338 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Abundance of water should be supplied to the roots, and a moist shady wall is favour- 

 able to strong growth. The small-leaved form, F. r. minimus, is particularly suitable 

 for covering the back walls of plant stoves. 



fittonia argyroneura.— (Syn. Gynostachyum Verschaffelti). This plant is 

 dwarf and compact, with large, broad, vivid green leaves, traversed by a network of 



pure white veins. F. Pearcei, is a 

 good companion, having light green 

 leaves, the mid-rib and veins bright 

 carmine. Both are effective either in 

 small pots or massed in pans, and are 

 also well - adapted for mixing with 

 Lycopodiums and other plants in 

 troughs and disposed so as to drape the 

 fronts of stages in plant stoves. Cut- 

 tings of firm shoots inserted in sandy 

 soil root freely in a close frame and 

 a temperature of 7 5 3 to 85°. Old 

 plants can also be divided in February 

 or March. Pans may be "made up" 

 with several plants. Drain well and 

 employ a compost of equal parts fibrous 

 loam and peat with sharp sand. They 

 form a beautiful undergrowth to large 

 plants stood on beds, delighting in 

 heat, moisture and shade. 



FRANCTSCEA OR BRUNFELSIA. — 



Evergreen shrubs of a slow-branching 

 habit, distinctly attractive when in 

 flower, and interesting by the change 

 of colours, from blue almost to white. F. acuminata, Eio Janeiro, height 1 to 2 feet, 

 has somewhat attenuated leaves, and produces bluish violet flowers rather sparingly in 

 the summer. F. calycina, Brazil, height 2 to 4 feet, has large shining green leaves, 

 and purple flowers in trusses, but almost continuously. F. c. major, a variety of the 

 preceding, is the finest Franciscea in cultivation. These and other species can be 



Fig. 154. FlCUS ELASTICA VARIEGATA. 



