Gardening in California 



CHAPTER XIV. 



HERBACEOUS AND BEDDING PLANTS. 



ACANTHUS. 



THE Acanthus is a group of stately ornamental plants of 

 vigorous growth and handsome foliage. To grow well, 

 they require rich, deep soil well-fertilized with old manure, 

 and plenty of water during the Summer months. They show their 

 character best when grown in single tufts, at the bend of a walk, 

 on a bed of turf and in a sheltered, half-shaded situation. Acan- 

 thus mollis latifolius, Acanthus nigra, Acanthus spinosus and sev- 

 eral other species are all very desirable for giving tropical effects 

 in Summer or Winter. 



Propagate by dividing the roots or by seeds sown in Spring, 

 under glass in gentle heat, covering the seeds to the depth of an 

 eighth of an inch. Pot the young seedlings singly when they are 

 an inch or two high, and plant them out of doors when they are 

 three or four inches high. 



ACROCLINIUM. 



A small genus of hardy annuals, bearing everlasting flowers 

 of many shades of rose and white. They are very easily grown in 

 any garden soil. 



Sow the seeds out of doors in April, in patches where they are 

 to bloom, covering the seeds to the depth of about one-eighth of 

 an inch; when the young seedlings are two or three inches high, 

 thin them to six inches apart and mulch the surface with one-half 

 inch of old well-decomposed manure, giving water when 

 necessary. 



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