Verbena—This charming half-hardy perennial succeeds best in light, loamy soil It seeds freely, and roots rapidly by being pegged down It is usual to take the cuttings in February, as spring-struck plants prove best both for growth and flowering Place a score of cuttings in a 48-sized pot containing 1/3 of drainage material, covered with 1 in of rough leaf-mould, then filled to within 1-1/2 in of the rim with equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, or peat and sand, with 1/3 in of sand on the top Make the soil firm at the base of the cuttings, and water level It is, however, more easily obtained from seed raised on a gentle hotbed, and the plants thus raised are more robust and floriferous It flowers in July Height, 1 ft.

Polemonium (Jacob's Ladder)—Hardy perennial border plants of an ornamental character and of the easiest culture Any soil suits them, and they merely require sowing in the open either in spring or autumn P Richardsoni is most commonly met with, its blue flowers being produced in early autumn Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Lychnis—Hardy perennials which, though rather straggling, deserve to be cultivated on account of the brilliancy of their flowers L Chalcedonica, commonly known as Ragged Robin, is perhaps the most showy variety; but L Viscaria Plena, or Catchfly, is a very beautiful plant They grow freely in light, rich, loamy soil, but need dividing frequently to prevent them dwindling away The best season for this operation is early in spring Beyond the care that is needed to prevent the double varieties reverting to a single state, they merely require the same treatment as other hardy perennials They flower in June and July Height, 2 ft to 3 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.


Achimenes—Fine plants, suitable for the greenhouse, sitting-room, or hanging baskets Plant six tubers in a 5-in pot, with their growing ends inclining to the centre and the roots to the edge of the pot, and cover them an inch deep with a compost of peat, loam, and leaf-mould, or a light, sandy soil Keep them well supplied with liquid manure while in a growing state Height, 6 in to 2-1/2 ft.

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