288 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
GARDENIA CITRIODORA. 
A native of Natal, this deliciously fragrant white- 
flowering evergreen shrub does not require a high tem¬ 
perature, thriving excellently in an intermediate tem¬ 
perature or cool stove. The foliage is a bright deep 
green, the leaves longer and broader than G. jlorida. 
The fine Jasmine-like flowers are produced from the axils 
of the leaves of the last year’s growth in a branched 
peduncle of several flowers, white, and having a de¬ 
lightful Orange-blossom-like fragrance, hence their 
value when mounted for bouquets. A plant in flower 
is sure to awaken interest and attract attention by its 
agreeable perfume. Flowering naturally at the dull 
season, usually in December or January, it is a welcome 
addition to our list. It is very easy of culture. Not being 
a gross-rooting plant, it must not be overpotted, and when 
at rest over-watered, or the flower buds will drop; indeed, 
at no time must asoddened condition of the soil exist, or 
the plants will suffer. Any pruning— i. e., shortening of 
irregular growths, should be perfoimed after flower¬ 
ing; and when the plants have started fresh growth, 
repot, merely removing the old soil, disturbing the 
roots as little as possible, draining efficiently, and em¬ 
ploying a compost of turfy loam with a little leaf soil 
or thoroughly-decayed manure. Syringe overhead 
daily during growth, watering copiously, affording a 
light position to solidify the growth. Strong shoots 
often spring from the base. Stop them when a few 
inches high, or they will so appropriate the sap as to 
cause the old growths to die. The other growths must 
not be stopped, as the stronger they are the more pro¬ 
fuse and finer are the flowers. The accompanying spray, 
of which I have grown many such, indicates the at¬ 
tractive character of this Gardenia.—[G. Abbey, Jour¬ 
nal of Horticulture. 
