TALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PLANTS 1 5 



Agapanthus. — Only in the south-west can this splendid 

 plant be permanently established in the open ground, 

 but in that district striking effects are afforded by large 

 clumps of A. umbellatus in full flower on sheltered grass 

 slopes. 



Agave americana. — Another subject only suited for 

 naturalising in the south-west, where it succeeds admir- 

 ably on sunny southern slopes or on rocky banks. There 

 the variegated variety also thrives and towering 

 candelabrum-like flower-spikes twenty feet and more in 

 height are occasionally to be seen. The leaves are grand 

 in form and gigantic in size being sometimes over eight 

 feet in length. 



Alstroemeria. — A. aurantiaca (which is a plant difficult 

 to eradicate from the cultivated border) if planted at 

 sufficient depth, is perfectly hardy and spreads rapidly. 

 It is best suited by a sunny position in light warm soil, 

 preferably on a slope. Height, three to four feet. 



Anchusa.—A. italic a is a tall branching plant, six feet 

 in height, bearing numbers of small flowers of an intense 

 blue, through many weeks of the summer. There is a 

 fine, large-flowered variety with blossoms an inch in 

 diameter that is far superior to the type. 



'Anemone japonica is an excellent plant for naturalising 

 in the open spaces of woods or at the verge of sunny 

 dells. The white variety, Honorine Jobert, is one of the 

 best, and in good soil attains a height of five feet, grow- 

 ing so strongly as to overpower al] but the rankest 

 herbage. 



Angelica. — A native plant, valuable for its handsome 

 foliage. 



Antirrhinum. — Chiefly useful for rocky slopes where 

 a bright show may be provided by scattering some seeds 

 broadcast. Snapdragons need little soil and will grow 

 to a height of two feet on the ledge of a brick wall in a 

 pinch of earth. Dwarf varieties should not be employed. 



