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Hi ' ^fK y |ffi m s«*^fi^ ■i''.^f#i; ,i. .^.:*ife^^. ^;is^>-j.- ■'^m ' ' ■^~-r" «-*«.*i.. ...A,-.. - '.•■'■ ^A- ■"*-»-~j^^ — ■*"*'"■ •«»«fcf :in ptiit of ^^^'"^^^ ^'^A'aiin«!n, aaicleon- Proit' ft Omaniental Trees, Wowwring Shrubs, ttwli^l^,: Vines, **™^"*eiry Pilate, ^« two ^it «tft!«p$ for po^ ■f-?*'* ' ^■,'?''t' .: Ji?*k ; ^^r^ » * soir, — in,; * 1*1 "if^WfJm^' :x m # tors; pecifil view J I, and eon- ' THE COTTAGE FLORIST, FOR THE PEOVINCE OF ONTARIO, BEING A COMPENDIOUS AOT) PEACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CULTIVATION OF FLOWERING PLANTS. ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATE OF THE LATE PROVINCE OF UPPER CANADA. .BY AN AMATEUR FLORIST, . ^: w ^»Wi«ge to in eiieloah • P.O. |;«ljl < I 4 V t. \ , ^^H A,," ^ ^ ..,v^ '''\''l / 1 .* TORO. NTO: 1868. 1, f .- '- . »*'"ii ,^'jr*. .-i-Asu ■v*i':t V .' T.1 ) ,1, 1 ♦■' '' (t^l. ■'ui ■.> . a 4-1 oz'^ JUL f ij4a • • MAR 2 3 1972 , ' ■" , \'.' *i' I'* PREFACE. This small work is intended to supply a want long felt by the Amateur Floriculturist, for such a guide to t^e treatment of the various flowering plants as would enable him, though the merest tyro in gardening, to cultivate them successfully. Many very valuable works on the subject of Flori- culture have issued from the press of Britain and America, but I am not aware Of any that has addressed itself, as is proposed here, to the mcx'e beginner. Some are limited to the cultivation of particular classes of plants ; others are too elaborate and expensive ; while some again are mere catalogues. And in addition to this, however useful in the hands of the more expe- rienced gardener, they are necessarily unsuited to the novice in floriculture in this Province, where the climate is so very different from that for which they were intended. In this respect the Cottage Florist may be relied on with safety, prepared, as it has been, exclusively for the Province of Ontario. Trusting, then, that this unpretending volume may meet the want thus felt,' and tend to promote a taste for the beautiful — civilizing and elevating the commu- nity— the author now submits it into the hands of the public. ''Ju . Aspec SoUs How Style Four Plan Clasj List List List List List List List Moi CONTENTS. PAGE. Aspect and Position for a Flower Garden 9 Soils suitable for Garden 9 How to lay out a Flower Garden . . 10 Styles of Flower Gardens 10 Formation of Garden Walks 11 Plants suitable for edging "Walks 11 Classification of Flowering Plants 14 List of Flowering Shrubs 14 List of Flowering Perennials 17 List of Flowering Biennials 24 List of Flowering Annuals 25 List of Flowering Bulbs 33 List of Flowering Green-house Plants for planting out 43 List of Flowering Climbing Plants 46 Monthly Calendar 48 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. T> ■»»» HE love of flowers is so inherent a portion of our nature, that there are few who do not enjoy their beauty and sweetness, displaying as they do the most brilliant colours, the most delicate organization, the most fragrant perfumes. Indeed, he must be of a brutish nature who cannot appreciate their loveliness, and feel his soul expand with gratitude and praise to his Divine Father, whose Goodness, Power and Wisdom, are thus manifested, in clothing the Lily with purity and decking the Rose with loveliness. To surround himself with these attractive and pleasure-giving objects is the desire of every one who can appreciate the beautiful in Nature as in Art : and to devote his leisure to their cultivation and study, the ^lim of each plodder in the tracks of business or science. ** Delightful task to rear the tender plant," To watch from day to day the ever changing, ever pleasing, phases of the garden, to trace the beauteous development of bud, and leaf, and blossom ; and then what amusement so harmless, and yet so interesting, as to prepare the soil, and train the gradually expanding loveliness of its denizens. The pleasing anticipation, the anxious solicitude, the gratifying results, all tend to keep the mind in that delightful feeling of suspense, V 8 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. hope, and gratification, which constitutes perhaps the truest mortal happiness. How natural, then, that the weary labourer, the intelligent mechanic, the man of business or of literature, the learned professor, the shrewd lawyer, or the hard-working clergyman, should seek to solace his mind and drive away his toil, his care, his anxiety, in the enjoyment and repose of his garden j and in our free and happy Dominion of Canada, there need be few who cannot enjoy this attractive feature in the family home. Yet while the love of flowers is thus so common, and the possessioli of a garden so desirable, disappointment and annoyance have so frequently marred the efforts of beginners, that many have given up in disgust a pursuit apparently so tantalizing and fruitless. With a view to remedy this, and aid and encourage the mere tyro in floriculture, these pages are now issued. My design is not to enter elaborately into the subject, but by a few plain directions and simple rules to enable every one to be his own gardener, and render that a pleasure which is so often a source of annoyance. In floriculture, as in everything else, much of the success attending it will depend upon the judgment and care taken in laying the foundation. Presuming, then, that the garden has to be made out 01 what may have been mere common, — and probably the house or cottage erected — the first thing to settle should be its THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 9 ASPECT AND POSITION. This will of course depend in a large measure on that of the buildings, but if suitable thereto, the most favor- able aspect would be one facing Westward, and it should be protected on the North and East from cold winds, either by the buildings, fences or hedges. If placed so that the parlour, dining, or sitting room windows open on it, so much the better, but communication with the kitchen department and back premises should be made .elsewhere ; a gentle slope will be rather an advantage if falling from the house, but at all events the ground must be free from great irregularities in height and hollow; if of small extent, made perfectly level. THE SOIL Best suited for the successful culture of most flowers is a light, friable loam, neither too light and sandy nor too heavy and rich, and by no means stift' or clayey. If the position chosen does not meet this requirement it must bo made so, either by the addition of sand, lime, road sweepings, &c., to clayey land, or of decayed turf, cow-dung, clayey loam, to light sandy soil;— whatever the soil may originally be, after levelling off, the whole should be well dug and manured with thoroughly rotten dung, leaves or decayed vegetable matter, as on the proper preparation of the soil at the first will depend much of the future beauty of the garden. i ^ 10 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. The situation and aspect being settled and the- ground thoroughly prepared, and the intending florist having also decided as to the style or manner in which he intends to lay it out, he should draw out the PLAN On paper according to scale ; and here I would remark that serious errors often arise from adopting plans which, however suitable for one garden, are quite unsuited for another — arranging, for instance, a spot of about twenty square feet on a plan only suited to an acre lot, or a quarter acre lot on that of a ten acre garden. Should the space allotted to the Flower Garden be small, say from twenty to fifty feet square, a simple geometrical figure will look best. If a space of one hundred feet be devoted to the flower-garden, the whole may be sown with lawn grass, shrubbery planted round the sides and in clumps, and the beds neatly cut out ; but nothing looks worse than to see a small garden where the flowers are hidden by rank grass. THE PABTEBBE STYLE Of garden is by far the best where the space is limited, and affords the finest field for the exercise of taste — a series of ovals, circles, octagons, pen- tagons or squares, may be easily combined in one harmonious whole, carefully avoiding any figure with sharp angles, and arranging all so that they may tend iiid the g florist mer m out the remark plans e quite spot of i to an en acre Garden . simple of one e whole planted itly cut garden >aco IS cerciso pen- n one I with ' tend THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 11 1 to a central point; the general coup cCmil will then be harmonious and lovely. • No minute directions can here be given for forming such plan, the shape of the land and style of adjacent structures materially affecting it. I repeat, therefore, the suggestion to draw it out