718 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Hibiscus. — Of this extensive genus there are 

 many splendid species ; the majority are, how- 

 ever, better adapted to large and lofty stoves 

 than to those of ordinary height. They are all 

 readily propagated by cuttings, and require an 

 ordinary peat-and-loam soil. 



Hindsia. — Requires rather an intermediate 

 house as regards temperature. Propagates 

 readily by cuttings, and requires a loam-and-peat 

 soil. 



Hoya. — Climbing plants of great beauty, and 

 well adapted to the succulent-house. Propa- 

 gated readily by cuttings even of the leaves ; 

 require a light rich porous soil, as peat and loam, 

 with an admixture of broken bones, brickbats, 

 or small fragments of sandstone. They are all 

 impatient of damp at their roots. 



Ipomea. — Very handsome showy climbing 

 plants ; the tuberous-rooted sorts increased by 

 division of the tubers, and also by cuttings of 

 the young shoots, by which latter means most 

 of the rest of the genus is increased, as well as 

 by seed. They all require a rich turfy sandy 

 soil. I. Horsfallise should be grafted on I. in- 

 signis, or any other of the stronger-growing 

 kinds. 



Ixora. — One of the finest of all stove fa- 

 milies. Seldom met with, however, in a satis- 

 factory state of culture. Perpetual excitement 

 seems to be mainly the cause of this, and 

 hence we find those who give these plants four 

 or five months' rest — that is, from July to Febru- 

 ary — succeed much better. At the former period 

 they have completed their flowering, and are 

 then removed from the stove to the greenhouse, 

 or to a close pit where frost is excluded. In 

 February they are re-potted, and plunged in a 

 mild moist bottom-heat in a close frame or pit, 

 in which the temperature is maintained at from 

 60° to 70°. In this way they make fine strong 

 young wood, show fine heads of flowers, and 

 begin to bloom in April, when, if removed to 

 the plant-stove, they continue in great beauty 

 till the beginning of July. They strike readily 

 by cuttings placed in bottom heat, and thrive 

 best in a rich peaty soil. 



Jasminum. — The tender species of this genus 

 prosper best in an intermediate house as to tem- 

 perature, propagate by cuttings, and prosper in 

 a soil of peat and loam. 



Justicia. — Half-shrubby plants of easy culture ; 

 free bloomers, continuing most of the season 

 in flower ; propagated readily by cuttings, and 

 thrive in a soil of peat and loam. 



Lantana. — Readily increased by cuttings of 

 the half- ripened wood, preferring a peat-and- 

 loam soil. 



Luculia. — Requires also an intermediate tem- 

 perature, abundance of water while in a grow- 

 ing state, being kept comparatively dry while at 

 rest. They are struck by cuttings, but not very 

 freely, and prefer a soil of peat and loam. 



Mandevilla—A. free-growing slender climber 

 of great beauty and profusion of bloom. Pro- 

 pagates freely by cuttings, and thrives in a well- 

 drained peat-and-loam soil. Extremely liable 

 to the attack of thrip, red-spider, and mealy bug. 

 Frequent syringing over the foliage seems to be 

 the only remedy. It suits an intermediate tem- 



perature better than the excessive warmth of 

 the regular stove, yet it is too tender for an ordi- 

 nary greenhouse. We have found the humid 

 atmosphere of the aquarium a suitable place for 

 it during summer. 



Medinella. — Both the foliage and flowers are 

 elegant. The plants strike freely by cuttings, 

 and prosper in a peat-and-loam soil. 



Melastoma. — Tall, rather rambling plants, but 

 of great beauty while in flower. Propagated 

 readily by cuttings, and prefer a soil of half 

 peat and loam. 



Moussonia elegans. — A pretty Gesneria-like 

 plant, producing its orange and scarlet flowers 

 profusely during winter. Requires similar 

 treatment with Gesneria. 



Pavetta borbonica. — An interesting plant of 

 easy culture. 



Passifiora. — Climbing plants of great beauty, 

 propagating by cuttings, and a soil of half turfy 

 loam and peat. 



Pharbitis. — Elegant climbing plants, nearly 

 related to Ipomea, and requiring the same man- 

 agement. 



Philibertia. — A genus of pretty climbing 

 plants of easy culture. 



Physianthus. — Climbing plants, some of which, 

 as auricomus, are powerfully perfumed. Propa- 

 gated by cuttings, and preferring a soil of sandy 

 peat and loam. 



Pleroma. — Allied to Melastoma, of easy cul- 

 ture, and profuse bloomers. 



Poinciana. — Propagated by cuttings, and re- 

 quiring a peaty light sandy loam. 



_ Poinsettia. — A genus nearly allied to Euphor- 

 bia. While young, the plants should be repeat- 

 edly topped to secure a sufficient number of 

 shoots, after which they should be allowed 

 to take their own course, flowering on the tips 

 of the branches, and furnished immediately 

 under the flower with various coloured bracts, 

 which form their greatest attraction. Propa- 

 gated freely by cuttings, and require a well- 

 drained soil of peat and loam. 



Portlandia grandijlora. — An old but elegant 

 plant, producing large pure white flowers like 

 Brugmansia, and exceedingly fragrant. Propa- 

 gated by cuttings, and thrives in a soil of half 

 peat and loam. 



Quisqualis indica. — A charming stove-climber, 

 producing abundance of fragrant bunches of 

 flowers. The young wood should be annually 

 spurred in, as recommended for Combretum. 

 Propagated by cuttings, and requires a turfy 

 peat-and-loam soil. 



Rondiletia speciosa. — A shrubby-growing plant, 

 of great beauty while in flower. It requires 

 similar treatment to Ixora. 



Siphocampylos. — A genus of free-growing 

 plants, rather of a scandent habit, profuse 

 bloomers, and continuing a considerable time in 

 flower. Readily propagated by cuttings, and 

 requiring a turfy peat and loamy soil. 



Stephanotis floribunda, — A charming stove- 

 climber and profuse bloomer, the flowers of 

 which are very fragrant. This fine plant is very 

 liable to be attacked by the scale and white bug, 

 and therefore requires vigilance in keeping the 

 leaves clean by repeated washing. Propagated 



