266 
THE FLORIST. 
A FEW HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 
The shortness of time during which border flowers last in bloom is no 
doubt one cause why they are not so much grown ; and the reason 
Verbenas and similar plants have taken their place. I have, however, 
managed to get them to bloom with me quite up to November, and as 
the sorts I employ are really valuable both for effect and for cutting, a 
hint on the plan 1 adopt may not be unacceptable to your readers. 
The plants I take are Phloxes, Delphiniums, Campanulas, Lysima- 
chias. Asters, Lychnis Bungeana, &c—the three former principally. 
The border for these should be deep and well manured in the spring, for 
much will depend on this. My borders form several large groups in 
the centre of a lawn surrounded by other beds filled with Geraniums, 
&c., and are interspersed with dwarf shrubs. About the middle of 
June—sometimes before—we cut back two-thirds of all our Phloxes, 
&c., to within six inches of the ground. The beds are now kept well 
watered to encourage the plants cut back to break afresh, which soon 
takes place. The spaces between them are filled with Gladiolus, 
Salvias, and Pentstemons, to produce a show of bloom in the interim, 
when they are removed, if necessary, to make room for the above 
to flower, which are now showing bloom, and will continue until 
late in the autumn; whereas the same plants not cut down are now 
dying and are being cut away. If the Phloxes throw up more 
shoots than will grow strong and produce good heads of bloom, I 
thin them to three or four on each plant, and the same by others. 
Where herbaceous plants are prized, this plan will enable the above 
and probably several other kinds to be seen in bloom as long as the 
season will permit them; they form good masses of bloom in the centre 
of a lawn, which we could not fill with common bedding plants, and 
are also very useful for cutting. 
G. 
THE ACHIMENES. 
N EARLY all the varieties of this lovely genus deserve to be ranked with 
the most beautiful and useful ornamental plants which our glass houses 
possess. Their flowers, of many delicate and pleasing shades of colour, 
are produced in great abundance for months in succession, and the 
plants themselves are mostly of compact growth and easy culture. 
While in a growing state all the varieties require the assistance of a 
rather warm and moist atmosphere, but during their flowering season 
they may be removed to a cooler and drier situation, such as a close 
greenhouse or conservatory, where they may be said to be indispensable 
during the summer and autumn months. 
As all the Achimenes increase rapidly by means of their scaly 
tubers, artificial propagation is almost unnecessary, except in nurseries, 
where it is perfectly understood. I shall, therefore, merely state that 
cuttings of the young wood, treated in the ordinary way, and placed in 
