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nee ‘ 
—me: 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
July 1, 1908 
p> =e) Se —) 3 All the leading varieties, half-standards, Is. each 
E“wun it "Trees 3 Orange, Lemon, Peach, Apple, Pear, }?luin, etc 
HARDY SHRUBS, Trees, Climbers, etc. 
BULBS, Hyacinth, 
SskzEDS 
Gladiolus. 
Daffodil, Anemone, Tuberose, 
3 Vegetable and Flower. Agricultural, Horticultural Sundries in great variet.y 
E. & W. HACKETT, " | 
en Seedsmen, Nurserymen, &c., 
73 Rundle Street, Adelaide. 
eae... 
SALPIGLOSSIS VARIABILIS GRANDIFLORA. _ 
The Abutilon. 
[By J. Cronin. ] 
The species and varieties of Abutilon 
_ cultivated in gardens are evergreen shrubs. 
‘The genus also includes herbs or annuals 
_ that are of botanical interest. The habitat 
of the majority of Abutilous is Brazil and 
adjacent parts of South America, a few 
species being found native in Central and 
North America, and Australia. The name 
that the abutilon is commonly known by 
—the Chinese lantern fower—would sug- 
gest the occurre:.ce of the g-nus in China 
or other Asiatic countries, but it is on 
aceouut of the resemblance of the floweis — 
of some of the species to the well-known 
Chinese lanterns that the popular name 
is due. — EE rere ed 
Many of the abutilous are highly orna-— 
_ mental shrubs, varying from four to eight 
-or ten feet in height ; the foliage in some 
The Flower Gar‘den. i 
of the spezies and garden raised varieties 
is distinctiy palmate in character, the 
flowers, borne on long slender stalks, being 
bell shaped and pendulous or drooping. In 
-many instances the hybrid varieties are 
a distinct improvement on the original 
species in habit of growth, sizo and sub- 
stance of blooms; the coloring of the — 
blooms is also more varied and beantiful. 
_ The genus now includes kinds and varieties 
that produce flowers of shades of orange, 
yellow, red, pink, rose. and white; many 
are distinctly veined or marked with other 
shades of color, With many kinds the 
foliage is their principal value in schemes 
of border decoration, being beautifully 
variegated. Abutilons are hardy in most 
parts of the State and being of easy 
culture are worthy of much more care 
and attention, and extensive planting. 
They are well suited for planting in large 
groups or borders as specimens or sub- 
- shrubs, endure a deal of drought, and 
provide a fine effect when well estab- 
lished. 
CULTURE. 
The soil most suitable is a rather light 
loam, well drained, and moderately man- 
ured, Abutilons, however, will thrive fairly 
in most garden soils where the ordinary 
routine phases of cultivation that make 
up fair management are practised, Ex- 
cessive manuring, or excessive watering 
when the soil is rich, will promote rink 
growth that will fail to bloom satisfac- 
torily, and, in the case of the variegated 
forms, cause them to revert to the green. 
They are also accommodating in regard | 
to position, and may be planted with a 
prospect of success in any aspect except- 
ing those excessively wind-swept. Plants 
may be set out from pots at any time 
during the season of active growth, spring 
or early autumn being preferable. They 
will require to be watered during dry hot 
overtake them. 
Telephone 350 
weather until established, and will benefit — 
by the application of a mulch if the con- 
ditions are severe. 
Pruning is necessary to ensure well- 
balanced plants. When young plants are 
being formed praning consists mainly ia 
pinching, or lightly topping, any shoots 
of excessive vigor, The object is tu check 
these and permit the weaker shoots to 
Whea the plants are 
formed they ocvasionally become crowded 
in the centre. A moderate amount of — 
thinning is required so that light aud air 
are admitted to all parts of the. plants. 
Old plants are liable tv become tall and 
‘straggling in habit and should be pruned 
in winter, cutting the shoots well back. 
The result-on healthy plants is tho pro- 
duc‘ion of vigorous yrowth that requires 
to be regulated as in the case of the 
young plant. ‘ 
Abutilons are propagated from cuttings 
and seeds Cuttings of the young shoots. 
inserted in pots of sandy soil, and placed 
in a cold frame, root readily. When the 
cuttinzs are rooted they should be potted, 
and, when established, planted out. Such 
plants are not likely to receive much check 
by the transplanting and with a little 
care in pruning usually develop into nice. 
specimens. Cuttings af tho strong shoots 
will also root readily in the open ground 
