ATTRACTIVE FOLIAGE PLANTS 105 



readily from seeds, which are very similar to those of the 

 asparagus in our gardens. The seeds may be planted about 

 a quarter of an inch deep and one inch apart, and, after they 

 are well started, the seedlings may be transplanted into small 

 pots or directly into window-boxes. This plant is often 

 called the asparagus fern, but it is not 

 a fern at all, but a true asparagus and 

 is closely related to the common gar- 

 den vegetable. 



The plant called Asparagus spren- 

 geri is much less attractive than the 

 plumosus form. Its leaves are larger 

 and its general effect coarser. But it 

 gives an attractive mass of greenery 

 and is easy to grow. It may be raised 

 from seed, and is particularly desira- 

 ble for use in hanging baskets. 



Another plant which may be grown 

 from seed is the silk oak, often called 

 grevillea, and known technically as 

 Grevillea robust a. This is an ex- 

 tremely attractive foliage plant. The 

 seed should be sown in February or March, and the young 

 seedlings transplanted into small pots when they have attained 

 a height of about three inches. With the most ordinary care 

 the seedlings will grow rapidly and should be shifted into 

 larger pots as their increase of roots necessitates. By the 

 following autumn they will be of good size and form very 

 attractive foliage plants. 



A group of plants which during recent years have come to 

 be very largely grown as specimen plants for halls and living 



Seedling Asparagus Sprengeri. 



