Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-02

out the season.
One OF the finest plants for culture
either in the open ground or In pots is
the Spiraea Anthony Waterer. II is a
hardy plant, and can be used 10 adVah-
tage for permanent bedding or Tor eosihS
clusters of hardy shrubs. 1t rarely grows
more than a foot high, is bushy in form,
and from early summer until frost is
covered with fiat clusters OF beautiful
rich crimson flowers. IL is gem among
towering plants, and is destined 10 be-
come as popular for growing in pots or
tubs as for culture in the open ground.
An unequalled display for city grounds,
where the culture of plants was con-
fined TO pots. would be one very large
pot or tub filled with these plants-the
brtlliancy Of bloom would be all needed
in limited space.
In the Gamma we have one OF the pest
of that desirable combination, beautliul
blossoms and attractive foliage. The inn
prCvement in varieties OF this plant mas
been so great OF late that we are now
able to obtain plants which, according
20 variety, will grow from two and hair
feet TO eight feet high thus giving US
opportunity for gorgeous displays on
large grounds, a selection OF choice va
rieties for smaller grounds or for pots ana
boxes. The plants may be set out any
time during May or June, and require
deep, rich soil 10 sustain the heavy growth
of foliage and to bring out the beauty or
the blossoms. The culture of the Gamma
is simple, as il requires only the rich SOIL
referred TO- and the ordinary care as 10
watering and keeping the top soil loose
and friabe about the plants. Inc u.s.
of varieties Is so large and the majority
OF them so desirable that we refer the IN
terested reader to the catalogues or va
rious plantsmen for selection, simply
suggesting that you bear in mind that
the dwarf sorts, those growing not more
than three feet high, are most suitable
for boxes, tubs. or vases, and should De
used only as centre plants when so SET
out, bordered with some such low-growlns
plants az lobelia, ageratum, geraniuh, OF
coeus. Additions, popularity known as
towering naples from the resemblance
of the leaf TO the leaf of the maple-tree,
are desirable for culture in the Open
ground. in pots or vases, out OF doors
or IN pots i'm the window garden or con-
servatory during the winter Many or
the varieties are strihngly marked on the
foliage and the flowers OF all are eA-
ceedingly attractive ranging, according
to variety, from pure white 10 deepest
red The dwarf varieties are a distinct
class. and grow but eighteen inches hlSh'
hut bloom profusely throughout the sea-
son. the dwarf varieties are particularly
desirable for edges of beds containing
tall plants or for growing In boxes with
some very low-growing plant SUCH as
sweet alyssum or thunderbergia along
the edge The taller varieties are oe-
sirable pot plants by themselves anu
would make satisfactory display, pc
sides being easily cared Tor. Inc plants
require good soil to do well, Dut succeed
both N sun and shade, II the lat'er 10
not TOO dense.
Crotons and dracaenas are much used
for centre plants in pots, vases, and TUBS
and are grand plants for that purpose
as well as for pot-plants in the WINDOW
Garden during the winter. Many plant
overs have overlooked the good points
OF the Pandanus utilis, which is much bet
ter suited TO stand the neglect, the WIND
and the dust OF summer than any other
plant used for the purpose or a centre
plant its habit OF growth is more erect
than the dracaena, although the leaves
are somewhat pendulous.
In the minds OF many paper on sum
mer lowering plants would scarcely De
complete without a mention of that most
popular Of all towering plants the rose
and yet while we fully appreciate the
beauty Of that flower, we would not
it for culture except on !
so located that the plants may |
have the benefit OF full sunlight air. !
water. care, ana good soil. Under such |
conditions by all means have bed or
border Of roses. For small grounds, ana |
In towns and cities and In the |
hands OF the novice, the class OF roses |
xnown as polyantha or fairy roses VIII |
dive great satisfaction. The varieties !
IRE OF dwarf habit and bloom continuously |
throughout the summer. The blossoms |
are borne in clusters. and frequently as
many as a hundred flowers on each clus-
er. the individual blossoms being about
an inch and a half across. In the iau- |
ude of New York the plants are hardy !
With a slight protection OF leaves or other !
material during the winter. They re- /
,uire only fair soil. plenty OF sunlight /
md water, and are remarkably free from 1
he attacks OF disease and insects. The !
,arieties are pure white, golden. yellow, |
ght. or dark pink, and flesh pink. They |
viii do nicely in boxes or pots by them !
selves. ard under good care VIII socn |
over a pot of large size, and bloom pro-
usely.
The plants written OF by no means /
over the list OF desirable sorts. but the |
ist Is sufficiently extensive 10 enable the |
eader 70 make a selection which will |
dive him or her much pleasure.
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