708 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Campanulas. — C. persicifolia grandiflora alba (Fig. 456), 

 C. pyramidalis (blue), and C. p. alba (white) are grand summer 

 flowers for greenhouse decoration, the blossoms being borne on 

 tall, straight spikes, a succession being kept up for a long time, 

 especially when the dead ones are continually picked off. 

 Although hardy perennials they are much better when grown in 

 pots, and no greenhouse should be without them. C. pyramidalis 

 and its var. alba reach a height of 4ft, making a splendid show 

 when in a group in the centre bed. Propagate by division of 

 the roots in spring. C. pyramidalis is, however, best treated as a 

 biennial. Raise from seed sown in May, grow in fairly rich 

 compost in the open during summer, and in frames during winter, 

 only giving sufficient protection to keep away frost. Flower in 

 8in. pots. C. persicifolia is best flowered in 6in. pots, but it 

 can also be grown three together in 8in. pots. C. fragilis 

 is a small trailing plant, very useful for hanging-baskets. 

 Light blue. Propagate by cuttings in May, and grow in a 

 cool pit. 



Carnations and Picotees are useful for both summer- and 

 winter-flowering. Carnations are divided into three groups : 

 (1) Show, (2) Tree or Perpetuals, and (3) Malmaisons. 



(1) Show Carnations. — These are again divided in Bizarres, 

 Flakes, and Cloves or Selfs. They are propagated by layers ; 

 this should be done in August, plunging the plants in 



large pots, and layer- 

 ing all round the out- 

 side. Pot the rooted 

 layers in October in 

 3in. pots, keeping in 

 a cool frame during 

 winter, and shift into 

 6in. pots in March to 

 flower. Sorts : Dr. 

 Hogg, Rifleman, Har- 

 mony, Mrs. Douglas 



( Fi g- 457). J am es 

 Douglas, Sportsman, 

 and Rob Roy. 



(2) Tree Carnations 

 are most valuable for 

 winter blossoms. Pro- 

 pagate by cuttings in 

 slight bottom-heat in 

 February, grow on in a frame at first, later on standing outside 

 on a hard ash bottom ; pot into 6in. pots, and take inside in 

 the cool pit in September, placing 'them in the warm pit to open 

 the flowers in January and February. Sorts : Mrs. Leopold de 

 Rothschild, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Muir, Winter Cheer, and Uriah Pike. 



Fig. 457. — Carnation Mrs. Douglas. 