first on paper, according to a regular scale taken from actual measurement of the land itself, and then proceed to transfer the design to the land itself; previous to doing which, however, it should be either well ploughed or dug, manured and leveled. This done, begin by marking out with wooden stakes the boundaries of your several walks and figures, carefnlly measuring from point to point as in your draught plan. ^ When the whole design has been as it were traced in stakes, on the soil, begin to form the WALES, By removing a portion of the soil and throwing it on the adjacent beds. (If it is desired to make more perfect work, they should be dug to the depth of at least two feet, filled with broken bricks or stone to tL^ depth of twelve inches or more, then about six inches of smaller stone, finishing with three or four inches of clean gravel.) An EDQING Or border should now be formed round the several beds, and this should bo done previous to completing the walks. rt^gf^'Ki-m^.m^imm 12 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. The best edging is undoubtedly one formed of Box (Buxus Sempervirens), for though the first cost may be greater than many other things used for that purpose, its greater durability, neatness and distinctness, will always place it first in the list of edtring plants. The best time to plant is about the 10th of May, and the method of doing so as follows : Take your reel and line and mark out, say one side of ' your border from end to end, removing the stakes previously placed there ; with a sharp spade cut a slight trench neatly along the line about six inches deep, then take your plants, which may have been previously separated into small pieces, each of which, however, should have some rootlets attached, and place them neatly in the trench with one hand, while with the other you draw some soil up to them. Proceed thus till all have been planted, then fill in your soil and gently press with the foot, finishing with graveling of the walk ; water the whole thoroughly to settle the soil about the plants, and trim the tops neatly \vith a pair of g«jden shears. In winter, a slight protection may be given. Should Box be thought too expensive, there are several other plants which may be used, such as the 7m JiumiliSy Thyme, Sea Lavender (Statice Armeria)^ Phlox mhulata. Pheasant's Eye Pink, Southern Wood, and Grass; but none of these can for a moment bear comparison with Box. Should the extent of the contemplated garden war- rant the adoption of THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 13 THE PICTURllSQUE STYLE, The first thing to be done will be to have the land thoroughly dug or ploughed, and manured, (if this is done in the fall, and repeated next spring, so much the better), 30 as to form a lasting bed to nourish grass and plants for years ; early in the spring, let the whole be sown with clean, Timothy Grass and White Clover, and well rolled with a heavy roller, raked, and again rolled. Nothing further should be done that season but keep rolling every other week. The ensuing spring a fine uniform turf will form, which if carefully mown once a week will present a velvety, clean carpet, out of which to cut your beds for f owers. Proprietors im- patient of this delay of a year, often seek to save time by putting on turf from some common at hand, but have afterwards to regret their hurry % the introduc- tion into the garden of many noxious weeds, thistles, dandelions, &c., as well as from the irregular appear- ance of the whole. Take time, therefore, that you may do it the faster, and better. Good taste, an eye to harmony, and sound judgment, can alone direct to the proper arrangement of the Flower-beds and borders in this style of garden. It admits of a larger introduction of Flowering Shrubs, and Trees, and greater variety in the shape and design of the several beds, but no rule can be laid down that will compensate for the want of the principle of beauty and harmony, in the mind of the gardener. 14 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. "Whichever style of garden has been thus formed, either the geometrical or the picturesque, we have thus far only prepared, as it were, the canvas on which to paint the future picture. And when we have raked and moulded to shape the several beds or compart- ments, we have but produced the plain shield on which hereafter to emblazon our triumphs. Yet if the work has been done as already directed, the future operations of the Florist will be materially aided. Henceforth he will require to exercise his mind in reflecting on the probable results of the relative position of plants, the harmonious blending of colours, the natural habits of plants, their height, hardiness, and other qualities. This is the work now before him; it constitutes the difference between the Florist, who makes the works of God his study,- who calculates with precision the result to flow from every act he performs in his garden, and the mere possessor of a piece of land stuck full of jdants, unknown and uncared for. Plants in a floricultural sense may be classed under five divisions, viz: Shrubs, Perennials, Biennials, Annuals and Bulbs. To these may indeed be added, for large gardens, Trees, but for most cottage gardens, these are quite inad h. issible. SHRUBS Are hardy, deciduous plants — that is, casting their foliage every winter, and having many of the charac" THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 15 teristics of Trees. As they are to be permanent in their positions in the garden, they are generally the first thing put in. There are several of them highly ornamental, and by no means to be forgotten in filling up the Parterre. Of these the Daphne Mezereon, whose blossoms, clustering the naked branches almost before the snow has left bare the ground, make it a very desirable denizen of the garden ; the I)ouble Flowering Almond — (Amygdalis nana) — following up the preceding with a brilliant blush of rosy blossom; the Snow Ball ( Viburnum) , as its name imports, bearing its bunches of light white flowers like balls of snow; the Weigella, the Pynis Jajjonicaj the Berberry, the Snow Drop Tree (Helesia), the Mock Orange or Syringa, the Spirea, the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus), the Snowberry (Symphora), the Southern Wood {Artemisia), the Purple Fringe, or Smoke Tree; the holly-leaved Berberry, MaJwnia aquifolio, a very- desirable shrub ; being evergreen, it supplies in Canada our want of the English Holly ; the Deutzia, . Scabra and Gracilis — very handsome and delicate- looking ,shrubs, with beautiful white flowers, flowering early in spring, and seldom growing higher than three feet; but, above all, the Eose — claim a place in every garden where the space will allow. In many cases the extent of the garden may not admit of much shrubbery, but none can afford to do without the Roses. With our severe winters and dry, hot summers, it is 16 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. difficult to bring the Queen of Flowers to the perfec- tion attainable in Britain, but the skilful florist must accustom himseK to meet and overcome difficulties. The Rose is held in high estimation by all civilized nations, for the delicacy of its colours and universally grateful odor. It varies in colour from a deep carmine to pure white, and from purple to yellow. It delights in a lich loamy soil and plenty of water, and a handful of guano put around the roots each spring grfeatly^ improves the bloom. For the same reason, viz : its pcwer of impoverishing the soil, it should be trans- plaDced from place to place every third year There are several varieties of Roses, as the China, or Tea Scented, the Noisette, the Hybrid Perpetual, and Bourbon, with many subdivisions, as the Moss, the Cab- bage, &c. The China and the Noisette are, however, too delicate to stand our winters, and require therefore to be moved into the house in November. The Hybrids will be the better of some protection at the same time. A good plan for all Roses is to lay two or three spade- fuls of stable manui'e all around the roots in the fall — it not only protects them from frost, but by the washing in of the snow and rain nourishes the whole plant. A troublesome enemy to the beauty of the Rose is the green fly, which in dry seasons renders the foliage a brown mass, utterly blasting the hopes of the flonst. Syringing with diluted tobacco water, soapy water, or slight lye, and afterwards washing by a thorough water- THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 17 ing, is the only remedy. The Pyrus Japoniea or Japaw Pbab is a very handsome shrub, as is also the Weigelia, and both are quite hardy; but space alone can determine the extent to which they may be used. I now pass to the class of plants known as PEBENNIALS, Because they as it were renew their life every spring ; for though seed-producing, and capable of being raised from seed, it is generally by divisions of the roots that they are propagated ; and as they are to be permanent in their locale, or at all events remain in the same spot for some years, they naturally form the class of plants to follow that of shrubs. They form the bulk of the material of decorations, and in general require little cultivation. The principal varieties are Ac.