FERNS AND FERNERIES 



upon what is fast becoming one of the "common" plants of 

 California gardens. 



These ornamental forms of asparagus are nearly all 

 natives of South Africa. Asparagus tenuissimus is most 

 commonly grown by the florists, and is hardy out of doors. 

 It is a variety similar to Asparagus plumosus and climbs 

 more readily, but is not so useful with cut flowers. As- 

 paragus plumosus is distinguished by its flat, more fern-like 

 leaves; it is an excellent house plant, and attains great size. 

 One I have in mind is now seven or eight years old and fills 

 a great bow window and runs about the walls of a cottage 

 living-room in beautiful festoons, giving its owner but little 

 care. In sheltered locations out-of-doors, free from frost, 

 it is a fine porch or trellis vine. Asparagus sprengerii is of 

 not so pretty a green color, but is even a better keeper when 

 cut. It is this wonderful keeping quality that makes the 

 asparagus so valuable for decorative purposes. In fresh 

 water they will keep three or four weeks, greatly enhancing 

 their value over that of ferns. There are now over one 

 hundred species of these decorative asparagus under culti- 

 vation, and are easily propagated, either by seed or divisions 

 of the roots. They require a rich sandy loam, and regular 

 but not too frequent watering. I have found that when 

 Asparagus plumosus shows signs of fading or yellowing as a 

 house plant a slight stimulant in the way of a dose of am- 

 monia is a good thing once in two or three weeks. Mix in 

 proportion of one tablespoonful of washing ammonia to one 

 gallon of tepid water. 



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