Another Page of Notes and Comments 
7\ GAPANTHUS Umbellatus. I lately saw 
a clump of this ''Lily of the Nile” growing at 
the foot of a greenhouse wall, the foliage being 
dense green. They were producing spikes of bloom 
very freely, each being not more than 1ft above the 
leaves, which were of about the same height. The 
flower-heads, too, were much larger than usually 
seen, the color of the flowers being a deep blue. 
These were much superior to those grown in the 
greenhouse, being more healthy and vigorous, while 
the umbels of bloom were larger, richer in color, 
and held on shorter, stronger stems. S. 
NOTE. This plant is easily grown from seeds; it is 
hardy in the South, and further North in protected 
situation, but will not endure freezing. Grown in 
large pots at the North and set out in saucers o 
water in a shady place in Summer, it will make a finf 
display of lovely big umbels of bloom. See engravinge 
MORE ABOUT AGAPANTHUS. There is no fine- 
plant for a terrace or garden than Agapanthus Um r 
bellatus. I have eight tubs of it on a terrace here’ 
two of which have thrown up fifteen heads apiece' 
They are arranged along the terrace at intervals 
with tubs of Hydrangeas between. The plants are 
gross feeders and rapid growers, and the chief point 
in cultivation is to know when to divide. If allowed 
It can be also utilized as a pot plant for the margins 
of stages and in rustic basket arrangements. When 
using it thus my practice is to intermix it with either 
the common Mimulus or Harrison's Musk (Mimulus 
Moschatus) one being a pleasing contrast to the 
other. For planting promiscuously upon rockwork 
it is also valuable, as it does not require any great 
amount of soil in which to grow. J. H. 
NOTE. These trailing Lobelias deserve more atten¬ 
tion. The clusters of bloom arc blue, rose, end white, 1 
and are produced on slender graceful stems, always 
exciting admiration. The light, or heavenly blue va¬ 
riety is especially handsome, as also the dark blue 
with white eye. The seeds should be sown thinly in: 
rows, and when the plants appear place a layer of 
coal dust over the surface to ward off a fungus that 
causes damping off of the plants. When large enough 
pick out the little plants with a pen knife and reset 
them in a shallow tray of good sandy soil until large 
enough to transfer to their blooming quarters, either 
baskets, vases, or beds. They thrive in a mixture of 
equal parts of sand, rich loam, and fine stable litter, 
and delight in partial shade during the hot days of 
Summer. Be sure to try this grand Lobelia. 
COMPACT SCABIOSA in Pots. Within the last 
few years the compact Scabiosa has been grown 
to wait too long and 
the plants over-fill 
their pots or tubs 
they will dwindle 
away. They require 
shelter from Nov. 
until May, growing 
outdoors from May 
till Nov. W. W. 
MYOSOTIS Pal- 
ustris Semperflor- 
ens. This is certain¬ 
ly the best of the 
Forget-me-nots. It 
is the earliest to 
bloom,and will con¬ 
tinue flowering 
quite late in the 
year. The individ¬ 
ual firs, are large 
and abundantly 
produced. Plants 
grow freely, espe¬ 
cially in heat. Four 
small bits which 
were put in at the 
foot of a Rhodod¬ 
endron last Spring have now developed into a mass, 
which covers at least a yard of ground, and is now a 
perfect sheet of blue. Given a fair start by the water¬ 
side it will hold it's own with almost anything, and 
give no further trouble, J. C.T. 
NOTE. There arc more showy varieties of Myoso- 
tis, but they are not permanent as garden plants. The 
one above described is a tenacious perennial, and 
once established will not soon disappear. It is a good 
lasting everblooming perennial and will retain its 
place under trying conditions. See page 41. 
LOBELIA Gracilis. This is a rather rare variety in¬ 
troduced from New South Wales. It is trailing in 
growth rather than compact. As an edging plant or 
for marginal lines in the flower garden it is not a- 
dapted, but when used as a carpeting to and among 
plants of taller growth, it is most useful and very 
appropriate. Its chief utility, however, lies in its 
valuable properties as a basket plant or for vases in 
the flower garden. For these purposes during the 
Summer months it is extremely useful, being easily 
started, of quick growth, and flowering profusely. 
somewhat exten- 
sively for flowering 
during the winter, 
and very useful the 
plants are for that 
purpose, with no 
more heat than, that 
of afforded by an 
ordinary green¬ 
house, they will 
bloom for a consid¬ 
erable time, and the 
long stalks of firs, 
being used in a cut 
state fora variety of 
purposes. The cul¬ 
tivation of the 
plants is simple; all 
that is required be¬ 
ing to raise them 
early in the season, 
and grow them in 
pats placed out of 
doors until the cold 
weather sets in 
then place inside. 
H.P.(Eng. Garden), 
RUDBECKIA (Echinacea) Purpurea. I am glad to 
see that year after year this is coming more into use. 
Those who have seen flowers on their young plants, 
at a stature of perhaps 18” will no doubt have been I 
pleased by the singular colors and quaint form of | 
the heads; but provided they grow the plant well for 1 
another year or two, they will find that it attains a § 
height of S feet or more, and that the red-purple ray | 
florets will each measure 6” across. It is after seeing 
a specimen of my own that has been growing in a 
new border for three years that I have been induced 
to pen this note. I am sure that everyone that may 
try it will be delighted with it. J. W. 
NOTE. Plants of this hardy perennial are readily 
grown from seeds, and for a bed or border they arc 
showy and attractive throughout the season. The 
new hybrid varieties show flowers of various shades, 
and are desirable for cutting. See page 46. 
CENTAUREA Moschata. This is grown at Kew 
as a pot plant for the conservatory, and is an ex¬ 
tremely pretty and deliciously fragrant plant. It's 
silvery foliage goes so well with the tassel-like firs. 
The Beautiful Easily Grown 
I LILY OF THE NILE, (Agapanthus Umbellatus) | 
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