186 SUBTROPICAL PLANTS FOR THE PLOWER GARDEN. 



associations for which they are best adapted. In selecting 

 tender plants of noble aspect or elegant foliage^ suited for 

 placing in the open air in British gardens dnring the summer 

 months^ we shall confine ourselves to first-class plants only. 

 It is necessaiy that they be such as will afibrd a distinct 

 and desirable efiect if they do grow; and that is by no 

 means to be obtained from many subjects recommended for 

 subtropical gardening. And above all we must choose 

 such as will make a healthy growth in sheltered places in 

 the warmer parts of England and Ireland at all events. 

 There is some reason to believe that not a few of the best 

 will be found to flourish much further north than is generally 

 supposed. In all parts the kinds with permanent foliage, 

 such as the New Zealand flax and the hardier Dracsenas, 

 will be found as eff*ective as around Paris, and to such the 



northern gardener 

 should turn his 

 attention as much 

 as possible. Even 

 if it were possible 

 to cultivate the 

 softer - growing 

 kinds like the 

 Eerdinandas to 

 the same perfec- 

 tion in all parts 

 as in the south 

 of England, it 

 would by no 

 means be every- 

 where desirable, 

 and especially 

 where means are 

 scarce, as these 

 kinds are not capa- 

 ble of being used 

 indoors in winter. 

 The many fine 

 Yanegated Agave. permanent leaved 



