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
glass. Flowers in March and April. Height 6 in.
Aucuba.--Hardy evergreen shrubs, some having blotched leaves. They
look well standing alone on grass plots, and are indifferent to
soil or position. Cuttings may be struck in any garden soil under a
hand-glass 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 glass and shaded from the sun till the plants are well up,
when sun and air is needed. When large enough to handle, prick 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 grass,
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 quantity 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 glass 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 glass 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, prick
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.