It will grow in any decent soil, and can be propagated from seed sown in spring or autumn, or by division. Height, 6 ft.

Astragalus Hypoglottis.--A hardy deciduous trailing plant, producing purple flowers in July. Sow the seed early in spring on a moderate hotbed, and plant out into any garden soil. Height, 3 in.

Astragalus Lotoides.--This pretty little trailer is of the same height as A. Hypoglottis, and merely requires the same treatment. It flowers in August.

Astrantia.--This herbaceous plant is quite hardy, and will thrive in any good garden soil, producing its flowers in June and July. Seed may be sown either in autumn or spring. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Atragene Austriaca.--Handsome, hardy climbers, which may be grown in any garden soil. They flower in August, and are increased by layers or by cuttings under gla.s.s. Height, 8 ft.

Atriplex.--Straggling hardy annuals of very little beauty. Will grow in any soil if sown in spring, and only require ordinary attention.

Flower in July. Height, 5 ft.

Aubergine.--_See_ "Egg-Plant."

Aubrietia.--An early spring-blooming hardy perennial. Very ornamental either in the garden or on rock-work, the flowers lasting a long time.

An open and dry situation suits it best. May be readily raised from seed, and increased by dividing the roots or by cuttings under a gla.s.s. Flowers in March and April. Height 6 in.

Aucuba.--Hardy evergreen shrubs, some having blotched leaves. They look well standing alone on gra.s.s plots, and are indifferent to soil or position. Cuttings may be struck in any garden soil under a hand-gla.s.s in August, or by layers in April or May. When the male and female varieties are planted together, the latter produce an abundance of large red berries, rendering the plant very showy and ornamental.

They bloom in June. Height, 6 ft.

Auricula.--This is a species of primrose, and is sometimes called Bear's Ear from the shape of its leaves. It succeeds best in a mixture of loam and peat, or in four parts rotten loam, two parts rotten cow dung, and one part silver sand; delights in shade, and will not bear too much water. It makes an effective border to beds, and is readily propagated by off-sets taken early in autumn, or in February or March, by division of roots immediately after flowering, or from seed sown in March on gentle heat in firmly pressed light, rich soil, covered with a piece of gla.s.s and shaded from the sun till the plants are well up, when sun and air is needed. When large enough to handle, p.r.i.c.k them out in a cold frame 6 in. apart, and keep them there through the winter. Take care to press the soil well round the roots of off-sets.

October is a good time for making new borders. The half-hardy kinds require the protection of a house in winter. Height, 6 in.

Avena Sterilis.--A very singular hardy-annual ornamental gra.s.s, generally known as Animated Oats. Very useful in a green state for mixing with cut flowers. Sow in March or early in April. Height, 3 ft.

Azaleas (_Greenhouse_).--A good soil for these deciduous shrubs is made by mixing a fair quant.i.ty of silver sand with good fibrous peat.

The plants must never be allowed to become too wet nor too dry, and must be shaded from excessive sunshine. After they have flowered remove the remains of the blooms, place the plants out of doors in the sun to ripen the wood, or in a temperature of 60 degrees or 65 degrees, and syringe them freely twice a day. If they require shifting, it must be done directly the flowers have fallen. Cuttings taken off close to the plant will root in sand under a gla.s.s placed in heat. A. Indica is a plant of great beauty. Stand it in the open air in summer, in a partially shaded position. In winter remove it to a cool part of the greenhouse. The hardy varieties should receive the same treatment as rhododendrons. Flowers in June. Height, 4 ft.

Azara Microphylla--This hardy evergreen shrub, with its fan-like branches and small dark, glossy leaves, is very ornamental and sweet-scented. It is increased by placing cuttings of ripened wood in sand under gla.s.s with a little heat. Height, 3 ft.

