PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 



27 



THE AZALEA. 



The Azalea Indica, or Chinese Azalea, is of Asiatic origin. 

 The varieties are innumerable ; but the most common and 

 longest known variety is that from which others are but 

 hybrids, Azalea Indica. 



It is a strong growing plant, with long, coarse, evergreen 

 leaves, producing in clusters of three or more, at the end of 

 the branches red flowers marked with dark spots. This 

 plant may be grown in great perfection, and, as well as ail 

 the varieties, is admirably adapted for a window plant. 

 The habit is shrubby, and the flowers are produced in great 

 profusion. A. Indica alba has white flowers, and is a fine 

 old variety. A. Indica purpurea is a variety with blossoms 

 of a light purple color ; a profuse bloomer, and of rapid 

 growth. There is also a double variety. A. Indica coccinea 

 is bright scarlet. From these all the fine varieties of the 

 green-houses have been produced. 



To grow the plants in perfection good drainage is essen- 

 tial. Fill? the pot one quarter full of broken potsherds, 

 then fill the soil to within half an inch of the top ; soil, a 

 dark peat three parts, one part of loam, one half part of 

 silver sand. 



