February  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
1G3 
CAMPANULA  GRANDIFLOPA  PUMILA. 
The  stately  perennial  which  is  variously  known  as  Platycodon  or 
Campanula  grandiflora  is  a  favourite  occupant  of  many  gardens,  its 
large,  open,  deep  blue  flowers  being  produced  most  freely.  This  and 
some  of  its  varieties  reach  the  height  of  2  or  3  feet,  and  therefore 
either  require  permanent  corners  and  similar  sites,  or  they  must  be 
placed  behind  other  dwarf-growing  border  plants.  A  variety  possess¬ 
ing  all  the  good  qualities  of  the  ordinary  C.  grandiflora,  but  with  a 
considerably  dwarfer  habit,  is  that  represented  in  the  woodcut 
(fig.  42),  C.  grandiflora  pumila.  This  grows  9  to  12  inches  high^ 
produces  flowers  similar  to  the  type  in  size  and  colour,  and  forms 
a  beautiful  specimen,  as  it  soon  becomes  covered  with  flowers.  The 
plant  is  well  ada.pted  for  culture  in  pots  also,  and  is  readily  in¬ 
creased  by  seeds.  Any  ordinary  garden  soil  that  is  not  excessively 
heavy  or  wet  suits  it. 
FLOWERING  PLANTS  FROM  SEED. 
Ehodanthes. 
These  half-hardy  annuals  are  of  an  exceptionally  showy  character 
as  pot  plants  for  conservatory  decoration  in  early  summer.  They  are 
raised  from  seeds,  which  can  be  sown  in  the  pots  in  which  the  plants 
are  intended  to  flower,  or  the  seedlings  may  be  transplanted  into  the 
flowering  sizes.  Five-inch  pots  are  the  most  suitable.  In  preparing 
these  place  liberal  drainage  at  the  base,  and  cover  with  moss  or  some 
fibrous  material.  The  compost  should  be  light  and  rich,  and  formed 
of  equal  parts  of  peat,  loam,  and  leaf  soil,  with  a  little  decayed  manure 
and  coarse  sand.  Fill  the  pots  to  within  half  an  inch  of  the  rim.  Press 
smoothly,  giving  a  gentle  watering.  When  drained  sow  the  seeds 
equally  over  the  surface  half  an  inch  apart,  and  cover  with  a  layer  of 
fine  compost.  A  little  gentle  heat  will  assist  germination,  and  after 
the  seedlings  have  pushed  through  the  soil  transfer  to  a  shelf  near  the 
glass  in  a  warm  structure  so  as  to  encourage  unchecked  growth.  The 
seedlings  ought,  however,  to  be  gradually  thinned  to  an  inch  apart. 
By  the  time  the  seedlings  have  attained  a  height  of  6  inches,  four 
neat  stakes  may  be  inserted  at  equal  distances  round  the  edge  of  pot, 
to  which  strands  of  matting  should  be  attached  for  the  support  of  the 
plants.  Weak  liquid  manure  will  be  an  encouragement  to  growth, 
giving  clear  water  as  necessary.  Still  keep  the  plants  on  an  airy  shelf 
in  the  greenhouse.  The  individual  plants  are  of  slender  growth,  but  in 
the  aggregate  produce  a  creditable  display  of  bloom. 
Verbenas. 
Verbenas  are  attractive  bedding  plants,  and,  though  frequently 
perpetuated  by  cuttings  from  year  to  year,  may  be  quite  as  readily 
propagated  from  seeds.  Plants  raised  from  cuttings  are  probably  less 
vigorous,  which  is  an  advantage  as  regards  flowering,  but  seedlings 
given  plenty  of  room  and  not  over-rich  soil,  may  be  expected  to  flower 
well.  The  chief  colours  in  Verbenas  are  scarlet,  blue,  and  white.  A 
mixed  packet  of  seeds  of  a  reliable  strain  will  produce  these  colours  in 
good  proportion.  Prepare  well-drained  pans  and  fill  them  with  a 
compost  of  sandy  light  soil.  Smooth  the  surface  and  give  a  gentle 
watering  with  tepid  water.  Sow  the  seeds  thinly,  covering  them  with  a 
layer  of  fine  soil,  which  may  be  dredged  through  a  fine  sieve.  Press  it 
down  smoothly,  then  place  the  pan  in  a  brisk  heat  of  65°.  Shade  with 
glass  and  paper  to  maintain  uniform  moisture  in  the  soil  without  the 
inconvenient  recourse  to  watering  before  the  seeds  germinate.  When 
the  third  leaf  is  formed  on  the  seedlings  transfer  them  to  boxes  of 
similar  soil  1^  inch  apart,  and  place  near  the  glass  to  grow  and 
strengthen.  A  further  transplanting  of  the  seedlings  will  be  no 
detriment,  but  an  advantage.  Top  those  frequently  that  grow  vigorously, 
as  some  seedlings  are  likely  to  do.  Plant  out  in  their  flowering  positions 
in  beds  at  the  end  of  May. 
