The Garden Magazine, June, 1921 
24S 
through in quantity sufficient to keep the soil moist without 
running over. 
Potted Plants that Summer Successfully on the Porch 
P LANTS which will flourish in the more or less shaded con- 
ditions of the average porch are fortunately fairly numer- 
ous. Of these the Aspidistra is perhaps the most common, with 
the Rubber-plant (Ficus elastica) a close second. 
The Aspidistra is among foliage plants what the Geranium is 
among bedding plants. It will grow and thrive under conditions 
that would be death to many plants; yet this is no reason for neg- 
lecting it, for it will respond to good treatment. Give it plenty 
of water, and an occasional top-dressing with commercial fer- 
tilizer, preferably bone meal, or liquid manure water once or 
twice a week. It will flourish in sunshine or shade; does not 
mind dry air or dust; and will endure a good deal of cold. A 
loamy soil suits it best. A variegated form which has strips of 
creamy white of varying widths running through the length of 
the leaves, adds a welcome touch of color. 
The Rubber-plant is a general favorite because of its large, 
thick, glossy leaves, dark green in color, and almost as firm as 
J ; leather, which enable it to withstand the bad effects of dry air 
and dust. Do not try to force growth with a rich soil, but feed 
once or twice a week with liquid manure. Give water in plenty, 
and wash the leaves weekly. It does best in a partially shaded 
place. 
The Fan Palm (Latania borbonica), perhaps better known to 
many plant growers as Livistona chinensis, makes a handsome 
plant for a shaded porch, with its broad fan-shaped leaves, and 
low, spreading habit of growth. It requires a rather light, well 
drained soil, and abundance of water. 
Areca lutescens is a graceful Palm of upright habit with 
yellowish stalks, and when large specimens are available, very 
t suitable for porch decoration. It needs plenty of water, and 
will stand heat and dry air well. Scale sometimes attacks it, but 
an occasional sponging with soapy water, or a solution of fir-tree 
i oil will keep it in check. 
Of the Date Palm family there are several members well fitted 
for porch use. In fact it is to this section of the Palm family 
we have to look to find subjects that will stand the hottest 
sunshine, without losing their color, whether they be in tubs, 
vases, or beds. Phoenix reclinata has long leaves which spread 
and curve gracefully, is a free grower, and will stand almost any 
kind of neglect and abuse. We have handled many of these 
plants that have been tied and retied, packed and re-packed; 
that have suffered heat and cold, gas and dust, and still stand 
up with their arching fronds almost perfect, as though they rel- 
ished the treatment. 
AGAPANTHUS is one of the most floriferous of summer- 
J \ flowering plants for porch decoration and deserves to be 
better known. It is not a bulbous plant, but sends up its 
leaves from thick, fleshy half-tuberous roots. It is best grown 
in tubs as the strongly pushing roots not infrequently break 
the ordinary pot. Its flowering season commences in June 
and lasts from six weeks to two months. It succeeds admir- 
ably in common loam; requires plenty of root room, and an 
abundance of water. 
The Oleander (Nerium Oleander) is everybody’s favorite, 
and as an evergreen summer-flowering plant is well adapted to 
porch conditions. It is of easy culture, but subject to attacks 
of scale (which should be sponged off with a solution of fir- 
tree oil), and mealy bug (which is readily cared for with 
the hose.) Flowers are borne on the current year’s growth 
which should be well ripened, so that the plants must be given 
all the light and air oossible and the water supply reduced as 
growth ceases. 
Well grown specimens of Hydrangea hortensis are extensively 
used for porch decoration, and for an open sunny position have 
few equals. They require a generous growing medium, made 
up of good loam, leaf soil, well decayed manure, and bone-meal. 
During the summer a liberal supply of water is indispensable, 
and liquid manure water occasionally is beneficial. Blue 
flowers may be obtained by watering with alum water the 
preceding year. 
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WHAT JULY PROMISES THE READER 
F OR warm weather days when we do not want to waste an unnecessary moment indoors “The Secluded Garden,” by John L. Rea, 
has appealing suggestion; and E. C. Stiles’ “ Garden Furniture ” offers ways of making our gardens practical and comfortable liv- 
ing places. 
“Personal Prejudices of a Peony Fancier” presents an interesting list of the preferred Peonies chosen by Mr. H. A. Norton from 
among the four hundred and fifty varieties grown in his own garden in Canada. 
“ In the Country Garden ” by Miss Ruth Dean, already known to you through her work in the field of landscape design, is a 
revelation of the many, scarcely as yet realized, possibilities for convenient and happy out-of-door life. 
The traveler may delightfully refresh his memory in Asa Steele’s "Gardens of France,” which also affords the stay-at-homes an 
imaginative journey and a glimpse of how our French friends plant their flowers. 
Mr. Eldredge’s “ Prairie Flowers ” links the flora of the prairie lands with our snug little domestic enclosures in interesting 
fashion. Then in July there will be “Sundials ” two pages of them, and — well, let’s leave something to the imagination! 
«HI 
1®«II1 
m 
PATCHWORK 
LOUISE AYRES GARNETT 
My garden is a patchwork quilt. 
Enchanting fragrances and lilt 
Of dancing colors mingle there 
In figures quaintly debonair. 
The patches on the coverlet, 
From hollyhock to mignonette. 
Run patternwise across the bed, 
Tufted with many a pansy head. 
The earth so weary-long has lain 
Beneath a sober counterpane, 
She feels an ecstasy indeed 
To have so much of beauty freed, 
And proudly, under four-post trees, 
Cuddles the patchwork round her knees. 
