3 o6 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Hydrangea, with its huge heads of pink blossoms, is a good greenhouse 

 plant. By giving an occasional supply of a weak solution of alum water, 

 the flowers acquire a bluish tinge. The handsome H. paniculata grandi- 

 flora is much used for greenhouse decoration, although quite hardy. 

 This shrub produces huge pyramidal-shaped heads of creamy-white 

 flowers. The Hydrangeas strike root readily in the spring from cuttings 

 of the young shoots treated much in the same way as those of a 

 Fuchsia. The plants require copious supplies of water during the 

 growing season. 



Imantophyllum, Sturdy growing plants with long, dark green 

 strap-shaped leaves, and large heads of orange-red or terra-cotta coloured 

 blossoms/ borne in the spring. The foliage is ornamental at all seasons. 

 Seed frequently ripens, from which young plants are readily raised. /. 

 miniatum is the full name. There are several good forms of it. It is 

 surprising that more amateurs do not grow this plant, which is also known 

 by the name of Clivia miniata. Soil : good loam and sand. 



Impatiens. The best-known member of this extensive family is 

 the common Balsam (7. Balsamina), which is popular either for the 

 greenhouse or for bedding out. The seed should be sown in March, 

 and the seedlings potted off as soon as sufficiently large. Pots six inches 

 in diameter are a convenient size in which to flower the Balsam, which 

 needs a good light soil, such as equal parts of loam, and well-decayed 

 manure, with a little sand. Seed from good varieties is very necessary 

 in order to obtain superior Balsams. Besides the common Balsam 

 above referred to there are several other beautiful greenhouse kinds, 

 chief among them being Sultanii, rose ; Holstii, vermilion ; Herzogii, 

 orange-salmon ; and Oliverii, mauve. These will flower for months 

 together. 



India-rubber Plant. See Ficus. 



Indian Shot, See Canna. 



Isolepis gracilis. A pretty little grass-like plant, with dark green 

 leaves that droop around the pot and almost hide it. For edging of 

 groups and similar purposes it is very useful, and easily grown in or- 

 dinary soil. 



Ixia. A class of small bulbs, whose bright-coloured blossoms are 

 borne on tall wiry stems. They should be potted in August or early in 

 September, and from their slender nature half a dozen bulbs must be put 

 in a five-inch pot. May be treated as Freesias. 



Jasminum. The best greenhouse Jasmine is /. grandiflorum, a 

 larger and bolder plant than the common hardy Jasmine, which it 

 somewhat resembles. The white flowers, tinged with purple, are delici- 

 ously fragrant, and borne throughout the greater part of the year. /. 

 primulinum is a newer greenhouse species with large yellow flowers. 

 Soil : loam, peat, and sand. 



Kalanchce flammea. A succulent plant from Somaliland, with 

 oval-shaped leaves and large flattened heads of scarlet flowers. Indi- 

 vidually the blooms are not unlike those of a Bourardia. It flowers 

 during the summer, and although not many years have passed since Jirst 



