186 SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Fib. 61. 



associations for which they are hest adapted. In selecting 

 tender plants of noble aspect or elegant foliage, suited for 

 placing in the open air in British gardens during the summer 

 months, we shall confine ourselves to first-class plants only. 

 It is necessary that they he such as will afford a distinct 

 and desirable effect if they do grow; and that is by no 

 means to be obtained from many subjects recommended for 

 subtropical gardening. And above all we must choose 

 such as will make a healthy growth in sheltered places in 

 the warmer parts of England and Ireland at all events. 

 There is some reason to believe that not a few of the best 

 will be found to flourish much further north than is generally 

 supposed. In all parts the kinds with permanent foliage, 

 such as the New Zealand flax and the hardier Dracaenas, 

 will be found as effective as around Paris, and to such the 



northern gardener 

 should turn his 

 attention as much 

 as possible. Even 

 if it were possible 

 to cultivate the 

 softer - growing 

 kinds like the 

 Eerdinandas to 

 the same perfec- 

 tion in all parts 

 as in the south 

 of England, it 

 by no 

 be every- 

 desirable, 

 especially 

 means are 

 these 



Variegated Agave. 



would 

 means 

 where 

 and 

 where 

 scarce, 

 kinds arenot capa- 

 ble of being used 

 indoors in winter. 

 The many fine 

 permanent leaved 



as 



