FOLIAGE PLANTS FOR TOWNS 47 



So much for the Palms. Now for the coloured and 

 ornamental foliage plants. The following may be relied 

 upon as being very useful and satisfactory, as well as 

 possessing the quality of endurance : Ananassa satina^ 

 Asparagus plumosa^ and A. procumbens. These last are 

 the most graceful, feathery, branching things in the 

 world, delighting everybody. Many handsome Crotons 

 mix in well, and may be used with impunity, out-of- 

 doors. The following Dracaenas are also pretty, and 

 hardy, enough to brave an English summer. Dracaena 

 australisy D. fragrans^ D, linita^ D. Goldiana^ and many 

 other varieties. Bromeliads may be freely planted, and 

 will retain their beauty for a long time. Tillandsias, 

 Aspidistra lurida and its variegated form, are most useful 

 and never-failing plants. Several of the Fittonias are 

 also pretty. The never-dying Ophiopogon, any number 

 of Ferns, and various other decorative foliage-plants too 

 numerous to mention, are available for either house, 

 balcony, or window-box purposes. We might add 

 Kentias of different kinds, Nidularium fulgens^ and Bam- 

 boos. Every plant mentioned will keep in good looks 

 from June to the end of October. 



Anybody who wants more sorts than these, had better 

 consult his florist. I do not think I could resist adding 

 some old-fashioned scented-leaf Geraniums for the sake 

 of their delicious fragrance; both the Oak-leafed, the 

 Peppermint, and the Musk, all of which are more valu- 

 able for their foliage than their flowers. So " out of 

 fashion " these are now, that it is quite difficult to get 

 them from the Nurseryman ; we must invade the floral 

 sanctums of our friends, where a pot or two may often be 

 found hidden away in a Melon bed, or in a corner of the 

 Peach house, or keeping company with the sweet leaves 

 of the Grape-vine. 



