224 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the most commonly grown. Division in March 

 or April, every little piece pressed into the ground 

 growing. Plant thickly, in single pieces rather 

 than in bunches. 

 Sempervivdms.— S. calif ornicum, in the way of but 

 superior to S. tectorum (common houseleek), and 

 S. montanum, are hardy species well adapted for 

 clothing the raised margins of beds, while the 

 small cobwebby species, S. arachnoideum, is suit- 



able for clothing small mounds around a central 

 elegant plant. S. tabulaeforme is a greenhouse 

 plant, but effective on raised margins in large 

 beds. Common soil improved by the addition of 

 fine brick rubbish. Hardy kinds produce side 

 growths freely, which may be taken off in the 

 spring and replanted in the open. S. tabulseforme 

 is increased by offsets and leaves in a dry heat 

 and by seeds sown in heat during March. 



SUB-TROPICAL AND ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



Sub-tropical and "a variety of hardier, fine-foliaged, and flowering plants of stately- 

 habit can be employed with good effect in the beautification of pleasure grounds, for 

 relieving the formality and adding to the attractiveness of beds, borders, and lawns gener- 

 ally. In some instances they associate well with the ordinary summer bedding plants, or, 

 if preferred, large beds may be wholly filled with a class of noble plants that in bygone 

 years were kept constantly under glass. It is also possible to make sheltered nooks still 

 more delightful by grouping a few graceful palms, musas, tree ferns, and other ornamental- 

 leaved plants in these positions, not, however, in the way they are often seen in conser- 

 vatories, but rather thinly and artistically arranged, much as shown in Fig. 112, page 

 225, plunging the pots in the turf with a view to conveying the impression that the 

 plants are actually growing in the positions. If properly attended to in watering, and 

 housed before cold weather sets in, many tender plants used in this way do not suffer, 

 but some are improved by the change, and are again available for conservatory and 

 house decoration. Brief descriptions are given of several that are well suited to the 

 purpose, and cultural details appended. 



SELECTIONS AND CULTURE. 



Abutilon. — Varieties with handsome golden blotched 

 leaves are generally preferred. A. Darwini tesse- 

 latum, A. Sellowianum marmoratum, and A. 

 Thompsoni are all good and of an erect growth, 

 as is Souvenir de Bonn, margined; while A. 

 vexillarium igneum is of a trailing habit of growth, 

 but if grafted on stems of common abutilons at- 

 tractive standards are formed. Tops and side 

 shoots, taken off with a heel, root readily in a 

 brisk heat during February and March. Pot 

 singly, using ordinary soil, but do not top them, 

 as plants with single stems, 12 to 18 inches high, 

 are the most effective. They are greenhouse 

 plants. 



Acacia lopiiantha.— A New Holland species with 

 elegant green fern-like leaves. Young plants 

 are the most serviceable, but older ones are suit- 

 able for large mixed beds. Eaised from seeds 

 only, which must be soaked in very warm water 

 till swollen and soft, afterwards sowing in pans in 

 brisk heat. Place the seedlings singly in small 

 pots, giving one shift before they become root- 

 bound, using a mixture of loam and leaf soil or 

 peat and sand, and do not top the plants. Winter 

 in a greenhouse or conservatory. 



Acalypha. — A. musaica and A. tricolor have large 

 handsome leaves, blotched or mottled with bronzy 

 green, orange, red, and crimson. Showy but not 



