March, 1907 



THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



• 5 



Prince Comille de Rohan rhododendron is a good variety for forcing. Very early, with blush flowers 



until a height of ten or twelve inches has 

 been attained and several whorls of flowers 

 produced. The individual flower is small 

 — one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch 

 across — and light blue in color. 



Primula obconica is equally as good and 

 lasts a long time in flower. The flowers are 

 pale blue, almost a white. The leaves, 

 however, are poisonous to the touch for some 

 people. 



There are several species of heath (Erica) 

 in the florist shops at Easter. These have 

 masses of small white or pink flowers which 

 last in good condition about one week. The 

 small plants, in z\ or 3-inch pots, are par- 

 ticularly useful for making up little centre 

 pieces. It is however a plant for the gardener 

 with a greenhouse, so either throw it away 

 when the flowers fade or get some florist to 

 board it until it comes in flower another 

 season. 



One may purchase orchids at this season. 

 As cut flowers, they last a week but if th whole 

 plant is bought they will last longer if kept 

 in a cool room where there is no illuminating 

 gas. Do not try to carry these over; dispose 

 of them as soon as out of flower. 



II. The Colored Flowers 



The commonest house-plant and the 

 easiest cared for is the geranium. This 

 may be had in white but is more usually 

 seen in the flower markets in some shade of 

 pink or red. If in flower when received 

 there is no reason why it should not continue 

 to bloom until warm weather when it may 

 be set outdoors in the flower bed. The 

 temperature of an ordinary living room suits 

 it admirably. If the soil in which a geranium 

 is growing gets slightly dry, less damage is 

 done than would be the case with most plants. 

 A gardener usually keeps geraniums on the 

 "dry side," which means they are grown in 

 a porous soil — one having free drainage — 



and while they are watered whenever it is 

 needed, there is never a surplus of moisture. 



The Ghent and mollis azaleas (A. Gan- 

 davensis and A . Sinensis) both flower before 

 the leaves have developed to any extent, but 

 their gorgeous colors make them very de- 

 desirable plants. The Ghent azalea varies 

 in all shades from white to red and lilac, 

 while the mollis has only yellow, orange, 

 and pink flowers. 



A near relative of the azalea, the rho- 

 dodendron, is also much forced for Easter. 

 The flowers are borne in great roundish 

 clusters five or six inches in diameter. In 

 color they vary from white to red and purple. 

 The gorgeously colored flowers have an ef- 

 fective background in the deep green of the 

 thick, leathery leaves. 



Both the rhododendron and the azaleas 

 will remain from a week to ten days in good 

 condition. When they are through flowering 



pick off the dead flowers, and the incipient 

 seed pods as well, and keep them growing. 

 All that is necessary is to keep them in a 

 light window and water. In late May plant 

 them outdoors in a place where they will 

 get morning and afternoon sun but be 

 shaded during the middle of the day. The 

 soil should be fine, free from lime and en- 

 riched, but there should not be any manure 

 anywhere near the roots. 



If in a congenial situation and the roots 

 protected by a mulch and the tops by pine 

 boughs or something of that sort the azaleas 

 will flower each spring. The rhododendrons 

 may disappoint you, however, for in the spring 

 there may be nothing but a few branches to 

 which some brown leaves are clinging. 

 This is because the varieties of rhododen- 

 dron forced in the greenhouses are varieties 

 and hybrids of R. Catawbiense, many of which 

 are not thoroughly hardy in the North. It 

 is, however, well worth trying because unless 

 the name of the variety is on the plant you 

 will have no clue to its hardiness. 



Hardy roses are also forced in pots. The 

 more common ones seen in the florists' shops 

 are Crimson Rambler, Baby Rambler and 

 Dorothy Perkins. These are trained on forms 

 and make a very pretty appearance. They 

 will last a week in flower in the house. 



The Crimson Rambler has double flowers 

 of a very bright crimson color. So striking 

 are they that a well-flowered bush has been 

 called a fire alarm. It bears a profusion of 

 flowers. Dorothy Perkins has all the good 

 qualities of the Crimson Rambler, with a 

 more delicate color — shell pink. If planted 

 late in May these roses will make a good 

 growth. Set them where they can be 

 trained up the side of a house or over a 

 pergola. 



The genista (Cytisus Canariensis) bears a 

 profusion of beautiful yellow, pea-shaped 

 flowers. This will last from a week to ten 

 days in good condition. After flowering give 

 the plant a light pruning, just enough to keep 

 the shape of the plant symmetrical, and grow 

 it on. Set it outdoors during the summer 

 and store for winter in a cool light place. 



Sander's variety is ihe best Bougainville* for forcing, because it blooms freely when grown in pots 



