Erysimum Peroffskianum. Open Clintonia Elegans and Pulchiella. border. Browallia Elata. Frame or border. Calendula Officinalis. Open border. Callirha Pedata. Frame, in pot. Four O'Clocks. Open border. Open border. Perilla Nankinensis. Frame or border. Helichrysum, in variety. Frame Collinsia, in variety. Open border. Scabiosa Atropurpurea. Open bor- Silene or Catchfly. Open border. or border. Linum Grandiflorum. Frame in pot. Petunia, in variety. Frame. The following are climbing annuals, adapted for covering walls or trellises. They should all, except the Ipomeas, be started in pots, in the frame, and turned out into the border about the first of May. IPOMEA QUAMOCLIT is the pretty, graceful cypress vine. The seed vegetates with difficulty. Delay planting until about the first of June, then choose a very hot noon. Plant the seed where it is to stand, in a large circle, so a pole may be set in the centre, and strings led to the top from the plant, for this is the prettiest way of growing it. Then take a large water-pot full of boiling water and water the seed. Under this treatment it will often come up in twenty-four hours. Tropaeolum (Nasturtium). Open border. Thunbergia. Frame in pot. Maurandia. Frame in pot. Loasa Lateritia. Frame in pot. Ipomea. Open border. Convolvulus Major (Morning Glory.) Open border. Cobea Scandens. Frame in pot. Cardiospermum (Balloon Vine). Open border. Adlumia Cirrhosa (Mountain Fringe, or Traveller's Joy). Open border. CHAPTER XXIV. BEDDING PLANTS. Propagation. Gazania. Verbena. Lantana.- Heliotrope. Calceola rias.-Geraniums. - Petunias. - Cuphea. - Feverfew. - Nierembergia. S COMMONLY used, this general term is given to plants which are winter inhabitants of the green-house, but which, if planted in the garden, bloom profusely all summer. They are generally green-house perennials, but among them are included many plants which bloom late in the summer, from seed sown the same spring, and of which fine varieties are propagated by cuttings. As examples, we may mention petunias and verbenas. The treatment of these plants is very simple; about the middle of May turn them out into the flower garden; they will grow finely, and give profuse bloom. In August take off cuttings, and root them in the green-house, or in a frame for your winter's stock, unless you wish to preserve the old plants; if so, leave them in the garden until just before the frost comes; then pot them, and winter in the green-house, parlor, or conservatory. It is, however, always a good plan to have a stock of summer cuttings. Some species, as Scarlet Geraniums, Erythrinas, &c., are wintered in a dry state in a cellar, secure from frost, and again set out in the spring. We describe a few of the principal plants coming under this head: GAZANIA SPLENDENS. During the past season this plant has attracted considerable attention as a new and desirable bedding plant. Its recommendations are, its small size, the brilliancy and number of its flowers, and the rich contrasts of color; it is also a plant of easy growth, and small plants soon become vigorous specimens. The colors are rich orange yellow, a circle of black, banded and mottled with white and brown or chocolate at the base of the petals, the centre a reddish orange; foliage dark green. In form, the flower somewhat resembles a small sunflower, or chrysanthemum. The present variety somewhat resembles the old G. uniflora, differing from it in its dwarf habit and compact growth; the branches are sometimes erect, but bend down with the weight of the flowers. The contrast of the orange yellow, black, white, and chocolate in the flower, produces a most brilliant effect. The culture of this plant is very simple; it will do well in almost any soil, and produces flowers in profusion, from early spring until late in the autumn. It is not dried up by the heat of summer, or affected by atmospheric changes, but flowers throughout the season, closing its splendid flowers during the night, and opening them during the day. It is well adapted for pot culture; its growth is vigorous as well as neat and clean, and it is not subject to the attacks of red spider and other troublesome insects. There are about forty species of the Gazania, of which most are unknown to our gardens; all are natives of the Cape of Good Hope. As a bedding plant, this variety is invaluable; plant in early spring, and take up just before the first frost. VERBENA. We have treated so fully of this plant on previous pages that further mention is unnecessary. As |