Gardening for Amateurs 



617 





A remarkable Hydrangea in a garden in "Worcestershire. 



Hydrangea: an Ideal Plant for Amateurs 



HYDRANGEAS are equally suitable 

 for growing in pots and for shrub- 

 beries or flower borders ; they are 

 ideal plants for amateurs, easy to grow, 

 and bearing blooms that last a long 

 time. The kind most frequently seen 

 is Hydrangea Hortensia (or Hortensis) ; it 

 is grown as a decorative plant in a 5 : or 

 6-inch pot, or as a large specimen, for 

 placing in the flower garden during the 

 summer months. 



For whatever purpose Hydrangeas are 

 required a commencement is best made 

 during the summer July or August by 

 forming cuttings from the half-ripened 

 growths then procurable. These are cut 



off below a joint some 2 or 3 inches from 

 the top, the lowest leaves being removed, 

 and each cutting is inserted in a small pot 

 filled with very gritty or sandy soil. Water 

 them and stand in a small frame, which can 

 be kept closed and shaded until roots have 

 formed. If only a large frame containing 

 other plants is available hand-lights will be 

 necessary with which to cover the cuttings. 

 When it is apparent that the cuttings have 

 rooted give them a little air, gradually in- 

 creasing this until they will stand full ex- 

 posure. Water with care, and in a short 

 time the small pots wih 1 be well filled with 

 roots, and the plants ready for potting into 

 4|-inch pots. Add a little leaf-mould and 



