24 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
The Myrtle, or Periwinkle (Vinca minor), a plant which 
the ancients dedicated to Venus, may be grown in any house, 
although one usually associates it with outdoor gardening. 
Its bushy growth must be induced by frequent trimming. A 
rich loamy potting soil is best for this plant, and it should 
be given a sunny place in the window-garden. There is a 
variegated species of Periwinkle to be had (Vinca minor, 
var. Alba) which presents bright yellow foliage, and also a 
somewhat rarer variety, having white instead of the usual 
purple flowers. Beside these there is Vinca rosea, a pink, 
erect-growing species, which requires an abundance of sun- 
light and liberal watering. 
Azaleas are among the most beautiful of the broad-leaved 
Evergreens, although outside the greenhouse it is difhcult 
to grow them in northern temperatures with anything like 
success. The Azalea thrives best in a cool and airy room. 
Azalea Indica is the usual species one meets with at the 
florist’s. he proper night temperature for Azaleas is from 
50 to 60 degrees. After flowering (in the Spring), new 
growth in the plants must be encouraged by warmer tem- 
perature, and though the potting soil requires to be kept just 
moist, it must never be permitted to become dry. 
Sweet Bay (the Laurus nobilis) is one of the most decora- 
tive of indoor Evergreens, being cultivated with stem and 
globular crown, or as a bushy or pyramidal plant, leafing to 
the soil. It must be kept very cool and should be carefully 
cellared in Winter. When brought out for indoor use in 
Summer, the Sweet Bay should be placed only in unheated 
rooms. 
The Partridge Berry is the only hardy Evergreen we have 
which, in its native state, carpets the ground and bears red 
berries throughout the Winter. Mitchella repens is its 
botanical name. It does exceedingly well when brought out 
of the woods (though it may be procured without trouble 
from nearly any florist or nurseryman), and it should be 
grown under a bell-glass or in a vivarium; that is, an aquar- 
ium-like case for tender house-plants. 
The Laurustinus is an Evergreen native to southern 
Europe, and though hardy to Great Britain, it requires house 
culture in our climate, flowering indoors from November to 
April. Its blossoms are fragrant, white flowers, which are 
well set off by the dark green of its foliage. ‘This plant 
stands indifferent usage, being almost hardy, but it thrives best 
with generous potting and in earth composed of one part 
each of sand, leaf-mold and well-rotted manure. Care 
should be taken to give the leaves frequent washings, as 
they are great dust-attracters, and therefore their beauty is 
marred if the foliage is not kept clean. This Lauraustinus 
bears the botanical name of Viburnum tinus, and thus it is 
closely related to the common Snowball of the garden, the 
Viburnum Populus. 
Heath (Erica), like the Azalea, produces a multitude of 
small, hair-like roots, and requires loamy potting soil, rich 
in decaying organic matter. Good pot drainage is also 
requisite, and rain-water should alone be given these difficult 
Fvergreens. As a general rule they stand cool tempera- 
tures unusually well, and they must have plenty of air, though 
cold draughts will speedily injure them. Do not permit 
these plants to grow tall and spindling, but keep them low, 
bushy, and compact, by pinching and by the frequent turning 
of all sides to the light. ‘This preserves symmetry. Few 
house-plants make a greater show. A single ‘day’s neglect 
to water a Heath, or a day’s over-watering, may kill the 
plant; therefore many, through carelessness or a lack of 
knowledge of its requirements, have failed to raise the 
Heather successfully. The following varieties will be found 
the best for the window-garden: Erica Cavendishii (yel- 
low), E. caffra (white and fragrant), E. hyemalis (pink), 
E. persolute (red), and E. ventricosa (purple). 
The Daphne is a beautiful, sweet-scented Evergreen, but 
January, 1912 
The waxen-like Camellia is the loveliest of all indoor Evergreens 
it requires careful attention, for which reason it is seldom 
met with in gardens indoors. Daphne Indica is the variety 
for window purposes, bearing terminal bunches of fragrant 
white flowers. The leaves are long, glossy, and dark-green. 
It should have plenty of pot room, and its soil should (in 
common with that of all house-plants) be well drained. 
The Yucca’s handsome, stout foliage makes this well- 
known plant exceedingly decorative as an indoor Evergreen. 
Every traveler who has visited California recalls the great 
Yuccas to be found there, especially in the southern part of 
the state. Occasionally these giant species are transplanted 
to our gardens, and the smaller varieties thrive in 
gardens by the sea, being useful for decorative borders. 
The Yucca filamentosa is especially recommended to the 
amateur for the purpose, as also are Y. aloefolia and Y. 
quadricolor. Do not repot often, and give Yuccas a rich 
loamy soil. Yucca pilomentosa var. variegata has leaves 
streaked with white and is very attractive. 
The Kennedya is a lovely and graceful twining indoor 
Evergreen, and is not as often met with in the window- 
garden as it deserves to be. The shoots should be kept well 
trained to the wall, or against a frame. Give it plenty of 
water. Kennedya Marryattae is the scarlet variety, while 
the blossoms of the K. monophylla are a rich purple. There 
is not a finer climber for the window-garden. 
Although the varieties of indoor Evergreens here men- 
tioned by no means exhaust the list of those that are avail- 
able for house culture, those described are especially worthy 
the attention of everyone who has a window-garden and 
loves house-plants, and who, though acquainted with some 
of the more common varieties of these plants, may not have 
known that they come under the head of true Evergreens, 
which fact may, perhaps, lead the amateur indoor gardener 
to cultivate a real and lasting interest in them. . 
q 
a 
