86o 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Abutilons are deciduous ; in autumn shorten 

 the growths considerably, and prune them 

 hard back early in the year. 



Asparagus plumosus. A well-known 

 climber, the light, elegant fern-like foliage 

 being in great demand for cutting. For 

 clothing pillars and walls Asparagus plumosus 

 is very useful. If the sprays are frequently 

 cut for decoration there will be little need 

 for thinning the growths, unless it is to 

 remove one or two of the older shoots that 

 may have been left. 



Begonia. A number of Begonias thrive 

 even better when planted out in a border 

 than in pots. To furnish back walls and 

 clothe pillars in the greenhouse they are 

 desarving of attention. They are evergreen, 

 and require no special pruning, but it will 

 be found necessary at least twice a year to 

 thin the shoots, as growth is rapid. A few 

 of the best kinds are President Carnot, 

 coccinea, fuchsioides, polyantha, echino- 

 sepala, and metallica. 



Oestrum (Habrothamnus). A useful 

 shrubby climber for back walls and pillars. 

 The shoots are cut hard back after flowering. 



Glianthus puniceus (Parrot's Bill). 

 An Australian climber with red flowers 

 and dainty pinnate foliage. Best on pillars 

 and rafters. Flowers during May. Prune 

 after flowering. 



Fuchsia. Shorten the growths in late 

 autumn when the leaves commence to fall, 

 and cut hard back in early spring. 



Heliotrope (Cherry Pie). As a climber 

 for pillars and the back wall this is often 

 grown in greenhouses. Cut back the shoots 

 after the flowers are over. 



Hibbertia dentata. A dainty evergreen 

 twiner of moderate growth with coppery- green 

 leaves which are red beneath. The flowers 

 are yellow and are produced more or less 

 throughout the year. One of the best 

 climbers for the amateur's greenhouse. The 

 only pruning needed is to thin the slender 

 twining shoots when they become crowded. 



Lantana salviaefolia. A splendid plant 

 for clothing bare walls and pillars. The 

 flowers are mauve-pink and appear during 

 the greater part of the year. Growth is 

 vigorous and it is necessary to thin the 

 shoots liberally in autumn and cut off 



others at any season of the year when 

 they become crowded. 



Lapageria rosea The Lapageria suc- 

 ceeds in a cool shady greenhouse, the long 

 slender growths being twined round pillars 

 or hanging from the rafters. It is ever- 

 green, and the only pruning needed is to- 

 thin out the shoots after flowering. 



Lasiandra (Pleroma macrantha). A 

 vigorous evergreen climber with large purple 

 flowers for large pillars, walls, or the end of a 

 greenhouse. It is almost always in flower. 

 Little pruning is required, but occasionally 

 it is essential to thin out the growths in 

 autumn. 



Lonicera sempervirens minor. This 

 favourite greenhouse Honeysuckle may be 

 trained to the rafters or pillars. Shorten 

 the growths in autumn and prune hard back 

 soon after Christmas. 



Mandevilla suaveolens. A leaf -losing 

 climber with deliciously fragrant white 

 flowers in summer and autumn. It is only 

 of moderately strong growth and the shoots 

 need nothing beyond thinning a little in 

 autumn. 



Passiflora (Passion Flower). Best 

 trained on wires fixed on the rafters a few 

 inches from the glass, the fresh shoots being 

 allowed to hang down. The Passion Flowers 

 are of rapid growth, and frequent thinning 

 is necessary, particularly in autumn. 



Plumbago capensis. This charming 

 blue climber flowers throughout summer and 

 autumn. Cut the shoots partly back in 

 autumn after flowering and prune hard in 

 spring. 



Pelargonium. Zonal and Ivy-leaved 

 " Geraniums " were formerly much used to 

 clothe the bare walls of cool greenhouses. 

 The plants are almost always in flower, and 

 provide an abundance of bloom. An occa- 

 sional thinning is desirable, the old and 

 worn-out shoots being first removed. 



Streptosolen Jamesoni. This plant has 

 orange-scarlet flowers in spring, and is best 

 on a pillar. Prune after flowering. 



Tacsonia. A free-growing climber with 

 pendulous flowers, requiring similar treat- 

 ment to the Passion Flower. Train to the 

 rafters of large conservatories and allow 

 the young growths to hang down. 



