USEFUL GREENHOUSE PLANTS 305 



when trained to the roof of a greenhouse, their pendulous, gracefully 

 disposed blossoms being seen to great advantage under such conditions. 

 Ordinary potting compost with a little liquid manure as the pots get full 

 of roots is very suitable for the Fuchsia. 



Gerbera (Barberton Daisy}. Beautiful Marguerite-like flowers of 

 various colours. Need a cool greenhouse and soil composed of good 

 loam and well- decayed manure. 



Gloxinia. Given the same treatment and soil as the Achimenes 

 the Gloxinias will flower freely during the latter half of the summer, but 

 to induce the plants to bloom earlier than that they need more neat. 

 They are increased by seed sown in the spring, but as they require a 

 warm structure during the early stages the better way for the beginner 

 will be to obtain a few dormant tubers during the winter or early spring 

 before they start into growth. 



Grevillea. These are all very pretty flowering shrubs for the green- 

 house, but are not much grown. One species, however G. robusta is 

 very popular as a foliage plant, the leaves being divided and subdivided 

 in quite a Fern-like manner. Soil: loam and peat. 



Heath. See Erica. 



Heliotrope. This is known as Cherry Pie, from its fragrant blossoms. 

 It is a very popular plant, as easily grown as a Fuchsia, and valuable for 

 bedding out, or for growing as neat little bushes in the greenhouse, whilst 

 a wall in that structure may be clothed with it. Few plants are more 

 popular for that purpose. Soil : good loam and leaf-soil. 



Hibbertia. The best of the Hibbertias is H. dentata, with pretty 

 bronzy foliage, and bright golden blossoms a couple of inches across, 

 borne during the first three months of the year. It is a valuable climber. 

 Soil : loam, peat, and sand. 



Hippeastrum. A beautiful class of bulbous plants, more gene- 

 rally met with under the name of Amaryllis. They are characterised by 

 strap-shaped leaves and gorgeous Lily-like blossoms, borne on stout erect 

 stems. In the different varieties the colour of the flowers varies from 

 white to deep crimson, through numerous intermediate shades, while 

 in some they are striped and netted in a remarkable manner. They 

 flower during the spring months, after which repotting should be done 

 if required. A mixture of loam, leaf -mould, and sand will suit them well. 

 Throughout the early part of the summer they should be kept in the 

 warmest part of the greenhouse, and encouraged to grow freely by the 

 occasional use of stimulants. Towards the end of the summer expose 

 them to sun and air in order to ripen the bulbs. In autumn the leaves 

 die down, and when quite dormant water should be withheld. In winter 

 they may be safely kept in a minimum temperature of 45 degrees, pro- 

 vided the soil is quite dry. In February give a little water, and increase 

 it gradually as the plants grow. Propagation is effected by means of 

 seeds and offsets. These should be taken off carefully and put in 

 separate pots. Seedlings take about three years to attain flowering size. 

 When small they must not be dried off in the winter. 



Hydrangea. Though hardy in favoured districts the common 



U 



