Gardening for Amateurs 



477 



Flower Growing in Tubs 



THOSE who possess small gardens 

 are able, by the use of tubs and 

 large flower pots, to add consider- 

 ably to their beauty and attractiveness. 

 Suitable positions for them are generally 

 to be found in every garden, and the 

 matter must of necessity be left to in- 

 dividual taste, but the following may be 

 suggested. Along paths, at corners of the 

 lawn, at the top or bottom of a flight of 

 steps, on each side of entrances to dwelling 

 or green-houses or gateways, and in court- 

 yards. In beds on the lawn the tubs can 

 be plunged if it is thought desirable. The 

 tubs may, of course, vary in size from ordinary 

 lard buckets to paraffin casks sawn in two. 

 The latter should be burnt out previous to 

 use, and all tubs are improved in appearance 

 by being painted outside ; dark green is, 

 perhaps, the most suitable shade. Make 

 sufficient holes in the bottom to allow of free 

 drainage. The soil used must, to a certain 

 extent, depend on the plants selected, some 

 need the addition of old manure, while others 

 are better without. However, if a mixture 

 of loam, leaf-soil, and grit or sand is used, 

 the manure can always be added to those 

 plants that require it. Place several inches 

 of crocks in the bottom of each tub, and on 

 these the rougher portions of the compost, 

 then fill to within a few inches of the top 

 with the prepared soil, making it fairly firm. 

 Where seeds are to be sown a method not 

 to be recommended if it can be avoided 

 the surface soil must be brought to a " fine " 

 condition. 



Plants Suitable for Tub Gardening 

 are very numerous. Dealing first with tall- 

 growing and climbing plants, Sweet Peas 

 can be recommended. They may be either 

 sown in the tubs, or, preferably, raised in 

 pots in a frame and planted out. The addi- 

 tion of decayed manure to the soil is advis- 

 able in this case. Climbing Nasturtiums or 

 the Canary Creeper, trained up sticks, are 

 most effective, and suitable for sunny and 

 shady positions alike. Eccremocarpus scaber 

 and Ivy-leaved Geraniums should certainly 

 be grown, the latter particularly succeeding 



admirably. Climbing Convolvulus Ipomoea 

 rubro-coerulea Heavenly Blue gives a 

 rich colour, sky-blue, that is novel in this 

 kind of gardening. Other tall flowering 

 plants that might be used are Coreopsis, 

 Cosmea, Chimney Campanula (which flowers 

 the second year from seed), Godetia, Kochia 

 trichophylla, Larkspur, Lavatera, Poppies, 

 Scabious, and Salpiglossis. All these, ex- 

 cepting the Campanulas, are easily raised 

 and flower the same season. The Kochia 

 has very graceful foliage, which turns reddish 

 in the autumn. Various evergreens can be 

 grown permanently in tubs. Low plants 

 are required for placing round the edges, 

 and for this purpose practically any of the 

 hardy or half-hardy annuals may be selected. 

 Stocks, Asters, Candytuft, Phlox Drum- 

 mondii, Tom Thumb Nasturtiums, Mignon- 

 ette, to mention only a few, are all suitable. 

 To hang over the edges Ivy -leaved Geraniums. 

 Blue Lobelia, Verbena, and White Alyssum 

 are good. If tall plants are not desired, 

 almost any of the dwarf annuals may be 

 employed. A tub filled with Tuberous 

 Begonias is extremely attractive in a semi- 

 shady spot, and Fuchsias, single and double, 

 will thrive in a similar situation. Marguerites 

 and Geraniums suggest themselves, and 

 Snapdragons are not less useful. A showy 

 combination is formed with Double Mar- 

 guerite Mrs. Sander (one plant would 

 probably be sufficient, as they grow very 

 quickly), Paul Crampel Geranium, and 

 Blue Lobelia. Biennials such as Canterbury 

 Bells and Sweet Williams are attractive, 

 but it is necessary to grow other later-flower- 

 ing plants in pots to ta u .e their place as they 

 go out of bloom. 



Hydrangeas are admirable plants for tubs, 

 and they can be left undisturbed for some 

 years, providing an annual top-dressing of 

 fresh soil is given in spring. The pink and 

 blue forms of the common Hydrangea 

 hortensis are most useful. The blue African 

 Lily (Agapanthus umbellatus), too, thrives 

 well under this treatment. Both these 

 plants should be kept in a frost-proof green- 

 house during winter. Yuccas, Aloes and 



