A YEAR'S GARDENING 



ARMERIA {Thrift, Sea-Pink). This is a hardy perennial which 

 well deserves cultivation, and its pretty, grass-like cushions, covered 

 with charming little flowers of pink, lilac or white, are admirable for 

 the Spring Garden, or for banks, or as an edging to borders. There 

 are several varieties to be had, among which the Laucheana, with 

 flowers of bright pink, and the Crimson Gem may be recommended. 

 Propagation is usually made by division of the plants in autumn, 

 but they can be raised from seed. The miniature Alpine species, 

 A. sefacea, and A. juncea, are very beautiful and should be included 

 in the Alpine or Rock Garden. 



ARTEMISIA {Wormwood). A half-hardy annual, with a grace- 

 ful growth of fresh green foliage and pretty little yellow flowers. 

 May be raised from seed sown in gentle heat. 



ARUM LILY [Lily of the Nile). See Richardia. 



ASPARAGUS. This is a greenhouse perennial very useful as 

 foliage for bouquets and in table decoration. The varieties A. 

 decumbens and A . sprengeri are of drooping habit, suitable for growing 

 in hanging baskets. Sowings should be made in heat during February 

 or March, pricking out the seedUngs as soon as they are large enough. 



ASPERULA (Woodruf). The A. odorata (Sweet Woodruff) is 

 a hardy perennial suitable for shrubberies or the Spring Garden, as 

 it thrives in shade and blossoms into pretty tufts of small white 

 flowers in May. Its dried leaves and stems are extremely fragrant 

 and were of old used to lay among linen. The A. azwea setosa is a 

 hardy annual of rather larger growth, flowering in April with a 

 dainty sky-blue blossom. Both may be raised from seed sown in 

 autumn. 



ASPIDIUM (Wood Fern). There are many hardy kinds — among 

 them A. filix-mas (Male Fern) — which will thrive under trees or in 

 shady parts of th^ garden (even in a town garden) if given plenty 

 of water, and a long list may be found in any good florist's catdogue. 

 The more delicate sort should be grown in leafy loam, well-drained, 

 but many will succeed in any ordinary soil. 



ASPLENIUM [Spleenwort). A free-growing fern of deep green 

 colour, well suited for growing in copse or on banks where it can have 

 some shade from the sun. The smaller kinds are useful for the Wall 

 Garden. 



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