i88 



THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



Strong plants move safely in either the spring or 

 autumn. See index for coloured plate. 



Iberis (Candjiiuft). — L sempervirens, the Evergreen 

 Candytuft, is the best of the iberises for spring 

 bedding, and should be largely grown for that 

 purpose. It is of a compact habit, attaining a 

 height of 9 inches, while the pure white flowers 

 are produced in great profusion from March to 

 May. I. s. superba is an improved form. I. 

 saxatilis, the Rock Candytuft, is more of a shrub, 

 but only grows to a height of 3 to 6 inches, and 

 flowers freely during the spring and early summer 

 months. They require much the same treatment 

 as recommended for alyssum, cuttings striking 

 the most surely in hand-lights. Directly they 

 are well rooted transplant to a cool border, giving 

 them the benefit of moderately rich soil, and water 

 frequently in dry, hot weather. Neat plants will 

 be obtained the first season, and these are suit- 

 able for the margins of bods. Iberises trans- 

 plant readily, but the old plants when moved out 

 of the beds in the spring should be temporarily 

 replanted in a cool spot at once, afterwards 

 dividing and replanting where they are to remain 

 all the summer. Undue exposure and serious 

 damage to the stock is thus avoided. 



Iris fcetidissima (Stinking Gladwin) is evergreen, 

 the variegated form being the best for bedding, and 

 particularly serviceable for dotting among other 

 dwarf plants to relieve their stiffness. The leaves 

 grow to a height of 2 feet. If the plants are not 

 wanted in the flower-beds all the year round the 

 summer quarters assigned them ought to be cool 

 and moist. Clumps divide readily, and this may be 

 done either in the spring or in the autumn when 

 the beds are refilled. 



Lysimachia numhularia aueea.— This, the golden- 

 leaved form of Creeping Jenny, is hardy and 

 effective as an edging plant. Increased by divi- 

 sion in either the autumn or spring ; suitable also 

 for summer bedding. 



Myosotis (Forget-me-not). — The biennial section (see 

 page 191) is the most extensively grown for spring 

 bedding, but the perennial species, M. alpestris 

 and its improved form, Queen Victoria, ought also 

 to be cultivated. It grows to a height of 4 to 6 

 inches ; flowers late in the spring; colour rich blue, 

 with a small yellowish eye ; should have a cool, 

 moist position during the summer. Increase by 

 division after flowering and by cuttings under 

 hand-lights. 



Omphalodes verna. — This is another pretty little 

 blue flowering plant from the south of Europe, 



and may be used for edging beds. It flowers 

 during March and April, and grows to a height 

 of 6 inches. It ought to have a shady position 

 and leaf mould mixed with ordinary garden soil. 

 Increased by division after flowering, and rooted 

 runners can be had from strong well-established 

 plants. 



Hardy Auriculas. — Alpine auriculas are particu- 

 larly well adapted for spring bedding. They are 

 originally raised from seed in the manner that 

 will be described, transplant readily, are perfectly 

 hardy and flower freely in the spring. Old plants 

 should be moved from sunny beds directly after 

 having flowered when they may be divided and 

 re-planted in a cool border and rich soil. Cut- 

 tings with a short length of hard stem attached, 

 inserted singly in thumb-pots and gritty loamy 

 soil, will strike root in a greenhouse, cold frame, 

 or hand-bght. Directly they are well rooted 

 harden off and plant out. It is a great mistake 

 to leave auriculas in hot sunny positions all the 

 year round, this having a weakening effect upon 

 them. A narrow border on the north side of 

 wall, fence, or hedge, is the best place for them. 



Primroses and Polyanthuses (see index for col- 

 oured plate). — Primrose flowers are solitary on 

 small peduncles, polyanthus are borne in umbels 

 on a stout scape. Seedling primroses frequently 

 develop into polyanthuses as the plants gain 

 vigour - . Seedlings are the most vigorous, and 

 produce the finest flowers in great profusion 

 during April and May, but good strains may be 

 propagated by division. This should be done in 

 June, when the old plants may be pulled in 

 pieces, and every division, with a few or many 

 roots attached, be planted firmly and deeply, 

 though not to the extent of burying the hearts, 

 in a cool border and good soil. Keep them sup- 

 plied with water till well-estabbshed, and strong 

 plants for flowering the following spring will 

 result. The double white, pink, lilac, and crimson 

 forms of the common primrose are increased in 

 the manner described. Plant in rich loamy soil, 

 and the less direct sunshine that reaches them 

 the better. 



Phlox subulata (Ground or Moss Pink), Florida. 

 — Of a tufted habit of growth; height 6 inches; 

 flowers light pink ; abundant in April and May.. 

 Of this little gem for spring bedding there are 

 improved forms that are superseding the type. 

 Two of the best of these are P. s. frondosa, and 

 P. s. Nelsoni. They succeed well in ordinary 

 soil. Increased by division after flowering. 



