260 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
Mexico in 1822. These now appear to be synonyms for one species 
which we call A. cwrulewm, and which is the only species widely grown 
in gardens. A. Wendlandi was introduced from Mexico only in 1885, 
AGERATUM CHRULEUM (sky-blue). Stem branched, 2 
feet high. Leaves oval, saw-toothed, stalked. Flowers lilac- 
blue, in small hemispherical heads, densely clustered; June and July. 
There are several varieties in cultivation, of which the best are :— 
Cupid, dwarf, rich blue; Queen, dwarf, silvery grey; Snowflake, 
white; Swanley Blue, dwarf, deep blue; Tapis Blanc, dwarf and 
compact, white. 
A. WENDLANDI (Wendland’s). Stems hairy, 5 or 6 inches high. 
Leaves heart-shaped. Flower-heads purplish blue. 
Though Agerutwms will succeed in any garden soil, 
to get the best results from them they should be grown ina 
rich light compost. They are propagated by cuttings and seeds. The 
seeds are sown in January in pans of sandy soil and germinated in heat, 
the seedlings being pricked into “thumbs” as soon as possible, and kept 
in heat for a time. When they are making good growth they should be 
gradually accustomed to lower temperatures, and potted on if intended 
for greenhouse flowering. If required for bedding, they should be kept 
in small pots until planted out in the latter half of June. They may 
also be sown in a warm sunny border in April or May. The varieties 
must be propagated by cuttings from the old plants that have been kept 
in the greenhouse through the winter. The new shoots should be taken 
about May from the ripened stems and struck in heat; then hardened 
off and planted out. The taller forms may be pegged down after the 
fashion adopted for Verbenas. 
Description of The upper part of a plant of Ageratum cerulewm. 
Pate126. Fig. 1 is an enlarged section of a flower-head; 2 is a 
separated floret enlarged; 3, a section through same; 4, the fruit, 
natural size and enlarged ; and 5, a seedling. 
Species. 
Cultivation. 
GOLDEN RODS 
Natural Order Composirm, Genus Solidago 
SoLIDAGo (Latin, solido, to consolidate or make whole; from its supposed 
healing virtues), A genus comprising about eighty species of perennial 
herbs, sometimes with shrubby base. The leaves are alternate, entire 
or toothed Flower-heads usually yellow, the outer series of florets 
