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Gardening for Amateurs 



Scarlet Geranium. (See Pelargonium.) 



Schizanthus. (See Annuals for the Green- 

 house.) 



Smilax. (See Myrsiphyllum.) 



Solanum. The principal shrubby kind, 

 as distinct from the climbing members of this 

 family, is Solanum capsicastrum, of which 



Streptocarpus in full bloom. 



the bright-red cherry-like fruits form such 

 an attractive feature in the greenhouse 

 during winter. It is easily raised from 

 seeds or cuttings in spring, and the plants 

 may be grown outside in summer. Pots 

 5 to 6 inches in diameter are large enough. 

 Use compost of turfy soil with leaf-mould 

 and sand. (See also Climbing Plants for the 

 Greenhouse.) 



Sprekelia formosissima. This, known as 

 the Jacoboea Lily, is a very showy bulbous 

 plant related to Hippeastrum (Amaryllis). 

 It passes the winter in a dormant state, starts 

 into growth in spring, and about June sends 

 up a spike rather more than a foot in height. 

 The flowers, from 4 to 5 inches across, are of 

 deep crimson colour. It should be kept dry 

 in winter, repotted and watered in spring and 

 summer ; but when the leaves have died off, 

 no water is needed. It is also known as 

 Sprekelia glauca. 



Statice (Sea Lavender). A class of half- 

 shrubby plants, chiefly natives of the Canary 

 Islands, having large leaves, and spreading 

 clusters of blue flowers in summer. They 



should be kept under glass throughout the 

 year. Statices need to be firmly potted in 

 a mixture of loam, peat and sand, and to 

 be moderately watered all the year round. 

 They are reared from cuttings, which, how- 

 ever, take a long time to root. These are 

 inserted firmly into very sandy peat, and 

 -covered with a bell glass. If a little bottom 

 heat can be given them, so much the better. 

 If the flower sprays are cut just as the 

 blossoms open, and are dried by hanging in 

 an airy room, they will keep for months and 

 are available for winter decoration. Statice 

 brassicaefolia, Butcherii, Holfordii, and pro- 

 fusa are among the best. 



Stocks. (See Annuals for the Green- 

 house.) 



Streptocarpus. Pretty, free - flowering 

 plants, nearly related to Gloxinia, from which, 

 however, they differ in their smaller flowers 

 and the absence of a firm tuber. The flowers, 

 too, of Streptocarpus have a much narrower 

 tube. They are produced in great profu- 

 sion, so that as decorative plants they are of 

 considerable value. They are at their best 

 during the late spring and summer months. 

 In colour the flowers vary from white to deep 

 crimson and purple, some of the intermediate 

 tints being really charming. The cultural 

 requirements of Streptocarpus are the same 

 as those of Gloxinia, except that Strepto- 

 carpus does not form a firm tuber. The soil 

 must be kept slightly moist if it is desired 

 to keep the plants through the winter. 

 Usually they are raised from seed each year. 



Streptosolen Jamesonii. A South 

 American shrub that will succeed iinder con- 

 ditions similar to those needed by Helio- 

 trope. The flowers, which are profusely 

 borne in spring and summer, are of warm 

 reddish-orange tint. Although commonly 

 grown in bush form, it is, like the Heliotrope, 

 well adapted for training to the wall or 

 pillars of a greenhouse. The general cultural 

 requirements of the two are about the same. 



Swainsona. (See Climbing Plants for the 

 Greenhouse.) 



Tecoma. (See Climbing Plants for the 

 Greenhouse.) 



Torenia. (See Annuals for the Green- 

 house.) 



Tropaeolum. (See Climbing Plants for 

 the Greenhouse.) 



