458 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



GREENHOUSE AND HOTHOUSE PLANTS FOR THE OUTDOOR 

 GARDEN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. 



By Mr. Wm. Townsend, Head Gardener to Sir Wm. Jas. Farrer, 



Sandhurst Lodge, Berks. 



[Read August 13, 1901.] 



Many a greenhouse and so-called hothouse plant may be made to do 

 good service in the flower-garden — in beds or marginal borders, or upon 

 the grass. Only those who have seen them grown with this object in 

 view can form any adequate idea as to their utility and beauty. Fuchsias 

 are frequently used, but when planted in masses are not so beautiful or 

 so effective as when grown into specimen plants, being then grouped so 

 that the light and air can act their part in plant life. Two methods are 

 open at least, whilst others might suggest themselves, to plant or plunge 

 in beds or upon the grassy lawn. Such arrangements constitute a 

 pleasing departure from the too frequent masses of scarlet Geranium or 

 yellow Calceolaria. Another advantage with the Fuchsia is that of with- 

 standing changes of weather, and of temperature too, ^vith impunity, whilst 

 the autumn frosts will do but little injury. The same remarks apply to 

 Hahrotlmmmis Newelli and H. aurantiacus, which, as tall plants, are seen 

 to the best advantage possible. The Abutilons are another case in point, 

 such, for instance, as ' Canary Bird,' ' Boule de Neige,' and ' Brilliant.' 

 These will frequently escape frost when dwarf plants are injured thereby. 

 Large plants of Plumbago capensis, of Solanum jasminoides, and Ivy-leaf 

 Geraniums are other examples, the utility of which can scarcely be 

 doubted. It will be apparent that plants so recommended cannot be 

 raised from the cutting stage in one season, such as the Plumbago, for an 

 illustration, which needs to be two, three, and even four years old to produce 

 the best effect — Abutilons from two years upwards ; Fuchsias come into 

 use the first season onwards, summer-struck cuttings of these, if grown 

 on through the first winter, even forming a fairly good standard. The 

 Ivy-leaf Geraniums as standards are not so good as Fuchsias, but as 

 pyramids they are excellent : these, if grown on the following season, will 

 make large plants. 



At Sandhurst Lodge many greenhouse and hothouse plants, so called, 

 have been cultivated during the summer months in the open air. Many 

 of these have proved very ornamental when so treated, having previously 

 been grown into good-sized plants under glass. Out-of-doors they are 

 Xolunged slightly below the rims of the pots, being grouped on the turf 

 in suitable and congenial positions, with appropriate backgrounds of 

 greenery. 



The plants so grown and treated consist of Solanum jasminoides 

 (3 to 5 ft.), Lasiandra macrantha (5 to 7 ft.), Hahrothamnus Newelli and 

 H. aurantiacus (5 to 8 ft.), Begonia corallina, B. Ingrami, B.fuchsioides 

 (4 to 8 ft.) ; Scented-leaved and Double-flowered Geraniums (Zonals), Avith 

 Salvia splendens grandiflora (all from 3 to 5 ft.) ; Heliotropes in variety 