-«W'H1-Ii ''1 !i Jl.; I. Wi»lMiJ)»JJW. « 18 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. l->. The Bee Larkspur, a tall-growing variety of the Delphinium family, — with brilliant blue spikes of flower, the stems of which have the appearance of a bee inserted in the flower in search of honey, hence its name ; it will reach five feet high in good soil, flower- ing from June to September. The Phloxes, a numerous family, of the most varied colours and height, varying from setacea nivalis and subulata to polyphyUuSj that is from four inches in height to five feet, and in colour from pink to white and purple. Many beautiful varieties are now in cultivation with striped flowers. There are few plants better suited to keep up a succession of bloom than the Phlox, some of them being in flower at one time or another during the whole summer — May t.o October. They grow freely in any good garden soil, but like aU perennials are the better of removal from place to place every third or fourth year. The Lobelia c rdinalis is a very handsome spike- bearing flower, of a rich carmine colour and about three to four feet high ; it is a native of Canada, but somehow, though hardy enough in its native state, is very apt to be killed in winter when transplanted to the garden ; it likes a rich moist soil. Lobelia syphi- litica, is a plant bearing a blue flower, about ten inches in height— more hardy than cardinalis. A fine contrast to the'Lobelia and Phlox is furnished in the Lupinus polyphyllus, a leguminous plant, of hardy THiE COTTAGE FLORIST. 19 growth, with spikes of deep blue flowers touched with white, height four feet. Lupinus Nootkatensis, a more delicate plant of the same family — flowers light blue, height eight inches. There is also a California species, Lupinus LatifoUus, with long spikes of blue flowers. Lychnis, flos cuculi, or Eaqged Robin, an old favorite still deserving a place in the floral world — ^it is a hardy plant about eighteen inches high, with bunches of bright pink flowers, which look as if torn, hence the name. Lythrum, a shrubby-looking perennial with spikes of pinkish purple flowers, hardy in any common garden soil; height about three feet. Monarda, a native of Canada, not unlike Mint, with an equally pungent smell, and bearing its flowers, which are a deep red, in tiers under the leaves; it grows about eighteen inches high, is perfectly hardy; all that is necessary in its cultivation being the reihoval of run- ners from the roots every spring. Dicentray or Dyletria spectahilisy is a modern in- troduction to the Flower Garden, but a very important one; whether the season of flowering (early in June), the apparent delicacy of the whuie plant, or the novelty and beauty of its heart-shaped flowers — pendent in racemes, like those of the Fuchsia — ^be considered, it must be reckoned a g;reat acquisition. When first in- troduced, it was thoug;ht to be too tender for our climate, but experience has shown it to be thoroughly V^ ■^ ■n'Mtmi.AiaSmmMitmm.^mim.i 20 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. hardy ; it grows freely in any good garden soil, requir- ing only division and replanting of the roots every third or fourth year. • - Dianthm harhata^ The Sweet Williams, are neces- sary to every flower garden. I place them among the perennials, (though properly biennials), because I find them capable of .jeing grown as such. Trim off the flower stalks when done flowering, and give a little manure in the spring,, and they will continue to thrive for several years, — they are also easily propagated by slips from the roots in the spring. Many varieties of colour may be raised from seed ; the double flowering varieties are especially desirable. Dianthm caryophyllus, and LHanthvs plumarius^ the Carnation and Pink, treated as the Sweet Wil- liams, may also be ranked with the perennials; they are par excellence considered what are called Florists' Flowers, that is, a class of flowers to which the special at- tention of Florists has long been given, and which have in consequence been greatly improved in size and colour. Lengthy treatises have been written on their cultivation, to which I must refer those who wish further information, contenting myself with a simply popular statement of general culture. The soil best .adapted to their growth, from the fibrous nature of the roots, is evidently a porous one, hence the general rule .of Florists is to prepare one combining this quality with .richness. They recommend one part each of clear river THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 21 sand, peat soil, and thoroughly decayed cow-dung ; in such a soil they grow to great perfection. Watering during the growing season with manure water, is also desirable. Carnations are divided by Florists into three classes, Bizarres, Flakes and Selfs, and are prized ac- cordingly. A good specimen should have a strong stem, and only two or three of the pips left to flower. Pinks should be finely fringed or laced with distinct colours* and the protrusion of .the pistils is deemed a great defect in either. Acquilegiay The Coi^umbine, one of the Ranunculacea, is a hardy perennial, well known by its pendulous bell- shaped flowers, — there are now several varieties in cul- tivation, with colours white, pink, blue and purple ; they are often double flowered. Its height is about eighteen inches ; flowers in May and June. Podophyllum, or May Apple, another native of our woods, deserves a place in the Parterre from the beauty of its pure white blossoms and yellow anthers, succeed- ed by a little apple, as well as from its peculiar foli- ations; it flowers in May — ^hdght twelve inches. Sanguinaria, or Blood "Wort — likewise a Canadian plant, and equally attractive in the early spring. Both these like a moist peaty soil, yet not stagnant. The Foxgloves, well-known plants in Britain, have not yet reoeived sufficient attention here ; they are strong-growing plants, with flowers like the Snap- dragons, and of varied colours, fr >m purple to white. 22 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. The Penstemon, like the foregoing, is also an addition which might be made with advantage ; it is more tender, but the inflorescence is richer; it is generally cultivated in a similar style to the Carnation and Pink. Ranunculus^ Bachelor's Buttons, a double flowered species of Buttercup common in British gardens, and whose metallic yellow flower might well be made avail- able in Bouquets even in Canada ; it naturally requires a moist situation. Gentian, a very beautiful dwarf perennial of a bril- liant blue, flowering early in spring, and requiring little care ; a light moist soil is its preference; a native of Canada ; height six inches. Viola, The sweet scented Violet, with its delight- ful fragrance and deep blue flowers, the Pansy, or Heart's Ease, whose culture in some parts of Britain has produced such wonderful results, and several native species of this order, deserve a modest place in the garden. They all like a moist, shady spot. Primula. The Polyanthus and Auricula, two impor- tant aids to the display of early spring, the Polyanthus, with gold and crimson florets, and mottled green leaf, being one of our earliest flowers — the Auricula, enrich- ed with florets, white, blue, green or purple, and deli- cately powdered, following in May. The soil best adapt- ed to them is one composed of decayed leaves and rotten cow-dung, blended with sand. The florists of England, especially those of the working classes, have THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 23 >nce; a native produced wonderful specimens by culture of the latter flower. Bellis perrennis. The DaisYj " wee crimsoned tip- ped flower," so attractive in British gardens, can with difficulty be preserved in oui* dry summers, and severe winters — ^by due protection and shade, by moisture and good soil it may, however, be preserved. To the above may be added, as amongst the peren- nials, Polemonium, or Greek Valerian, Saxifrage^ or London Pride, Veronica, or Speedwell, Thyme, Spearmint, Southernwood, &c. As a class. Peren- nials are important to the florist, furnishing a supply of plants of almost every shade of colour — flowering every month from May to October, and ranging from six inches to five feet in height ; they require generally little cultivation