336 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
has narrow leaves of a deep, crimson-red colour. These plants 
contrast well with white-leaved plants in formal bedding. To 
obtain a stock of these plants lift, repot and place in a warm 
greenhouse in September a few old plants, and strike cuttings 
from these in heat in spring. Grow the rooted cuttings on in 
heat in spring, harden off in May, and plant out early in June. 
Kochia. — A South European half-hardy annual with 
cypress-like foliage, and fine narrow leaves which are pale 
green at first, but eventually change to a richly-coloured tint 
as the summer advances. K. scoparia (Mock Cypress) is the 
only species grown, and this belongs to the Beetroot order 
(Chenopodiaceae). Sow the seeds in boxes of light soil in a 
gentle heat in spring, transplant when large enough to handle 
into other boxes, harden off in May and plant out in June. 
The plants have a dense pyramidal habit and are well suited 
for growing in outdoor vases. 
Lantana (Surinam Tea Plant; Mountain Sage). — A 
genus of shrubby perennials, requiring to be grown in a 
greenhouse in winter and outdoors during the summer. Dwarf 
plants are used for summer bedding, and tall ones trained as 
standards for subtropical gardening. They belong to the 
Verbena order (Verbenaceae). The species are not much cul- 
tivated, but there are many charming hybrids that are well 
worthy of culture in gardens. A few of the best for summer 
bedding are : Chelsea Gem, crimson and amber ; Delicate, 
pink with white eye ; Distinction, orange scarlet ; Drap d’Or, 
orange-yellow; La Neige, white; and Ne Plus Ultra, rosy-pink. 
Lantanas may be reared from seed in gentle heat in March, 
the seedlings grown on, hardened off in May and planted out 
in June to flower later in summer. To get really good plants 
of a given colour insert cuttings of side-shoots in sandy soil 
in pots in August, place these in a propagating frame till 
rooted, then grow on in small pots in heat. Or cuttings of 
young shoots may be inserted in spring in heat and grown on. 
When planted out see that the soil is deep and rich. Give 
plenty of water in dry weather and occasional applications of 
liquid manure. In autumn a few of the best plants may be 
lifted, moderately pruned and potted and placed in a heated 
house to supply cuttings in spring or make large bushes to 
plant out the next season. To ensure standards, commence 
with a seedling or cutting, remove all side-shoots and grow 
with one stem till the desired height is attained, then nip off 
the points, and when side-shoots form, nip off the points of 
these at 3in. from their base till a large head is formed, then 
cease. In after years, prune back closely in early spring, 
repot and grow on, planting out in June. 