B

Babianas.--Charming, sweet-scented flowers, suitable for either pot cultivation or the border. In August or September place five bulbs in a well-drained 5-in. pot, using rich, light, very sandy soil; cover them completely, and press the mould down gently. Water very sparingly until the roots are well formed; indeed, if the soil is moist when the bulbs are planted, no water will be needed till the new growth appears above ground. Stand the pots in ashes and cover them with 3 in. of cocoa-nut fibre. When the flower spikes are formed, give weak liquid manure twice a week till the flowers open. Keep them in a temperature of 55 degrees. When the foliage begins to die down gradually, lessen the amount of moisture given. The bulbs while dormant are best left in the pots. For cultivation in the open, choose a warm situation, make the soil light and sandy, adding a good proportion of well-rotted manure, and plant the bulbs 5 in. deep either in autumn or spring.

Height, 6 in. to 9 in.

Bahia Lanata.--A hardy herbaceous plant of easy culture from seed sown in spring or autumn in any garden soil. It produces bright orange flowers from June to August. Height, 1 ft.

Bahia Trolliifolia.--This hardy herbaceous perennial will grow in any kind of soil. It flowers in August, and can be increased by division.

Height, 1 ft.

Balsams.--The seeds of these tender annuals require to be sown in early spring in a hot-house or a warm frame having a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees. When 2 or 3 in. high, or large enough to handle, p.r.i.c.k off singly into small pots, shade them till they are established, and re-pot as they advance in strength in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, sand, and old manure. Give them air when the weather is favourable.

The last shift should be into 24-sized pots. Supply them with an abundance of liquid manure, admit as much air as possible, and syringe freely. They must never be allowed to get dry. Secure their stems firmly to sticks. They will flower in the open early in September.

Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Bambusa.--The dwarf-growing Bamboos Fortunei variegata and Viridi-striata make graceful edgings to borders or paths. The whole family like a rich, loamy, damp soil.

Baneberry.--_See_ "Actaea."

Baptisia Australis.--This ornamental hardy perennial makes a good border plant, growing in any loamy soil, and producing its blue flowers in June and July. It can be multiplied by dividing the root.

Height, 3 ft.

Barbarea.--_See_ "Rocket."

Barberries.--Very ornamental hardy shrubs, bearing rich yellow flowers in spring and attractive fruit in the autumn. Most handsome when trained to a single stem and the head allowed to expand freely. They are not particular as to soil, but prefer a rather light one, and succeed best in a moist, shady situation. Cuttings or layers root freely in the open. They require very little attention, beyond occasionally cutting away some of the old branches to make room for new growth. Height, 1-1/2 ft. to 2 ft.

Bartonia aurea.--Beautiful hardy annuals, the flowers of which open at night and effuse a delightful odour. Sow the seed in autumn on a gentle hotbed; pot off, and protect in a greenhouse during the winter.

Plant them out in the open in May, where they will flower in June.

Height, 1-1/2 ft.

Bay, Sweet _(Laurus n.o.bilis_).--This half-hardy evergreen shrub likes a sheltered position. Protection from severe frosts is requisite, especially while it is young. It is more suitable as an isolated specimen plant than for the border. Increased by layers or by cuttings of the roots.

Beans, Broad.--A deep, strong loam is most suitable, but good crops can be obtained from any garden soil. The first sowing should be made in February or March, and in succession to May. A sowing of Beck's Green Gem or Dwarf Fan may even be made in November in rows 2 ft.

apart. Other varieties should be planted in rows 3 ft. apart, sowing the seed 3 in. deep and at intervals of 6 in. When the plants have done flowering pinch off the tops, to ensure a better crop; and if the black fly has attacked them, take off the tops low enough down to remove the pests, and burn them at once. Seville Longpod and Aquadulce may be recommended for an early crop, and Johnson's Wonderful and Harlington Windsor for a main one.

Beans, French.--The soil should be dug over to a depth of at least 12 in. and liberally enriched with manure. In the open ground the first sowing may be made about the third week in April, another sowing early in May, and subsequent sowings for succession every two or three weeks until the end of July. Plant in rows 2 ft apart, and the seeds 6 to 9 in. apart in the rows. A sharp look-out ought to be kept for slugs, which are very partial to French Beans when pushing through the soil.

