242 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



to form bushy plants, and each spring re-pot, using a loamy compost. Prune after 

 flowering, and during the summer stand the plants in the full sun, plunging the pots in 



ashes. 



Ehododendron. — Some, of the choicer semi-hardy rhododendrons are well worthy 

 of a permanent place in a large conservatory, and these planted in nearly all peat would 

 develop into grand flowering specimens. Among those recommended for this purpose 

 may be mentioned, E. arboreum, E. Aucklandi, E. Edgeworthi, and E. Nuttalli. E u 

 fragrantissimum (Fig. 144) is both beautiful and sweet. Most of the hybrid varieties, 

 of which there are many available, may be forced, and large numbers of sturdy bushes 

 bristling with flower-buds are annually imported for that purpose. After flowering, all 

 the seed pods should be removed and the bushes kept in a cool house till May, when 

 they ought to be planted out in peat, good leaf soil, and a little loam in which there is 

 no lime. The soil should be packed firmly about the roots and never allowed to become 

 dry, excessive dryness entailing the loss of plants. A mulching of leaf soil would save 

 the watering-pot somewhat. Not many of the bushes will have sufficient flower-buds 

 on them to pay for lifting the same year as planted out, but they should flower freely a 

 season later. 



Eibes. — Flowering currants (Eibes sanguineum and varieties) are not often forced, 

 owing, probably, to the short time in which the flowers keep fresh. Well-prepared 

 bushes force readily and flower profusely. After removal from the conservatory, forced 

 bushes ought to be hardened, lightly pruned, and planted out in ordinary garden soil. 



Eobinia. — Of this family of hardy shrubs the Eose Acacia, Eobinia hispida, is the 

 only species recommended for forcing. When seen in good condition, this is a most 

 attractive plant. It should be subjected to gentle heat. After flowering, shorten all the 

 shoots, leaving them about one inch long. The shrubs may be either planted out in 

 ordinary garden soil, or kept in pots, re-potting soon after pruning. 



Spiraea. — Shrubby spiraeas are altogether distinct from those of an herbaceous 

 nature. S. cantoniensis, better known as S. Eeevesi, is an evergreen shrub of thin, 

 woody growth, and produces small trusses of white may-blossom-like flowers in great 

 abundance. Of this species there is a double-flowering form and several other desirable 

 varieties. S. grandiflora, synonym Exochorda grandiflora, is a good companion for 

 S cantoniensis. All force well and present a very gay appearance. After flowering, 

 prune all irregular growths, and either re-pot or else plant out in ordinary garden soil. 



Staphylea. — The Colchican Bladder-nut, Staphylea colchica, is one of the best hardy 



