Agapanthus (African Lily)—This is a noble plant, which succeeds well in the open if placed in a rich, deep, moist loam in a sunny situation or in partial shade In pots it requires a strong loamy soil with plenty of manure Throughout the summer the pots should stand in pans of water Re-pot in March Give it plenty of pot room, say a 9-in pot for each plant In winter protect from severe frost, and give but very little water The flowers are both lovely and showy, being produced during August in great bunches on stems 3 ft high The plant is nearly hardy Several growing together in a large tub produce a fine effect It is increased by dividing the root while in a dormant state.

Pimpernel—See "Anagallis".

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.

Witch Hazel—See "Hamamelis".


Althea—See "Hibiscus".

<RSS-FEED>