22 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



HELICHRYSUM. 



white, deep scarlet, purple, red, orange, orange- 

 brown, and several other shades among these. 

 When being cut to dry for winter use, they should 

 be taken about three-parts open, as near mid-day 

 as possible, and hung up in a cool shed, head 

 downwards, until dry. If left until the flowers 

 are fully expanded, the centres are apt to dry a 

 dull and dirty colour. 



Ammobium alatum has much the same 

 globular formed flowers as H. bracteatum, but 

 smaller, and of the purest white. Sow in the 

 open, during March or April, according to the 

 season, give a rich loam, and thin to i8in. between 

 each plant. The flowers can be cut and dried at 

 almost any stage. A yellow counterpart of this 

 is found in Gnaphalium fcetidum, which may be 

 treated the same. Both are annuals. 



Rhodanthes, Acrocliniums, and Helipterums 

 may be classed together as regards culture 

 These have a great objection to root disturbance, and should be sown where they are to flower, 

 •whether in the open or in pots. If in the open, they must have a sandy soil and a warm 

 border. It is only in exceptional seasons that these are at their best outdoors. Their average 

 height is from i ft. to lift., and being of slight growth it is better to sow the seed rather thickly. 

 '1 hey are most useful for pot culture, especially the rose and white forms of Rhodanthe 



Manglesi, which may be had in flower for 

 many months of the year, 

 atrosanguinea is a deep red, 

 yellow of the same form we 

 Helipterum Humboltianum. All 

 cutting, and last well. The last-named, 

 although a bright yellow when fresh upon the 

 plant, turns a metallic green when dried. When 

 cultivated in pots, they need a much richer 

 soil, and an excellent compost is made of 

 sandy loam one half, the remainder being cow 

 and stable manure mixed, with a dash of sharp 

 sand and plenty of bottom drainage. Care 

 must be taken not to over-water while the 

 seedlings are young, or they will damp off close 

 to the soil. 



Xeranthemum annuum and its varieties 

 give us the "Immortelles" so freely used in 

 crosses, wreaths, etc. White and various shades of violet-purple are the main colours. They 

 are good summer flowers in the open, and as easily grown as most annuals. Sow in boxes or 

 pans in April, and prick' out in any rich and fairly well-drained soil by the middle of May. It is 

 an annual, and one of the best for the flower garden. The flowers must be cut dry and when 

 just bursting if they are to be bright and clean. 



Waitzias are peculiar and showy, but a little heat is needed to raise the seeds, and a 

 dry summer is necessary for them out of doors. They make excellent pot plants when treated 

 in a similar way to the Rhodanthes. Waitzia grandiflora and W. nivea are the two best. 



Gomphrena globosa is a pretty annual that may be treated in the same way, growing from 



R. Mamalesi 

 while for a 

 must turn to 

 are sood for 



ACROCLINIUM. 



