748 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Photo : y. C 



The Star Primula (Primula stellata). 



in 'colour from white to deep carmine crim- 

 son. The seeds of this should be sown in 

 spring, and the plants so obtained will flower 

 in autumn, winter and spring. When Prim- 

 ula obconica was first introduced, the leaves, 

 if they came in contact with the skin, often 

 set up a form of eczema in some individuals, 

 but the modern improved forms seem much 

 less liable to cause trouble in this respect. 

 Primula malacoides, a still newer kind, bears 

 numerous spikes, on which the small lilac - 

 coloured blossoms are disposed in profusion. 

 It has already become an established favour- 

 ite. There is also a white-flowered variety. 

 Beside these there are the golden- flowered 

 Primula kewensis, and its parents, namely 

 the small rich yellow Primula floribunda and 

 the sulphur-coloured P. verticillata ; all bloom 

 in early spring. The pretty little P. Forbesii 

 will produce its rose-lilac-coloured flowers 

 throughout spring and summer if successive 

 lots are sown. 



Rehmannia. Rehmannia angulata is a 

 herbaceous perennial from Western China, 

 and, though hardy in some districts, is of 



great value for greenhouse decoration 

 in all parts of the country. It forms 

 a strong tuft, from whence are pro- 

 duced flower stems which attain to a 

 height of 3 to 5 feet. These stems are 

 furnished throughout the greater part 

 of their length with large Foxglove- 

 like flowers of rosy-purple colour. 

 A form known as Pink Perfection is 

 very distinct and pleasing. A new 

 variety, R. kewensis, grows about 

 2 feet high, and the flowers are 

 buff-yellow, marked with crimson in 

 the centre. All the Rehmannias are 

 easily grown, for they are readily 

 raised from seed sown in the spring. 

 They should be repotted as becomes 

 necessary, and may be grown out-of- 

 doors during the summer ; in the 

 second season, if established in pots 

 from 6 to 8 inches in diameter, they 

 will flower from spring until summer 

 is well advanced. 



Rhodanthe. (See Annuals for the 

 Greenhouse.) 



Rhododendron. (See. Hard-wooded 

 Plants.) 



Showing how the double white Primula is 

 increased by layering. 