or peculiarity of soil, and appear from year to year in their proper places without the neces- sity of transplanting or sowing. I have in my remarks on each kind pointed out where any peculiar- ity of soil or culture was requisite — as a general direc- tion I would now further suggest, that in spring of each year they should bo gone round with the point of the spade or trowel, and reduced to proper size, and if growing weakly, transplanted to another spot, or a little decayed manure added around them. The most favour- able time to transplant is during the months of May and June, while the soil is still moist and cool. 24 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. BIENNIALS Are a class of plants, the seed of which having been sown in spring of one year, do not flower until the summer of the following. In this country many plants of this class either be- come Annuals, that is, they flower the same year in which they are sown, such are the Antirhinum or Snapdragon, CheiranthttSj Wallflower, the German Stocjts, Mimvlus, the Monkey Flower, and the Petunia, while others assume that of Perennials, as the Sweet William, Car- nation, &c. The few plants of this clae" ■;rhiv;h are strictly Biennials are AUhea roseUy or the Hollyhock, — a flower which is at present resuming the place it used to hold in the aflections of British florists ; the double flowering varieties, of which there are every shade of colour, can not be rivalled for stateliness and beauty; it is easy of culture, and satisfied with any good garden soil. Sow the seed early in May, when about three inches high transplant to a bed of well prepared and rich soil, planting about twelve inches apart each way, cover slightly in winter with some light straw, and be careful that water does not lodge about them in follow- ing spring, in June place where intended in the garden. (Enothera or Evening Primrose, and Campanula media, Canterbury Bells, require similar cultivation. The Hollyhock attains a height of from five to eight feet, the (Enothera about five feet, Canterbury Bells from two to three feet. THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 25 The Hollyhock has flowers of every colour from white to almost black; the Evening Primose a pale lemon yellow, with the peculiarity of expanding at sunset; Canterbury Bells white, pearl and deep blue, and very frequently double. There are several other plants which are Biennial but do not stand the severity of our winters, and therefore require, if raised, to be taken into the protection of a Green-house, or cold pit where the frost cannot reach them ; of these I may name Cheiranthus cheira^ (Wallflower,) Huniea elegans. Calceolaria. We now come to the large class of flowers known as ANNUALS, Which having grown up, blossomed and produced seed, die, and are perpetuated by said seed, — they are either hardi/y half hardy, or tender^ according as they are capable of enduring more or leas cold in the spring and fall. The following are TENDEB. BaUamina hortensia, the garden Balsam, known by the beauty of its flowers, which are clustered on short pedicels thickly around the stems and branches, and are pf several , shades of colour, white, pink, mottled., i^tfd'. tm]^p5e';;, height about eighteen inches ; Ageratum Mexicana, a dull-looking plant with very delicate blue flowers, which it produces all the summer, rendering- j^ a desirable bedding plant; Oomplirena, the Gloj3^, Amaranth, < » 1 > \y 26 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. ¥rith round heads of crimson and purple flowers, used by the ancients ir fonning garlands, and by the French for Immortelles ; the Amaranthtis caudateSj or Love Lies Bleeding, and A. hypocondrictiSf or Pbinob's Feather, members of the same family, are well known plants, as is also the Mesembryanthnm Crystallinumy or Ice Plant, with its apparent icy surface ; Mimosa pudica, the Sensitive Plant, whose delicate organization causes the leaves to close up on the lightest touch ; Mimulvs, the Monkey Flower, with yellow flower often beautifully marked — flowers from June to September; ASalpiglossiSy a native of Chili, with convolvulus- shaped flowers from yellow to brownish red — flowers In August, height about twelve inches ; Arctotis, brevls- carpa, a trailing annual, with bright orange flower, dark centred ; Heliptrum Sandfordii^ a new tufted flower of the Everlasting family; bright yellow; twelve inches high ; Xeranthevnum^ Everlasting, very useful in making winter bouquets ; purple and white ; two feet high ; Browallia, stata^ a native of South America ; two feet high ; flowers blue ; Comnidnim Engelmanni^ a new annual, with bright yellow flowers ; grows about twelve inches high ; Limnanthes Douglasi% white with ' " . yelldw obnti-e, six inches high; Ldnum grandiflorum, crimson-flowered Phlox; height six inches; trailing; SeneciOyVar,8omeyrh&t like iliQCineraria; purple, crimson and white flowers ; twelve inches high. To these may be added the Ver6ena, which, though generally grown from THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 27 cuttings, can be raised from the seed treated as a tender annual. The tender Annuals all require the aid of a hot-bed in the spring; it will be well, therefore, as some of my readers may be ignorant how this should be made, to describe shortly the process. A frame or box, say six feet in length, four feet in width, three feet deep in the rear, and two feet in the front, with glazed slides, must either be made or procured ; about two cart loads of warm stable dung should then be piled up near the place you intend the iframe to staled; once a week move the whole from one spot to another, until the rank smoky heat has gone, and only a gentle one remains; when in this state measure out a spot a foot wider each way than your frame, and mark it by a stake at each corner; then lay on the dung in layers, gently packing with the back of the fork; when ail is on place the frame on the top of the bed, which should be about four feet high, put on the lights, and allow to stand for a few days to settle; then fill in about eight or ten inches of fine, light, sandy soil, and your hot-bed is ready — the middle of March to 1st April is the time to commence. In sowing the seeds of Tender Annuals, as many of them are very small, be careful not to cover with too much soil ; a slight sprinkling and pressing down with the back of the trowel will suffice to cover the most of them. Their management while in the hot-bed frames will require careful attention ; the heat "ViU 28 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. must be kept as steady as possible, at or about 60 degrees; water supplied by a gentle watering, and with water that has been brought up to the temperature of the hot-bed. Three or four times in the day the frames should be visited, and either raised or lowered as cir- cumstances require; as the seeds germinate and begin to grow, they should be thinned out, to encourage the growth of the remainder, and when in their third leaf or thereabouts, pricked out to a further distance from each other, or potted in small pots, which should be left in the frames. By the month of June most of the plants may be either transplanted to a carefully pre- pared piece of rich soil in some retired place, or potted in prepared compost, in pots larger and larger as re- quired. Balsams and Amaranths, by judiciously changing the pots and giving plenty of water, so as to keep up a steady growth, can be made to produce fine strong healthy plants for placing in the garden in July ; and the reserve ground, which, by the way, is essential to the keeping up of the bloom of the garden, will by that time bo well filled with a supply of plants ready to flower. The HALF-HABDY ANNUALS Are such as do not need bottom heat, but require to be sown after the soil has been somewhat heated by the sun's rays, the vitality of the seeds not enduring THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 29 our severe winters, and whose growth, therefore, can be greatly encouraged by the use of a glazed frame laid simply on the soil ; they may, therefore, be either grown in the reserve ground, or at once where intended to remain' — ^ifthe latter, about the 10th of June; if the former, with glass frame, about the 1st of June. The following are half-hardy annuals : — Asters, (China, or German), twelve to eighteen inches high; white, blue, pink, purple, and striped; some are nicely quilled, others are dwarfish. Indeed, the Germans have greatly improved this flower, as they have also done the Stocks. Caoalia cocoinnba, tassel flower, a pretty scarlet; about twelve inches high. Campanula specidunif Venus* Looking-olass, a pretty trailing annual, blue flowers, about twelve inches high. Chrysanthemum coronariunij white and yellow flowers ; height