Carnations. 
Carnations  are  amongst  the  most  popular  of  plants,  and  in  addition 
to  growing  them  from  layers  and  cuttings,  an  interesting  collection 
may  be  produced  from  seeds.  The  early  flowering  section  repre¬ 
sented  by  Marguerite  Carnations  respond  most  readily  to  this  method 
of  propagation  by  flowering  the  same  year  as  sown.  The  ordinary 
Carnations  may  also  be  grown  from  seeds,  but  they,  should  be  sown 
in  summer  for  flowering  the  following  year.  The  Marguerite  Carna¬ 
tions  do  not  possess  the  qualities  of  the  best  named  varieties,  but 
they  are,  nevertheless,  extremely  useful  for  a  variety  of  purposes. 
They  usually  commence  to  bloom  in  August,  and  continue  doing  so 
until  frost  stops  them.  The  range  of  colour  is  wide,  the  flowers 
being  mostly  self-coloured,  and  they  compare  favourably  in  size  to 
some  of  the  choicer  varieties  of  Carnations. 
To  obtain  good  plants  which  will  produce  a  quantity  of  bloom  seeds 
should  be  sown  in  February  or  early  March.  They  may  be  sown  in  a 
pot  or  shallow  seed  pan,  well  draining  the  receptacle  and  covering  the 
drainage  with  some  of  the  rougher  parts  of  the  compost.  This  need 
not  be  of  an  elaborate  character,  but  a  simple  porous  mixture  of 
good  loam  and  leaf  soil  free  from  worms,  with  silver  sand  mixed  in. 
Fill  the  pot  or  pan  to  within  an  inch  of  the  rim,  pressing  the  compost 
gently  down,  and  leave  the  surface  smooth.  Afford  a  supply  of  water 
through  a  rosed  can,  so  that  moisture  is  fully  insured.  When  well 
drained  sow  the  seeds  on  the  surface,  covering  by  dredging  fine  soil 
upon  it.  Flatten  the  soil  with  the  base  of  a  small  pot.  Place  in  a 
temperature  of  60°,  covering  the  pot  or  pan  with  glass  and  paper  as  a 
safeguard  against  undue  evaporation.  If  stood  on  a  moist  warm  base 
little  or  no  water  ought  to  be  required  until  the  seeds  germinate. 
Admit  light  and  air  when  the  seedlings  push  through  the  surface,  and 
increase  gradually  until  the  glass  is  entirely  removed.  Then  stand  the 
pot  on  a  shelf  close  to  the  glass  in  order  to  prevent  the  stems  of  the 
seedlings  elongating  and  weakening  the  plants. 
This  treatment  is  continued  for  a  few  weeks,  giving  water  as 
necessary,  until  the  seedlings  are  of  a  sufficient  strength  to  be  pricked 
out  in  fresh  soil.  This  must  be  placed  in  boxes,  having  some  drainage- 
at  the  bottom,  and  be  filled  with  soil  similar  in  composition  to  that 
Fig.  42. — Campanula  grandiflora  pumila. 
used  for  sowing,  but  a  little  rougher  in  character.  It  is,  however,  no 
hard  and  fast  rule  to  use  boxes,  a  bed  made  similarly  in  a  frame  on 
half-spent  hotbed  is  an  admirable  place  for  the  seedlings.  Prick  them 
out  2  inches  apart,  sinking  them  to  the  lower  leaves.  Under  the  influ. 
ence  of  warmth  and  moisture,  by  keeping  them  in  a  rather  confined 
atmosphere  at  first,  the  seedlings  will  soon  root  freely  and  grow  strongly. 
Afford  plenty  of  light,  but  prevent  strong  sunshine  distressing  them. 
As  they  become  established,  give  increasing  supplies  of  air,  and  less 
heat  if  the  boxes  are  stood  in  a  warm  house.  The  conditions  in  a  frame 
must  be  regulated  by  the  supply  of  air.  Glive  adequate  quantities  of 
water,  but  avoid  overwatering,  which  will  prevent  the  steady  progress 
so  desirable.  Early  in  June  the  plants  will  be  ready  for  planting  out  in 
a  bed  of  fertile  soil  in  an  open  position.  The  ground  is  best  prepared  by 
deep  digging  and  breaking  up  the  subsoil,  adding  material  of  a  light 
character,  such  as  potting  soil  and  leaf  mould,  rather  than  rank 
manures.  Strong  plants  may  be  placed  a  foot  apart,  weaker  a  little 
closer.  The  space  between  renders  hoeing  and  weeding  more  readily 
