294 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



the summer and pass the winter in a dormant state, when they must be 

 kept dry. The underground portion consists of small, elongated tubers, 

 which about March should be shaken away from the old soil, and re- 

 potted in a mixture of equal parts of loam and leaf -mould with a little 

 sand. Half a dozen tubers may be put in pots five inches in diameter, 

 and these are sufficiently large for the Achimenes. When larger masses 

 are desired deep pans may be used. They are also suitable for hanging 

 baskets. In a warm house Achimenes will flower by the end of spring, 

 but in a greenhouse they are at their best during the latter half of 

 the summer. The flowers of all consist of a narrow tube, and a widely 

 expanded mouth. The varieties are numerous with white, pink, mauve, 

 scarlet, and purple blossoms. 



African Lily. See Agapanthus. 



Agapanthus. Plants of bold growth with long, strap-shaped leaves, 

 from among which are pushed up during the summer heads of pretty 

 blue flowers, borne on stems three feet or four feet high. The commonest 

 is A. umbellatus, to which the white albus affords a pleasing change. 

 There is also a double-flowered kind (flore plena), while the miniature 

 form known as minor is worth growing for the sake of variety. The 

 Agapanthuses are useful for large pots or tubs for standing out of 

 doors on steps, terraces, or similar positions during the summer months, 

 and the flowers appear at that time. These tub specimens will keep 

 in health for years without repotting, indeed, they do much better when 

 the roots are closely confined. Agapanthuses are dormant during the 

 winter, when they can be successfully wintered under the stage of a green- 

 house, in a shed, coach-house, or similar position, providing they are 

 free from frost. Ordinary potting-soil is suitable. 



Agathsea ccelestis. A free-flowering shrubby plant about eighteen 

 inches high, that bears throughout the greater part of the year Daisy- 

 like flowers of a pleasing shade of light blue. Known as the Blue 

 Marguerite. Likes loam with a little peat and sand. 



Agave. The best known of the Agaves (a numerous class) is the 

 American Aloe (Agave americana), a plant of symmetrical growth, and 

 with huge fleshy leaves, furnished with large spines, disposed naturally 

 in the shape of an immense rosette. It is sometimes called the Century 

 Plant, from its reputed habit of never flowering until a hundred years 

 have elapsed. This is quite a mistake, as the most casual observer 

 knows. The leaves contain a strong fibre which is very valuable for 

 rope-making. There is a variegated variety in which the leaves are 

 striped with pale yellow. The American Aloe is just the thing for stand* 

 ing on steps, balconies, &c., as advised in the case of the Agapanthus. 

 Loam, sand, and some small pieces of old crushed bricks suit the Agave. 

 Aloysia citriodora. The lemon Verbena, or Sweet Verbena, as 

 this is often called, is popular, and no wonder, for its leaves are delight- 

 fully fragrant. In the milder districts of England it may be trained to 

 a wall outside, but in most parts it needs the protection of a greenhouse, 

 where, with the same treatment as a Fuchsia, it succeeds perfectly 

 Cuttings of the young shoots should be taken in the spring. The leaves 



