174 PLANTS FOR SUCCESSIVE DISPLAY IN THE FLOWER-GARDEN, ETC. 
3. Cuphea platycentra. A remarkably neat dwarf and compact plant, from 9 to 24 
inches high, with a profusion of bright vermilion-coloured flower-tubes throughout the 
autumn and winter months. Admirably adapted for small or large beds ; though thriving 
and blooming profusely (when planted out) in ordinary soils, it succeeds most perfectly in 
heath-mould. For pot-culture, equal portions of sandy loam, heath-mould and unfermented 
leaf soil is most suitable. 
4. Zauschneria californica. A small decumbent plant of neat growth, from 9 to 18 
inches high, with bright orange-scarlet flowers, from July until October. From the im- 
patience which this plant manifests under seclusion or shade, in ordinary pits or houses 
during the spring months, it is probable that this very beautiful plant will require a fuller 
exposure to light, and an artificially prepared soil, where it is otherwise naturally stony 
and retentive. Heath-soil appears to be inimical to its growth whilst in a young state. 
One-fourth of pounded bricks or potsherds, reduced to the bulk of split peas, added to the 
soil, has been found beneficial in its culture under ordinary treatment. 
5. Justicia pumila. A neat dwarf greenhouse shrub of small twiggy habit, and thin 
willow-shaped leaves, from 9 to 18 inches high, producing a profusion of rich crimson 
scarlet trumpet-shaped flowers, from July until September, and forming a very ornamental 
and distinct group or small bed. This comparatively rare and desirable plant becomes 
deciduous in the winter, and requires a dry intermediate house for its winter protection. 
6. Lyperia pinnatifolia. A small dwarf branching greenhouse shrub, with neat 
divided dark-green foliage, ornamented with a profusion of conspicuous violet-purple 
Lobelia-like flowers, from August until October. Forming an elegant small group or bed, 
the most beautiful plant of its colour. 
7. Senecio elegans atropurpurea. A greenhouse biennial plant of favourable habit, 
from 12 to 18 inches high, with numerous rich, double purple-crimson flowers, from July 
until October ; forming a neat small bed. In retentive soils or wet seasons requiring 
nearly one third of small broken brick or potsherds intermixed. 
8. Lobelia erinus grandiflora. A well-known but beautiful dwarf compact variety, 
4 inches high, yielding a long continued succession of rich deep-blue flowers, from July 
until October. Admirably adapted for small or large beds, marginal edgings, or portable 
specimens in pots. Undoubtedly the best of its section and colour for effect en masse , and 
for yielding a successive display by previously prepared stages of growth. 
9. Lobelia erinus lucida. Considered an improvement upon the preceding one, for 
culture in small pots. It is somewhat similar in habit, and producing rather larger rich 
blue blossoms, with a more conspicuous white centre. Being thinner in its growth it is 
incapable of yielding an equal continuation of bloom ; it is more beautiful but less useful, 
and requires strict attention to the removal of premature flower-buds to induce greater 
fertility. 
10. Lobelia erinus compacta. This is a much smaller plant, and much more compact 
in its growth than either of the preceding, producing a profusion of bright azure-blue 
flowers, from July until September. Being less robust in character, and liable to produce 
its flower-buds almost simultaneous with its growth, it requires special attention in obtaining 
a vigorous and accumulated growth under a genial temperature, in a close frame or green- 
house, before being allowed to manifest symptoms of bloom. If allowed to form attenuated 
or excited growth, it should be “ cut back ” to form more vigorous shoots. When seen in 
its true character, it forms an exquisitely beautiful object for a group or parterre, or 
placed within a suitable niche upon a low piece of rock-work or rural mound. 
11. Lobelia erinus alba. A neat and free-growing variety 4 to 8 inches high; 
dwarf, and compact in its habit, yielding a profusion of snow-white blossoms, from July 
until September. Adapted for small or large groups, and certainly the best of its colour. 
The varieties of L. erinus are remarkably well adapted for producing a successive display, 
by raising two or three stores at different periods in the spring, from vigorous plants of the 
current year’s growth, and only permitted to bloom towards the period required. 
12. Ageratum grandiflorum. An ornamental and free-growing plant of neat habit, 
from 1 to 2 feet high, producing numerous clusters of elegant light azure-blue flowers, from 
