The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-10-10
Ornamental-Leaved Plants.

have great many inquiries III my CORE
spondence for descriptions of desirable orna-
mental-leaved plants for the house in winter
for some people, like myself, admire the con-
trasts between the various hues which our
flowers, with proper care, will give us in the
winter, and the handsome foliage of some
plants which produce few or no flowers. In
giving the names of these plants / shall be
governed by the voice of my friends, one of
whom seems to be constantly logging nv men,
DRY with "Give us the English names, please,
for then we will all understand YOU" During
my greenhouse experience | was so much ac-
customed TO the Latin names they are much
more familiar 10 me, so if l do make all I'M
Intentional slip sometimes, just imagine you
are III the greenhouse talking with me-
Now, which of these ornamental-leaved
plants shall rank the best? Well, that would
be a difficult thing, writing as l am doing for
so many people of different tastes. Speaking
personally, very much admire the Begonias
of the Rex varieties. The leaves are covered
with peculiar metallic gloss; sometimes they
are dark green with pink center, edged with
silver, and are really very handsome plants
They are litIle peculiar in their habits will
not bear water on their leaves, although they
like abundance on their roots, neither do they
like removal from one place to another Let
them have permanent position, say in the
middle of the window garden. Moist, damp
atmosphere suits them best, and the leaves
must be carefully guarded from dust
Probably next TO the Rex Begona in popular
estimation are the fancy foliage Geraniums.
Though have seen most of tie new Gerani-
ums introduced i'll the last decade, cannot call
TO mind one more beautifully marked in the TO-
liage than the Mrs Pollock and some few 9TH
ers OF the same type. The ground color OF the
leaf Is deep green, next to that comes a band
of crimson, then another zone of green, the
edging being clear yellow. In some well grown
specimens the markings are very distinct, and
even more Of them than the above, which is
given from a small plant now on my desk
as / write AS an ornamental plant for the
parlor nothing vet exceis this class of hand
some foliage Ger4niums. Happy Thoughts an
other desirable Geranium IL differs from the
ordinary form of foliage in having large yell
low blotch i'll the center of the leaf, which is
margined with green. Mountain of Snow is
silver edged sort of very vigorous growth and
an abundant boomer GeraDiums need plenty
of light and abundant space between the pots
10 spread themselves; they are very accommo-
dating. howevtr, and will grow for almost any
body. Alternantheras are good e-plants,
with beautiful variegaed foliage, growing
about six inches high The leaves are tinted
with many bright colors, crimson tints predom-
mating, in every conceivable manner. They
are of easy growth and we'll adapted for win
dow garden. Coleus are deservedly popular
plants of which there are so many handsome
and Multicolor / grew this summer, and
thought them very handsome but even finer
specimens have been produced, about which
j shall speak at some other time, as they are
not vet in general cultivation.
DTac1nas, OF Dragon Trees, are very orna-
mental leaved plants. The foliage runs from
dark green to dark crimson. Unlike some
plants this is benefited by frequent reporting.
making the color of the leaves more lasting.
Farfugium has thick, leathery-looking leaves,
blotched with yellow spots / have one very
large, thrifty specimen. Smilax has such pretty,
graceful foliage must include it in this list
l would not be without it in my kindergarten
in winter. II will either climb or droop as re-
quired, and, OH account of its wavy forma-
ton, is one of The best plants for
vases or hanging baskets. l have been sue
cessful this summer in raising some from seed
Some plants have pure white leaves, such as
Cineraria Martina, Glauciums, Gnaphaliums
and others They are desirable by way of con-
trast to the gorgeous colorings and wonderful
markings of Crotons and Marantas.
The above are only few Of the handsome
foliage plants which am acquainted with, yet
they are such as any amateur may grow in the
window and be successful with.
HINsDALE, Dupage Co., Ill. Mr.. RESNIE.