For forcing, sow in pots under gla.s.s from December to March.

Beans, Runner.--These are not particular as to position or soil, but the best results are obtained by placing them in a deep rich mould where they can get a fair amount of sunlight. Sow, from the second week in May until the first week in July for succession, in rows 6 ft.

apart, thinning the plants out to 1 ft. apart in the rows. Protect from slugs when the plants are coming through the ground, and support them with sticks immediately the growth begins to run. Scarlet Runners may be kept dwarf by pinching off the tops when the plants are about 1 ft. high, and nipping off the subsequent shoots when 6 in. long.

Beet.--Land that has been well manured for the previous crop is the best on which to obtain well-shaped roots of high quality. Sow in April and May in drills 18 in. apart, and thin out the plants to about 9 in. apart. Take up for use as wanted until November, when the whole crop should be taken up and stored in dry sand, and in a place where neither moisture nor frost can reach them. When storing them cut off the tails and some portion of the crowns, but be careful not to wound any part of the fleshy root.

Begonias.--A somewhat succulent genus of conservatory plants. They all require a very rich loamy soil containing a little sand; and heat, moisture, and shade are essential to their health. Cuttings 2 or 3 in.

long will root readily in spring or summer. Stand the cuttings in the shade and do not over-water them; or they may be raised from seed sown in March in a hot-house or frame having a temperature of 65 degrees.

Height, 1 ft. to 3 ft.

Tuberous Begonias should be planted in small pots placed in heat, early in spring, and at intervals of a fortnight for succession, using a compost of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand. Press the soil rather firmly so as to promote st.u.r.dy growth, and only just cover the top of the tuber. Water moderately till the plants begin to grow freely. Gradually harden off, and plant out the last week in May or early in June, or shift into larger pots for conservatory decoration. Cuttings may be taken in April. The plants may also be raised from seed sown in February or March in a temperature of 65 degrees. Before sowing mix the seed with silver sand, then sprinkle it evenly over a box or pan of moist, fine, light loam and silver sand; cover with a sheet of gla.s.s, and keep shaded. Transplant into small pots, and pot on from time to time as the plants increase in size.

Plants so treated will flower in June or July. When the leaves of the old plants turn yellow keep the roots quite dry, afterwards turn them out of the pots and bury them in cocoa-nut fibre till January, when they must be re-potted.

Belladonna Lily.--_See_ "Amaryllis."

Bellis Perennis.--_See_ "Daisies."

Benthamia.--An ornamental half-hardy shrub. A profuse bloomer, the flowers of which are followed by edible strawberry-like fruit. Will succeed in any good garden against a south wall. Easily raised from seed or by layers. Flowers in August. Height, 3 ft.

Berberidopsis Corallina.--Distinct and very pretty evergreen climbing shrubs, which prove hardy in the south and west, but need protection in other places. They are not particular as to soil, and may be increased by cuttings.

Bergamot _(Monardia Didyma_).--This hardy perennial will grow almost anywhere, and may be increased by seed or by division of the root. It flowers in _July_. Height, 4 ft.

Beta Cicla.--A hardy annual which succeeds in any common soil. Its dark crimson and yellow flowers are borne in August. Height, 6 ft. It is used as spinach. In Germany the midrib of the leaf is boiled and eaten with gravy or melted b.u.t.ter.

Betonica.--_See_ "Stachys."

Biennials.--These plants take two years to flower, and then they die away altogether. The seed of the hardy varieties is sown thinly in the open border any time between April and June, and the plants transferred in the autumn to the place where they are intended to bloom. Seed is also sown in August and September for flowering the following year. The half-hardy kinds may be sown in May or June. These require protection during winter, such as is afforded by a cold pit, frame, or greenhouse, or the covering of a mat or litter.

Bignonia _(Trumpet Flower_).--This is admirably suitable for a south wall, but it requires plenty of room. It is propagated by cuttings placed in sand, or by cuttings of the root. These should be planted out in the spring, or autumn will do if they are covered with a hand-gla.s.s.