase is best effected by division 

 of the tubers, but seedlings may be raised 

 if desired. There are numerous named 

 sorts, the following six being recommended : 

 alba maxima, pure white ; Ambrose Ver- 

 schaffelt, greyish white, striped centre ; 

 coccinea, scarlet ; grandiflora, purple ; longi- 

 flora major, large blue ; Lady Lyttelton, 

 orange scarlet. 



Agathaea coclestis. The popular name 

 of this Daisy-like flower is the Blue Mar- 

 guerite. It is a native of South Africa. 

 The flowers are sky-Mm-. with yellow centre. 

 It may be grown in ordinary soil, and is 

 increased by cuttings taken from March to 

 August. Though really a greenhouse peren- 



nial, it does quite well in baskets placed out 

 of doors in summer. The average height of 

 the plants is 12 to 15 inches. 



Allium Neapolitanum. A bulbous- 

 rooted plant with white flowers, belonging 

 to the Lily family. It thrives best in light, 

 sandy soil. The bulbs should be planted 

 in the baskets, as they do not transplant 

 readily. Plant in September or October. 

 The flowering season is spring. 



Asparagus. Several kinds of decorative 

 Asparagus, graceful plants with slender 

 stems and somewhat fern-like foliage, are 

 admirably adapted for hanging baskets. 

 Three of the most popular are A. plumosus, 

 A. plumosus nanus, and A. Sprengeri. The 

 usual methods of increase are by division of 

 the roots and seeds. They are popularly, 

 though erroneously, referred to as Asparagus 

 Fern. Suitable soil consists of fibrous loam, 

 peat, and leaf -mould, adding plenty of coarse 

 sand. 



Begonia. Numerous members of the 

 Begonia family are suitable for hanging 

 baskets. Without doubt the best of all for 

 a warm greenhouse is Gloire de Lorraine, 

 which produces an abundance of pink 

 blossoms in winter ; the plants are often so 

 full of bloom as to transform the basket 

 into a ball of flowers. A worthy companion 

 is the white variety, Turnford Hall. Those 

 of the Tuberous Begonia characterised by 

 a loose, straggling habit of growth and 

 pendant blooms are ideal plants for hang- 

 ing baskets. Large and perfectly formed 

 flowers, and a stiff, erect habit of growth 

 are the points sought after by the grower of 

 exhibition Begonias ; but for hanging bas- 

 kets varieties giving a profusion of smaller 

 flowers and having a somewhat drooping 

 habit are desirable. Generally, the semi- 

 double and double varieties are more suit- 

 able than the single-flowered kinds. Six 

 of the best sorts for the purpose are Fleur 

 de Chrysantheme, pink ; Carminia, carmine 

 red ; Worthiana, red, probably the parent 

 of some of the other sorts named ; Gladys, 

 crimson ; Alice Manning, yellow ; alba 

 plena fimbriata, white. These flower dur- 

 ing the summer and autumn. Some of the 

 Evergreen or Perpetual-flowering Begonias 

 are delightful in baskets. Knowsleyana 

 (with silvery blush flowers), Kewensis (white), 



