CHAPTER X 

 Bedding, Vase and Window Box Plants 



Vases and Window Boxes. For indoor boxes for windows or 

 other places where there is not much light the following plants 

 will be found useful, as they are almost hardy, and, with ordinary 

 care, they will last a long time in a presentable condition: Rohdea 

 japonica and the variegated form will stand in the coldest places. 

 These plants, by the way, are perfectly hardy here, the foliage 

 being but slightly browned during the coldest weather. Aspidistra 

 lurida and A. I. variegata, together with the spotted-leaved species 

 called A . punctata, while not so hardy as the Rhodea, yet they will 

 stand a good deal of cold. Of course, the plants will have to be small, 

 in s- or 6-inch pots. Old plants broken up for this purpose and im- 

 mediately used are not to be depended upon, as the principal roots 

 are apt to get severed in the operation. Many of the New Zealand 

 Cordylines, with narrow, green leaves, can be utihzed for drafty 

 places; they will stand considerable frost without hurt if they have 

 been grown cool. Farfugium grande, a broad leaved composite with 

 yellow spots, is another well known plant which comes through zero 

 weather all right. Niphoholiis lingua corymbifera, a tough leaved 

 crested Fern, can be got up in quantity for use by division of the 

 stems which grow near the surface of the soil. Lastrcsa prolifica, a 

 dwarf dark, green leaved species; Lastrea opaca, Pteris serrulata, 

 and Adiantum Capillus-Veneris are all pretty hardy, as well as 

 ornamental species of Ferns good for the purpose. 



When vases have to be filled with only one kind of plant, hardly 

 anything will be found more appropriate than the Russelias. The 

 branches are erect in a young state, eventually becoming drooping. 

 If the plants are put in a light, rich soil, with abundance of water 

 during the growing period, they will be in bloom most of the time. 

 Only one-year-old plants should be used for large vases; that is, 

 plants in 6- or 7-inch pots, as when of that size they soon become 

 furnished with good sized branches. The old and well known 

 Russelia juncea is the best for the purpose, although R. sarmentosa 

 and R. Lemoinei are both good, giving a greater number of flowers, 



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