164 



HBfTADRffi! •WtHAOaPHIAM- H/ GARDEN -«-GKEE HHOUSE PLANTS i 



Dreer's Select Gloxinias. 



DREEK'S SELECT 

 GLOXINIAS. 



The following cultural notes have 

 been written by Mr. Eben. E. Rex- 

 ford expressly for this book: 



"The Gloxiniaought to be one of our 

 common plants because of its great 

 beauty, the profusion of its flowers, and 

 its summer-blooming habit. But it is 

 not common, by any means, and this 

 fact is attributable almost entirely to 

 the impression that prevails to a great 

 extent that it is a very difficult plant to 

 grow — quite beyond the ability of the 

 amateur, in fact. Such is not the case, 

 however, if one goes at it in the right 

 way. 



" It is a plant that is rather par- 

 ticular about the soil it grows in. Pot 

 it in ordinary garden loam, and it will 

 seldom do well. But give it a soil of 

 one part loam, one part turfy matter or 

 leafmold, and one part sharp sand, 

 with a sprinkling of fine bonemeal, 

 and it will flourish luxuriantly, 



"The pots in which they are grown 

 should be given the best of drainage, 



and great care should be taken in watering. A soil that becomes sour, or 

 heavy from the excessive use of water, will almost invariably cause them 

 to blast or drop their buds. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, but never 

 allow it to become like mud and remain so for any length of time if you 

 want fine Gloxinias. In watering, be very careful to not let any 

 get on their leaves. They will be greatly injured by it. Use a pot with 

 a small spout that can be thrust in among the foliage and deliver the 

 water just where it is needed without its coming in contact with the 

 leaves. Never sprinkle this plant. They should be wintered in the man- 

 ner advised for the Tuberous Begonia." 



We offer them in the following separate colors, viz.: Blue, Red, White, 

 Red with white lx>rder, Blue with white border; also in choicest mixed 

 colors. 15 cts. each; $1.50 per doz.; $10.00 per 100. 



HYACINTHIS CAMHCANS. 



(Cape Hyacinth.) 



A snow-white summer-flowering Hyacinth, growing 3 to 5 feet in height, 

 gracefully surmounted with from 20 to 30 pun- white, bell-shaped flowers. 

 5 cts. each; 50 cts. per doz.; by mail, 111 cts. per doz. extra. 



HELIOTROPES. 



Heliotropes are great favorites, principally on 

 account of their delicious fragrance; they grow 

 freely under glass, and may be planted in the 

 open border during the summer. 

 Centefleur. Rich, deep violet with white eye. 

 Chieftain. Lilac, large truss. 

 Mastodonte. Bright violet-blue with light eye. 

 Mme. de Blonay. Large truss, nearfy pure 



white. 

 Picciola. Violet-blue with white eye. 

 10 cts. each; $1.00 per doz. 



HIBISCUS SINENSIS. 



(Chinese Hibiscus ) 



Well-known evergreen tender shrubs 'which 

 may be either grown in a pot or tub, or planted 

 out during the summer. They flower freely dur- 

 ing the entire summer, and even in the winter if 

 kept in a light, sunn)- position in the house. As 

 a rule, they flower more freely when grown in a 

 pot or tub, and when grown in this way the roots 

 are kept in confinement and it is easier to handle 

 them in the winter. They can also be kept over 

 winter in a warm cellar or any place where the 

 thermometer does not fall below 50 degrees. In 

 such a position give only enough water to keep alive, 

 never permitting the soil to become dust dry. 

 Aurantiacus. Fine double pure salmon. 

 Grandiflorus. Very large single rose. 

 Miniatus Semi-plenus. The finest and most 

 brilliant semi-double vermilion-scarlet, with flowers 

 4 inches in diameter. 

 Peachblow. Large double flowers, of a soft pink, 



with deeper centre. 

 Sub=Violacea. Flowers very large, of a beautiful 



carmine tinted violet. 

 15 cts. each.; $1.50 per doz,; the set of 5 for 65 cts. 

 The Hardy Hibiscus are offered on page 222. 



IPOH03A. 



Noctiflora (Moon Floicer). The well-known 

 popular white, fragrant favorite. Of very rapid 

 growth. 



Learii (Blue Dawn Flower). Intense violet-blue, 

 flowers 6 inches in diameter. 



10 cts. each; $1.00 per doz. 



HVACINTHUS CAVDtCANS. 



Hfliotropb. 



Book, on Horticultural Subject* are offered on the imide of the back cover. 



