130 Plant-growing in Wardian Cases. 



years. Doubtless the confined space had prevented it 

 setting flower buds, but it was a beautiful plant even 

 without flower. 



'Of the many plants that can be grown with advantage 

 in conjunction with Ferns, the Tradescantia zebrina is 

 among the very best. It has a low creeping growth, 

 with smallish oval-pointed leaves which clothe the 

 stems in pairs, each leaf being prettily silver-grey, 

 green, and brown striped, and having small pinkish 

 flowers at their axiles. It cannot fail to be a favourite 

 with all who grow it. The Calla Ethiopica, with its 

 large handsome green leaves and white trumpet-shaped 

 flowers, makes a grand centre-piece ; and the smaller 

 growing Caladiums, with their gorgeously coloured 

 leaves, give a charming diversity to the whole arrange- 

 ment. The feathery palm-like foliage of the Bambusa 

 looks very pretty, rising rigidly among the Ferns, which 

 they seem to rival in gracefulness. The pretty silver 

 variegated stove grass, Panicum variegatum, is another 

 little gem ; a little bit planted out in the rockwork 

 soon grows away. A plant of the variegated coltsfoot 

 grass, Dactylis glomerata, is a nice companion for it. 

 The ivy-leaved Geraniums, green and variegated, and 

 Lobelias, ajid several other plants, all thrive under the 

 same treatment given to Ferns and mosses, and help to 

 make up a truly grand case of plants. 



All the wild British Ferns described in a former 

 chapter do well in a "Wardian case in your room. The 

 most desirable Greenhouse Ferns to grow in conjunction 

 with them besides the ones described in a former 

 chapter are the following. The figures following their 