two to three feet. Clarkia pidchella ; reddish purple flowers ; height, say six inches. CoLLiNSiA bicolor. — Height about eighteen inches ; flower red. Convolvulus minor, trailing plant, covering the ground with a succession of pretty blue and yellow flowers. Calhopsis tindoriay height six inches ; flower red. Calendrina ^mnc?e)fom spectosaf and discolor; showy 30 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. Peruvian flower, purple and crimson ; height about twelve inches. Jberis. — White and Purple Candytuft; height twelve inches. Lupinus, the Lupine, several varieties; white, yellow, blue, and purple, all very handsome flowers, varying from L. nanus, six inches high, to L. mutaMlis, four feet. Nemophilia, light blue ; six inches high. Flos Adonis, dark red ; height six inches. Allyssum, (Sweet), white ; six inches. Amberboa, Sweet Sultan, yellow; height twelve inches. AnagalliSf Pimpernel, a creeping plant, blue. Calendula^ the Marigold — the African, grows about three feet high ; brownish orange flower ; the French,^ much the handsomest, about twelve inches. Zinnia. — Various shades of orange, red, and brown ; height from twelve to eighteen inches. Martynia fragranSf trumpet-shaped flower, clammy to the touch, and with very pungent smell. Silene armeria, Catchfly Lobels, small pink flower ; twelve inches. LeptosiphoUy Californian annual, somewhat like the Gilia, with white, yellow, or purple flowers ; grows about twelve inches high. Lychnis HaagianUj a new hybrid Lychnis, with bright scarlet flowers, sometimes orange or white ; twelve THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 31 inches liigh. This plant is sometimes cultivated as a biennial, but will not stand the winter of Ontario. Nemesick versicolor, light blue, twelve inches high. The soil in which half-hardy annuals are sown should be light and rich, and when the plants have attained their third leaf they should be thinned out in order to strengthen the remainder; it will be well to prick out, that is replant, at a short distance from each other, the Asters and Zinnias, as they will thereby make the better plants. In transplanting from these reserve beds to the parterre, it should, if possible, be done in showery weather; at all events a slight watering should be given when doing so. THE HABDY ANNUALS May either be sown in spring, say about the beginning of May, or in the Fall — October or November. The I strongest plants are generally those which have grown [from seed self-sown, that is, seeds that have fallen from the plants of the previous year, and it is well, there- fore, in clearing up the garden in spring, not to disturb the surface much until it is seen what have been so self-sown, — the best may then be lifted carefully and planted in their proper places. The following are of this class. Centaurea cyantts, the Blue Bottle ; flowers white, blue, or purple; height about eighteen inches. Erysimum perofsManumy Treacle Mustarp, not un- 32 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. \ like the Wallflower^ grows about twelve . inches high, with fine orange flower. GiLiA tricoloTy a natiye of California ; pretty flowers ; about eight inches high. Gypsopha elegana, white flowers; grows two feet high. Helianthm, the Sun Flower, a coarse-growing flower, that may occasionally be used with shrubbery. Hibiscus A/ricanuSf yellow flowers, two feet high. Delphinium ajacis, the Double Eockbt Larkspur, one of the most desirable annuals, flowering in June, July, and August, height about twelve inches; every shade of colour £rom white to purple ; a row of these along a border is equal in appearance to that of the finest Hyacinths. Nigdla daniascenuj or Lovb in a Mist; curiously formed, bluish green flowers, nearly hid in the foliage ; height about twelve inches ; bushy. Beaeda odorata, the Mignonette, a weil-known fra- grant flower, should be grown on dry sandy soil to educe its fragrance. Phlox Drumhondii — a very pretty annual, with flowers of the richest carmine, pink, or white — is some- times treated as a tender annual, but produces the best flowers when aelf-sown ; height about twelve inches. PoRTULAOA 8plende7t8, e. trailing plant with soft sue- r^ culent leaves and branches, producing an abundance of the most beautiful yellow, orange, scarlet, and crimson THE COTTAGE FLORIST. . 33 flowers, shining in the mid-day sun with metallic bril- liancy. Papaver somnifenim, the Poppy — there are several garden varieties of this field weed, very showy and de- serving of cultivation ; the fringe flowerd are much prized; height about two feet; colours various. Whitlavia grandiflora — a deep blue bell-shaped flower; about one foot high, slightly procumbent. Riciniis communis^ the Castor Oil Bean, or Palma Christi ; chiefly grown for its peculiar foliage ; about five feet high. Mirahilis Jalapa, (Marvel op Peru), slightly trailing plant, about twelve inches from the ground ; flowers rich purple. !N"asturtium, also a trailing plant ; looks well pegged down 01! the beds ; flowers yellow and orange. Salvia coccinea, a fine annual of the sage family, with dark red flowers on spikes ; grows about twelve inches high. The hardy annuals require little more attention than to keep them clear of weeds ; thin out where too thickly sown, or transplant from where they have sprung up to where more required ; this should be done in moist weather, and before they grow too large. I now come to the division classed as BULBS, Though included therein will be found not only the true Bulbs, such as the Tulip and Hyacinth, but all the 3 34 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. tuberous-rooted plants, as the Dahlias, Narcissus, &c. I class them in this division because in many respects they require the same culture, and are increasd in a similar manner. As the beauty of the garden in the early spring will depend almost entirely on the Bulbs, the florist will not fail to have a supply of these. Foremost in the floral march appears the Snowdrop, (Galanthus nivalis^ — with bells of spotless purity, and in its simple beauty teaching a lesson of faith and hope in the promises of the great Creator, of reliance in His power and goodness, and th§ assurance that life and beaut) ohall arise out of the icy chill of death. The Snowdrop is of easy cultivation. It may be planted either in June or November; requires a light rich soil, and should be placed about two inches deep, lifting the bulbs once in four yeare, in order to remove the young offsets and keep them at the same depth. The Crocus succeeds the Snowdrop, flowering from the middle of April to the middle of May. There are six or seven varieties, vaij ing in colour from pale yel- low to deep orange and purple, and from pure white to purple. A bed or border of these, duly arranged in planting, produces a very fine effect when in flower. The bulbs or corms should be placed in the ground in October or early in November ; a light soil suits THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 35 them ; and they require no further attention than sim- ply to be careful when dressing the ground in spring not to disturb the roots : indeed, this may be applied generally to all the bulbs. There should be no digging allowed in the spring, where tubers or bulbs have been placed ; a slight loosening of the soil with a flat-toothed fork or grape being all that is required. Neither should the leaves be cut off when done flowering — as is some- times done for neatness — but they should be allowed to wither down to the ground, when they can be easily raked away. Plant about three inches deep, and re-plant the whole once in every four or five years, as in +hat time the ofi"- sets will have come near the surface of the soil. Tulipoe, the Tulip. — What would a florist do with- out the Tulip \ For although the mania is long gone when fortunes were won and lost on tulips, as ^ Florist's Flower it still ranks amongst the indispens- ables of the flower garden. In Britain, great attention is paid to the culture of. . the Tulip. Beds about four feet wide, and of any required length, are dug out to the depth of two feet, and a stratum of fresh turfy loam laid on, over this a layer of rotten cow-dung, and on that again a layer of sand and loam mixed. The surface of the bed should be slightly raised in the middle, and the whole a little elevated above the surrounding walks. The Bulbs are all named and marked on a plan, and 36 THE COTTAGE FLOHIST. are placed in their position seven inches apart and two deep, the tallest-growing flowers being in the centre. . In winter, the beds are covered with a coating of stable litter, and when they are flowering, protected by an awning of calico. A bed of tulips in flower is really a gorgeous sight. In our Province of Ontario, the Tulip has not yet received the attention