206 GBEENHOUSE PLANTS. 



flowers are terminal and solitary, of medium size, pink out- 

 side and white within. It blooms from April to July. 



Agapanthus. 



The plants comprised in this genus of Liliacea are too 

 frequently neglected by cultivators, but they are of so orna- 

 mental a character, that did they require it, they would cer- 

 tainly deserve any amount of care ; the contrary, however, is 

 the case, as a very slight protection is all that is necessary 

 during the winter months, and in summer they grow freely 

 with very little care. These plants make beautiful speci- 

 mens, either grown in large pots, in vases, or in tubs, for 

 out-door decoration in the summer-time ; and they are also 

 highly ornamental in a smaller state for the decoration of the 

 conservatory. The species of Agapanthus are stout rooting 

 plants, and should be potted in rich loam, mixed with some 

 well-decomposed manure and river-sand. The pots should be 

 well drained, as the plants dehght in an abundance of water 

 during the growing season ; but in winter very little indeed 

 will be necessary, as they are partly deciduous, and may 

 be kept under the greenhouse stage, or in any rather dry 

 cool place, protected from frost. These plants associate well 

 with water, and have a beautiful effect when placed round 

 a fountain ; or they may even be grown as sub-aquatics, 

 where appropriate situations occur for adopting this mode of 

 treatment. 



A. umhellatus. — This fine old plant, well known in gardens 

 under the name of the Blue African Lily, is one of the most 

 ornamental plants that can be grown for late summer and 

 autumn blooming. The leaves are long and strap-shaped, 

 dark green. The flowers are rich deep blue, borne in many- 

 flowered umbels, and continue a long time in perfection. 

 Native of the Cape of Good Hope. 



