Adenophora Lilifolia—Pretty hardy perennials suitable for the border Produce drooping pale blue flowers on branching spikes in July Any soil suits them They may be grown from seed, but will not allow being divided at the root Height, 1 ft.

Some perennials, such as Pinks, Carnations, Saxifrages, etc, do not die down, but retain their leaves These are called evergreen perennials.

Martynia—Handsome half-hardy, fragrant annuals The seed should be sown on a hotbed in March When the plants are sufficiently advanced transplant them singly into pots of light, rich earth, and keep them in the stove or greenhouse, where they will flower in June Height, 1½ ft.

Waitzia—Very beautiful half-hardy annuals, but more suitable for the greenhouse than the open flower-bed They require a sandy peat and leaf-mould, and the pots to be well drained, as too much water is as destructive to them as too little They may be had in flower from May to August by making two sowings, one in September and the other in February, and keeping them in the greenhouse When large enough to handle, pot off into 3-in pots, putting two plants in each pot close to the sides, and shift them into larger ones when they have made sufficient growth Place them in a dry and airy situation and near the glass They are unable to stand the least frost, therefore, if they are planted out, it should not be done before the beginning of June Height, 1½ ft.


Abies (Spruce Firs)—Among these ornamental conifers mention may be made of the beautiful Japanese Spruce Ajanensis, which grows freely in most soils and has dual-coloured leaves—dark green on the upper surface and silvery white underneath; this makes a grand single specimen anywhere The White Spruce (Abies Alba Glauca) is a rapid grower, but while it is small makes a lovely show in the border; it prefers a moist situation Of the slow-growing and dwarf varieties Gregorii is a favourite The Caerulea, or Blue Spruce, is also very beautiful Clanbrasiliana is a good lawn shrub, never exceeding 4 ft in height The Pigmy Spruce (A Pygmea) is the smallest of all firs, only attaining the height of 1 ft Any of these may be increased by cuttings.

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