it deserves ; few good bulbs have been imported, and little care taken of those. The Tulip is quite hardy, but subject to be affected by rot, if the soil be not well drained. Tulips are divided into four classes, viz. : Bizarres^ marked with scarlet and purple on yellow ground; BiBLOMENS, purple or violet marks on a white ground ; EosES, rose or cherry-coloured on white ground ; and Selfs, simple colours, either white, yellow, red or pur- ple ; these are termed breeders by florists, and are only grown for the purpose of raising seedlings. I shall not describe- the process of growing from the seed, with a view to obtaining new varieties, though that is an interesting pursuit, and deserving attention, but shall confine any further remarks on this flower to its general culture. I have already described the mode of preparing bods for its thorough culture as a Florist's Flower, and in growing it in the border, the nearest approximation yire can make to that is, when planting, to take out a full spade deep of the soil, and in the hole put cow- THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 37 dung up to within four inches of the surface ; then about two inches of sand, in which the bulb is planted, filling up with garden soil. Mark the spot with a wooden tally, to guard against injury when forking over the ground in spring. Nothing further will be necessary until the flowering season is over ; when the leaves turn yellow they may be cut ofF, not before. Every third year lift the bulbs, separate the offsets and re-plant, the best time for doing which is in the month of October. The Hyacinth, Hyacinthus onentalis, so nearly re- sembles the Tulip in its mode of cultivation, that the remarks made thereon mil serve in regard to it. It is more delicate, and should have the warmer spots of the garden in which to flower. It is also liable to deterioration ; indeed, to secure a fine blow, new bulbs ought to be imported every fall. It is very surprising that hitherto the Dutch have had an entire monopoly of raising bulbs. Acres of Tulips and Hyacinths may be seen undei cultivation in Holland and Belgium, and a large trade in these bulbs is kept up with the rest of the civilized world ; and it is perhaps best that it is so, as the time required in mirsing the offsets into flowering bulbs (about seven years) deters all but patient Dutchmen from following the pursuit. Hyacinths are either single or double-flowered,' and 38 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. are of almost every shade of colour, crimson, purple, blue, white or yellow. The Hyacinth, from the beauty of the flower and delicacy of its perfume, is well adapted for parlour cul- ture ; but on thie department of floriculture, embracing green-house management, I do not propose to enter. The Grape Hyacinth, Muscari, is a very pretty dwarf Hyacinth-looking flower, with brilliant blue pedicels, about six inches in height ; it will grow easily in any good garden soil, and groups well with the Snow- drop and Crocus, flowering about the same time. It need not be re-planted oftener than once in every five years. The Nai'cissus family, embracing the Jonquil, the Daffodil, and the Polyanthus Narcissus, are very desirable occupants of the garden, from the delicacy of their perfume and early season of flowering. The Jon- quil is especially very sweetly perfumed ; it sends up an elegant slender stalk, about a foot high, bearing a bunch of bright golden flowers. They should be planted i . October, in good garden soil. The Polyanthus Narcissus is a taller plant, but not so sweetly perfumed. The Daffodil, of which poets sing, is common to every English garden. The white flowering variety is the prettiest. All the different kinds are hardy, requiring no further attention than re- planting once in three years. Lilium, the Lilies, viz., Caudidiuni, the White Lily, THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 39 flowering in June, and reaching about four feet in height ; the Martagon Lily, flowering in August ; and the Tiger Lily, flowering in July, both with deep orange flowers ; the Japan Lily, white, beautifully marked, and several other varieties, as the Philadelphi- cum, the Pomponium, all very splendid flowers, and with one or two exceptions, quite hardy. The Japan Lily and Lanci folium need some protection ; they should never be disturbed after they have started to grow in the spring, but should be planted where wanted, any time from August to October. They require a good deep loamy soil, well drained. The Crown Imperial much resembles the Martagon Lily, though of a different family and blooming earlier. It is of Persian origin, and bears its flowers, which are of an orange colour and reflexed, in a circle round the stem, in a manner somewhat similar to the Monardia. It grows best in a sandy loam, and should be planted at least four inches deep. The Iris family, all very pretty and hardy, such as the Persian, flowering in May, and sometimes used as an edging plant; the Lusitanica, or Fleur tie Lis, flowers in June, grows three feet high, handsome blue and white flowers. The Ghalccdonicay with the flowers mottled black and white. There is also a yellow variety, flowering in July. They all grow easily in any good garden soil, and rapidly increase. It is, therefore, necessary every third 40 THE COTTAGE FLOEIST. year to lift the roots and divide them ; this should be done between August and November. The Gladiolus, or Corn Flag, very showy flowers of the Iridacea family. The new hybrid varieties have of late become very popular, and deservedly so ; they rise about four feet, bearing stalks of brilliant blossoms from white to the deepest carmine, and make a fine appear- ance in beds. Their c\dturQ is simple, but requires a little attention. The bulbs should be planted in flower-pots in April, and placed in the hotbed, or in a warm room, till the end of May, when they may be turned out of the pots into the open ground. They like a good rich soil. When done flowering, allow the leaves to wither before cutting down. In September, lift the bulbs and pa^'h away in sand in a dry place till next spring. The Amartllis are a very showy family of bulbous plants, but require a green-house to flower nicely ; and the same may be said of the Tuberose. The Anemone and Ranunculus are tuberous-rooted plants, which have hitherto received but little atten- tion in America. In Britain they rank high as Floiists* Flowers, and their cultivation has been carried to great perfection. The severity of our winter appears to be too much for the tubers, and these are so small, and in colour so like the earth, that it is very difficult to discover them. I bypj gardj pots done till THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 41 I beKeve they can, however, be successfully reared by planting in pots, with a well-prepared soil of good garden mould, well decayed manure and sand. The pots can be placed in the garden in May, and when done flowering, be re-lifted and placed in a dry cellar till next spring. They are both exceedingly pretty when in flower, and a bed of them in full bloom in May and June is a sight worth seeing ; they are generally either crimson, blue, or purple, or some mixture of these colours. The Dahlia, a well-known tuberous-rooted plant, with flowers of every shade of colour, and from three to six feet in height. It is easily affiected by frost, and must, therefore, be lifted and kept in the cellar during winter. The soil best adapted for growing the Dahlia is a porous strong clay, enriched with well-decayed manure ; but it will thrive in any good garden soil — the culture is simple. In the month of March take the tubers which have wintered in a dry cellar, and place on a shelf in the kitchen, or some room where considerable heat is kept up. In about ten days shoots will appear about the old stems and eyes ; let the tubers be then cut into pieces, each having one or more of these incipient shoots attached, and plant in pots, giving a little water. When your hotbed is in operation, you may place the pots there, and your plants will make rapid progiCis. 