75° 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Albizzia lophantha is a most graceful plant, allied to the 

 Acacias, and having a Fern-like appearance. Propagate by seeds 

 sown in heat in March, pot on, and transfer to the cool pit to 

 grow. 



Aloysia citriodora (Lemon-scented Verbena). — This can 

 hardly be called an ornamental foliage plant, but should be admitted 

 on account of its beautifully-scented leaves. Hard-wooded. Raise 

 from cuttings of young shoots in the cool pit in summer, grow 

 in fibrous loam and sand, and cut back and transfer to the cool 

 pit in winter, placing in the warm one to break in spring. 



Aralias are evergreen hard - wooded plants. Raise from 

 cuttings of ripe wood placed in bottom-heat in winter. Grow 

 in loam, sand, and peat. Sorts : A. quinqiiefoUa^ A. reticulata 

 and A. trifolia. 



Araucarias. — Some of these are very beautiful, ornamental, 

 tender Conifers, and are most useful either in a young state 

 grown in small pots or as large specimens, planted out or in tubs. 

 Propagate by cuttings of the leading shoots in the cool pit, as 

 only these will form plants. When a plant has been so treated 

 its shape is ruined, and it is either necessary to have a stock 

 plant or else to purchase. Sorts : A. exceisa, A. Bidwillii^ 

 and A. Cunninghaniii. 



Asparagus plumosus nanus and var. sca?ide?is are most elegant 

 plants, and invaluable in the greenhouse. Propagate by division 

 in early spring at the time of starting. Plant in loam with 

 plenty of sand, giving an abundance of moisture whilst growing. 

 In w^inter they require to be rested (when grown as cool green- 

 house plants), and so but little water should be given them, and 

 the old growths cut away as they begin to fade. When grown 

 in the warm pit or stove, growth will be made all the year 

 round. In early spring the plants will start again, and then they 

 should be repotted. A. p. scand€?is, as the name implies, is a 

 climber, and should be grown on a trellis or balloon ; it can 

 also be grown on pillars, but will not attain much, height in 

 that way. The foliage has a very delicate and Fern-like 

 appearance, and is largely used for cutting. 



Aspidistras are universally grown. Propagate by divisions in 

 spring, and grow in loam, leaf-soil, and sand. They are most 

 useful and effective as good-sized specimens in Sin. pots. Sorts : 

 A. elatior variegata, A. lurida and A. /. variegata. Height lift. 



Begonias. — The foliage-leaved section of Begonias are mostly 

 stove plants, but there are some that will adapt themselves very 

 readily to the greenhouse. The hybrids of B. Rex (Fig. 497) are 

 most useful ; they may be propagated by leaf-cuttings in warmth 

 during summer in the same manner as Gloxinias. Grow in peat, 

 loam, and sand in the warm pit, and remove to the greenhouse 



