724 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Adenandras are dwarf plants from the Cape, and are very 

 showy. Propagate by cuttings taken from the young tops, and 

 root in the cool pit. Grow in peat, sand, and loam. Cut back 

 and keep warm after flowering for a time. Flowering period, May 

 and June. Sorts : A. fragrans and A. umbellatus speciosa. 

 Blossoms pink. 



Aotus. — A genus of extremely pretty little plants, which are 

 easily propagated by cuttings of partially ripened wood in April or 

 May in the cool pit. Grow in light sandy loam with a little peat 

 added. A. gracillima has a procumbent habit, and is suited for 

 hanging-baskets, the long, slender shoots, covered with red and 

 yellow flowers, being very effective. A. villosa has a more erect 

 habit and yellow flowers. Flowering period, April and May. 

 The blossoms are pea-shaped, and very much resemble those of 

 Genista. 



Azaleas are well-known and justly-prized plants, but require 

 great care. They are now botanically classed as Rhododendrons, 



but as they are best 



known by their old 



name it is 



kept up 



here. 



A. indica 

 (Fig. 470) is 

 the chief 

 parent of 

 the ever- 

 green hy- 

 brids. These 

 present con- 

 siderable 

 difficulty in their pro- 

 pagation, which can be 

 effected either by cut- 

 tings of the young tops 

 struck in a mixture of 

 half sand and peat, or, 

 which is the better way, 

 by grafting on seedlings ■ 

 or cuttings of A. i. alba, 

 or some other strong- 

 growing variety. This 

 method is employed 

 on the Continent, where so many are raised. It should be done in 

 early spring, and the grafted plants placed in a close frame with 

 gentle heat. Grow in peat and sand, with the addition of a little 

 16am. After flowering, and whilst they are growing, keep warm 



Fig. 470. — Azalea indica. 