42 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. All darger of frost being over, say about the twenty- fifth of May, take out of the pots, and plant where intended in the garden, placing beside each a firm pole or post, to which to tie it in its ^ ture growth, as the stem and branches are very easily broken by the wind. Great care should be taken to have each root pro- perly labelled when in the house, as well as when planted out, as by previous knowledge of the height and colour of each particular plant alone can you pro- perly arrange them in planting. About the end of June, look over all the plar^ts, re- moving side shoots from the main stem, nipping off pre- mature flowers, and noticing that all are neatly tied up ; a soaking of manure-water about this time will greatly benefit. From July to October they will flower in perfection, and until frost cuts them off. Immediately you perceive that a night's frost has burnt the leaves, cut them down to the ground and throw a handful of dry straw over the roots. In about a wr3k, on a dry, sunshiny day, proceed to lift the tubers, packing each kind in a separate box with light sandy loam ; mark distinctly, and put away in a cellar. Mirabilisy Marvel op Peru, though generally grown as a tender annual, is really a tuberous-rooted plant, producing tubers in the fall, which, if taken up and treated as the Dahlia, will produce flowers next season. CoMMELLiNA CcBLESTBS, also a tender annual, is of a THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 43 similar nature, and may be grown in a similar manner, but is hardly worth the trouble. Ponnia, the Peony Rose, has tuberous roots like the Iris, and requires much the same culture ; it is perfectly hardy, and will grow in any good garden soil. There are two distinct classes, one of an h4rbaceous and one of a shrubby nature. Pceonia Moutan (the shrubby species) requires a slight covering around the roots in winter. The herbaceous Poenias flower early, generally in beginning of June, when they are suc- ceeded by the shrubby ones. The colour of the flower is generally some shade of red or purple, from white to deepest crimson, or lilac to dark purple. Some of the varieties are sweetly fragrant. The roots should be planted in Sentembcr or October, and need no attention save a little covering in winter. In addition to these several divisions into which the flower gardener wUl divide plants, may be added that of BEDDINQ-OUT PLANTS. Bedding-out plants are such as require, for most part of the year, the protection of a green-house or conserva- tory, and are, from their manner of growth, effulgent bloom and striking colours, well adapted to produce brilliant effects in the garden. Of this class are the Geranium, the Cineraria, Lobelia, Petunia, Plum- bago, Salvia, Verbena, and Heliotrope. 44 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. As I do not expect cottage florists generally to be possessed of green-houses — and the scientific manage- ment of one is a subject requiring a volume in itself — I would recommend that such plants as may be required be procured from those who make the rearing of them a matter of business. A few dollars thus laid out will be fully repaid in the effect produced in the garden. The month of July is early enough to bed out green- house plants, and in doing so, be careful to bruise the rootlets as little as possible, at the same time loosening them if pot-bound,— that is, if the roots form a mass round the inner surface of the pot. Plant in a piece of ground well pulverized, trim off irregular shoots and all the flowers, and give a good watering, which will estab- lish them at once. The Scarlet Geranium, of which there are now many brilliant varieties, is invaluable in the summer decoration of the garden. It likes a good soil, well drained but moist, and free from shade. The Cineraria is hardly suited for out-door planting, its season of bloom being short, though for producing a temporary effect, its splendid metallic masses of colour are unrivalled. The Verbena is a flower garden in itself, easy of growth, and embracing every tint of colour. No gar- den is complete without it. It prefers a light moist soil. ■ The Petunia thrives best in a good rich soil, and the THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 45 shoots should be allowed to spread freely, and then be pegged down, the result being a fine show of purple bloom. The Petunia is easily raised from seed, and may be grown as a tender annual ; but the fine new varieties and double flowers can only be secured by propagation in the green -house. The Gazenia is a fine contrast to the Petunia, with its brilliant orange flowers. The Heliotrope, the well known Cherry Pie, pale lilac, and pleasant to smell, very useful in bouquets ; the Salvias^ handsome crimson and purple flowers ; and several other denizens of the green-house may advantageously be employed in decorating the garden during the months of July, August and September. With the beginning of October, they should all be lifted, re-potted, and returned to" the protection of a green-house ; but where that cannot be done, some may be preserved with care in the dwelling-house. Geraniums, Cinerarias, Heliotrope, and Salvias, may be kept through the winter in a dry cellar, where frost cannot enter, allowing the pots to become almost, but not entirely, dry. 'V erbenas, Lantanas and Petunias, cannot be safely brought through the winter without glass and heat ; but they may be raised each spring in the hot-bed as tender plants. In some gardens it may be desirable to have a few of what are known as '46 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. CLIMBEBS, To cover trellises, summer houses, &c., or conceal un- sightly objects. The following are suitable for this purpose : — Convolvulus Major, a hardy annual, whose -.veil known flowers,, white, crimson, or purple, appear each morning, from July to October. It will reach fifteen feet high. Sow the seed as early as possible in the spring, where you wish them to grow. The Scarlet Eunner, Phaseolus, will reach fifteen feet high, and vulgar though some think it, is nevejr- theless- a pretty climber. The Nasturtium, Tropeolum, is useful as well as pretty ; bright orange and yellow flowers, succeeded by a green capsule or berry, which makes an excellent pickle ; six feet is, however, its utmost height. The Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odorata, a well-known variety of the Pea, with pink and white blossom ; grows about four feet high. Honeysuckle, Lonicera, a shrubby climber, perfectly hardy. The variety known as Scarlet Trumpet is per- haps the most showy, but the yellow is the most fra- grant. It requires a good rich soil, and in a few years will cover a large space. The Rose has its climbing varieties in the Ayrshire and Prauie Roses, and although the latter is destitute of fragrance, yet its abundance of flowers in some THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 47 measure renders compensation. Like all roses, they should have rich soil and moisture. The stems, which will reach ten or twelfve feet in a season, are renewed every summer like the raspberry, and should therefore be pruned out every spring. ' The Passion Fljwer, Passifiorw, perhaps the most handsome of climbers, with delicate greenish white flowers, curiously cut j is rather tender for our winters, but it may be grown in a large pot or tub, so as to be moved into the cellar in winter, and in this manner form in summer a great ornament, as well as screen, in the garden. The Virginian Creeper, a hardy Ameri- can shrub, which in a few vears will cover a large space, is very useful in concealing any unsightly wall, as it adheres to it like the English Ivy, and in autumn very showy, from its leaves assuming a deop scarlet colour. Clematis gvavermis, is a nsw climber, growing about- twenty feet high, with handsome yellow flowers, and strikingly curious seed vessels. It is perfectly hardy. Such are the materials with which nature abundantly furnishes the florist, enabling him to produce those beautiful combinations and charming effects, so well calculated not only to gratify the sense, but elevate the soul. With these he is enabled to enjoy somewhat of the happiness of Paradise, to trace the wisdom, power and m 48 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. goodness of his Almighty Father in the loveliest of his productions, and feel that refining and elevating pro- cess take place in his whole nature which innocence, purity and beauty, are so well suited to effect. But, though these materials are thus placed at the disposal of man, Divine Wisdom requires of him the exercise of his mental and physical powers, in order to produce the effects required from them. The work of the florist must be a daily duty, and if he feels the pleasure which the culture of Nature's beauties inspires, he will willingly discharge it ; every plant will be duly visited and cared for 3 weeds which tend to mar the picture removed, and harmony, order and cleanliness maintained. As the changing seasons roll round, he wiU be found watching for the proper opportunity to do some needful work, and preparing to meet the necessities and wants of the various members of his floral family. I shall, therefore, as some help to the young florist, conclude with a short directory of WORE TO BE DONE In each month, beginning with what may be considered the commencement of our floral year. APRIL. Let all digging and raking be done as early in the month as possible. In the beginning of the month, THE COTTAGE FLORIST. 