Actinomeris Squarrosa—This hardy and ornamental herbaceous plant bears heads of bright yellow flowers, resembling small sunflowers, from June to August It thrives in any loamy soil, and is easily increased by dividing the root Height, 4 ft.

Phormium Tenax—A greenhouse herbaceous plant which succeeds best in rich loam It flowers in August, and may be propagated by dividing the roots Height, 3 ft.

Lobelia—These effective plants may be raised from seed sown in January or February in fine soil Sprinkle a little silver sand or very fine mould over the seed; place in a greenhouse, or in a frame having a slight bottom-heat, and when large enough prick them out about 1 in apart; afterwards put each single plant in a thumb-pot, and plant out at the end of May As the different varieties do not always come true from seed, it is best to propagate by means of cuttings taken in autumn, or take up the old plants before the frost gets to them, remove all the young shoots (those at the base of the plant are best, and if they have a little root attached to them so much the better), and plant them thinly in well-drained, shallow pans of leaf-mould and sand; plunge the pans in a hotbed under a frame, shade them from hot sunshine, and when they are rooted remove them to the greenhouse till spring, at which time growth must be encouraged by giving a higher temperature and frequent syringing They may then be planted out in.

Ageratum—Effective half-hardy annual bedding plants, thriving best in a light, rich soil Seed should be sown in heat in February or March Cuttings root freely under glass Height, 1-1/2 ft There is a dwarf variety suitable for ribbon borders and edgings Height, 6 in.


Aconite (Monk's-Hood or Wolf's-Bane)—Very pretty and very hardy, and succeeds under the shade of trees; but being very poisonous should not be grown where there are children Increased by division or by seeds Flowers June to July Height, 4 ft (See also "Winter Aconites").

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