TENDER BORDER AND BEDDING PLANTS. 323 
in the border or in beds, and the flowers are useful for cutting. 
Sow seeds in heat in February or March, transplant the seed- 
lings when large enough to handle in boxes or singly in small 
pots, grow in heat till the middle of May, then harden off and 
plant out in June. 
Calceolaria. (Slipper Flower). — With one exception, 
mentioned below, the genus Calceolarias is not a hardy one. 
The various species and varieties generally met with in gardens 
are tender plants, requiring the protection of a greenhouse 
or frame in winter. They belong to the Foxglove order (Scro- 
phulariaceae). The yellow and dark kinds grown for bedding 
out, and known as Shrubby Calceolarias, are varieties of C. 
rugosa, an old Chilian species. Several named varieties will 
be found in florists’ lists. Among the species, C. amplexi- 
caulis, bearing soft lemon-coloured flowers, and possessing a 
vigorous habit, may be specially mentioned as a first-rate 
bedding plant or for massing in borders. This species is 
largely grown. Then there is C. alba, a tall growing species 
(3 to 4ft.), flowers snowy white; C. hyssopifolia, dwarf, flowers 
lemon-yellow; C. Pavonii, 2 to 4ft., foliage large, light green 
and wrinkled, flowers large, yellow and brown ; C. violacea, 
2ft., leaves lance-shaped, green above and white beneath, 
flowers, rich purple or violet, and spotted ; and, lastly, C. 
kellyana, a hybrid with dwarf downy stems, and foliage re- 
sembling that of a mimulus, flowers yellow, dotted with brown. 
This kind is hardy and suitable for rockery cultivation. 
All the shrubby varieties and the species, omitting the 
hybrid kellyana, are tender, and require to be reared 
from cuttings in autumn in a cold frame and pro- 
tected from frost ; or on a hot-bed in spring. The 
cuttings should be selected from side-shoots, be 3m. long, 
have their base cut through close to a joint, and then be 
dibbled in firmly in a bed of sandy soil, covered with a layer 
of silver sand. When the cuttings are inserted, give the soil 
a good watering, and keep the frame close and shaded for a 
week. When the cuttings begin to look fresh, give a little air 
daily and only shade during bright sunshine. In frosty 
weather protect the sides of the frame with litter, and cover 
the sashes with mats. In March prepare beds in cold frames 
by putting in 3in. of rotten manure and 3 to 4m. of mould on 
top. In this transplant the rooted cuttings 4 to 6in. apart, at 
the same time nipping off the points of their shoots. By May 
strong, bushy, well-rooted plants . will be obtained for planting 
out. Where frames are not available, boxes may be utilised 
for transplanting, or the cuttings may be planted singly in 3m. 
pots. Calceolarias are also easily reared from seed sown in 
boxes or pots of sandy soil in heat in spring, the seedlings 
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