APRIL, 



f 



LOWER GARDEN. 



Biennial and perennial plants of all kinds may now 

 be planted. In warm localities Verbenas should be 

 planted for early blooming, but in places much sub- 

 ject to frost it will be better to wait till Spring. 

 Box edgings should be planted without delay ; cut- 

 tings of the same may now be put in. Finish 

 clipping all hedges and edgings. 



Spring Floivers. The following are all exquisitely 

 beautiful, and if not in the possession of the cultivator 

 should be secured at once : Any of the species of 

 perennial Iberis, the flowers of which are snow-white, 

 are magnificent in large tufts on rock-work ; 

 Aubrietia purjnirea and grandiflora ; Alyssum saxatile 

 (popularly known as "gold dust"), showy yellow, 

 impatient of wet, quite hardy, elevated on rock- work, 

 and worth growing in pots; Arabis alpina ; and Italian 

 coltsfoot, useful to cover banks for the sake of its 

 perfume in August. Of double wallflowers we only 

 grow two varieties the tall double yellow and the 

 dwarf double yellow and we generally have a fine 

 display of bloom during the Spring. Hepaticas, 

 Primroses, Polyanthuses, and Violets must have a 

 place amongst the best of spring flowers ; in fact the 

 garden would be dreary without them. Lose no 

 time in securing and planting bulbs, if not already 

 done ; it is essential they should have a strong root 

 action, if they are expected to flower well. Pansies 

 should be protected against slugs. 