49 shrubs, perennials and biennials, may be planted, if possible, in moist weather, if not give water. Tender Annuals may be sown during the first week on a hot-bed, the half-hardy Annuals under glass in a warm spot, about the end of the month. Now is a good time for planting Cedar or Privet hedges. Box edging may also be put in towards the end of the month. Anemones and Ranunculus, in pots, may be planted in the beds. Look over Tulips and Hyacinths now coming into floAver; some may require support. Polyanthus and Auricula will soon show their beauties ; clear from de- cayed leaves, and thin trusses where too thick ; clean walks and put garden generally in order. MAY. Tender Annuals may now be pricked out in the hot- beds, or potted and placed under glass ; Dahlias may be removed from hot-bed and placed under glass ; sow during month Biennials and hardy Annuals ; plant Gladiolus, Amaryllis and Tuberose ; keep the hoe and rake going, and watch the progress of all flQ,w^s i^^\f ;. ing into bloom ; support where needed ; tlca;i''0ut where ' • . too close ; and transplant if necessary. JUNE. Seeds may still be sown, and the contents of the hot- bed planted out where not done last mqri.tii. Green- A * ' ,* .' ■. . > \'Z * ) • ) • »? 50 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. house plants, such as Geraniums, Verbenas, Heliotropes, &c., may be planted out. Be particularly watchful this month for weeds; keep hoe and rake in constant opera- tion ; plant out Dahlias and stake them. JULY. Tulips, Hyacinths, &c., will now be about done flowering ; when the leaves appear yellow, cut them off" and remove. Pots witii Anemones or Ranunculus, lift and place in cellar ; tie up Pinlcs and Carnations, and make layers of same ; remove all decayed leaves and blossoms ; plant out German Stocks and Asters, and any other plants you may have in the nursery beds, or require to fill up parts of the garden ; trim Privet and Cedar hedges, and Box edging, and keep all clean and neat. AUGUST. There is little more can be done this month than to keep a general supervision of the state of the garden, supporting plants where weak, removing such as do not come up to your expectations ; raking and keeping tidy the whole. Towards the end of the month some flow^TB .will be ripening teed ; if desired, it may now be gathere'd j'lf not, the seed vessels should bo at once removed. SEPTEIOBER. Dahlias wiJl how be in full flower ; see that they are well tied to the stakes, to prevent them being broken by any high ^inds that may arise ; gather seeds of the tHE COTTAGE i'LORIST. 51 finer flowers as ripening ; lift and pot layers of Pinks and Carnations ; take cuttings of Geraniums, Verbenas, &c., and plant in pots, if you wish to preserve the kinds through the winter in a green-house or sitting- room ; lift Wallfllowers and German Stocks, and pot for preservation through the winter ; remove dead plants, leaves, &c., and keep clean. OCTOBER. Now plant any Bulbs you may wish to add to your stock, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocus, Crown Impe- rial, Jonquils, Lilies ; remove decayed leaves and plants, and preserve the neatness of the garden to the last. NOVEMBER. Take up such Tubers and Bulbs as will be hurt by frost, as Dahlias, Marvel of Peru, Tuberose, Gladiolus, Amaryllis ; pack carefully away in sand and place in cellar ; gather forest leaves and pack into a heap for compost ; they are also useful to cover over the beds for protection. DECEMBER. No better employment for this month can be found than in collecting materials for compost heap — peat, leaves, old tan, sand, &c. — seeing all protected, and attending to plants in house. JANUARY. Watch carefully the plants brought into the house for protection ; a sharp night's frost may spoil the whole ; -.^^ftfesiefti^^ 62 THE COTTAGE FLORIST. look over Bulbs and Tubers to see that none are affected by rot. FEBBUABY. Arrange your designs for coming season ; prune Lilacs, Eoses, and other shrubs, about end of month. MABOH. Prepare hot-bed, and get seeds and everything in readiness for next month ; bring up Dahlias, &c., from cellar, and start them in warm kitchen; when duly started, pot them and place in hot-bad. I u ted acs. INDEX. ; in roni luly PAGE. Ageratum Mexicanum, deacription and culture of 25 Allyssum (Sweet), description and culture of SO Almond (Double Flowering), for shrubbery ; . . . . ir> Amaranths, description and culture of 25 treatment of in frames 28 Amaryllis, description and culture of 40 Anemone, description and culture of 40 Arbutus, or Strawberry Tree, for shrubbery 16 Arctotis breviscarpa, description and culture of 26 Artemisia, or Southern Wood 16 Asters (German), treatment of in frames 2d Auricula, description and culture of 22 Bachelor's Buttons, description and culture of 21 Balsams, description and culture of 25 treatment of in frames 28 Bedding-out Plants, when to plant out 44- Bee Larkspur, description and culture of 18 Berberrv, for shrubbery 16 Biennials, when to sow seeds of 49 Blood- Wort, description and culture of 21 Blue-Bottle, or Centaurea, description and culture of 31 Boxwood, as an edging plant 12 Browallia, description and culture of 20 Buildings, relation of to gardens 9 Bulbs, treatment of 35 Caccalia coccinea, description and culture of 2Q Calceolaria, ns a biennial 25 Calendrina, description and culture of 29 Calliopsls, description and culture of 29 Candytuft, description and culture of > 30 Canterbury Bells, description and culture of 24 Carnation, descilption and culture of 20 Catchfly Lobcls, description and culture of 30 Centaurea, description and culture of 31 Chrysanthomum coronarlum, description and culture of 29 Cineraria, as a bedding-out plant 44 Clarkla pulchella, description and culture of , 29 Clematis, as a climbing plant 47 CoUlnsia, description and culture of , 29 Columbine, description and culture of 21 Commellina celestis, description and culture of t 42 Composts suitable for flower gardens 9 when to prepare 61 Convolvulus Minor, description and culture of 29 Index. Convolvulus Major, as a climbing plant i6 Cosmidiujn, description and culture of 26 Crocus, description and culture of 84 Crown Imperial, description and culture of 39 Daffodil, description and culture of 88 Dabli?,, description and culture of . 41 E'?".sy, description and culture of 23 Dapbjie Mezftreon, description and culture of 16 Deutzia, description knd culture of 16 Dionthus (The), family, description and culture of 20 Dicentra, description and culture of 19 Edgings, plants most suitable for 12 Erysimum perofskianum, description and culture of 81 Evening Primrose, description and culture of 24 Flos Adonis, description and culture of 30 Foxglove, description and ''ulture of - 21 Gazenia, as a bedding-out plant 46 Gentian, description and cultuic of 22 Geometrical Flower Garden 10 Geranium, as a bedding-out plant 44 German Stocks, description and culture of 24 Gilia tricolor, description and culture of ' 32 Gladiolus, description and culture of 40 Grape Hyacinth, description and culture of 38 Grass Lawns, where suita,ble 10 Greek Valerian, description and culture of 23 Green Fly, how to destroy 16 Qypsopha elegans, description and culture of 32 Hardy Annuals, when to sow 49 Harmony of design required in flower gtrden ' Hedges, wlien to plant 4i* Heliotrope, as a bedding-out plant 46 Heliptrum Sandfordii, description and culture of 26 Honeysuckle, as a climbing plant 46 Hollyhock, description and culture of 24 Hot-bed, how to make 27 when to prepare 62 Humea elegans, as a biennial 25 Hyacinth, description and culture of 88 Ice Plant, description and culture of 26 Iris (The), description and culture of 39 as an edging plane 13 Japan LUv, descrlpticn and culture of 38 Jonquil, description and culture of 88 Lantana, as a beddlng-out plant 48 Larkspur (Rocket), description and cnlture of 32 Lawn (Grass), how to prepare for 13 Laying out of flower garden 11 Leptosiphon. description and culture of 30 Lilies, aescnption and culture of 38 Llniim grand! florum. description and culture of 26 Lobelia cardinalis, (lescription and culture of 18 London Pride, description and culture of 23 Love in a Mist, description and culture of 32 Luf Lye Lyt Mai Mai Mar Mar May MiiB Mod Mon Mon Mus Nan Nasi Nem Nem Pain Pans Pass Pens Peon Petu p>ii« Phlo Phlo Pimi Pink Plan Podo Polyi Polyj Popi Port! Prot( Purp Pyru Ragg Ranu Rock Rose Salpii Salve Saxif Scar! Seal Seeds Sonec Sensi INDEX. 27 62 2& as 26 :i9 13 «8 88 45 :j2 ifi 11 80 88 26 18 23 32 I Lupines (The), description and culture of 19 Lychnis Haagiana, description and culture of 30 Lythrum, description and culture of 19 Marigolds, description and culture of 30 Mart,agon Lily, description and culture of 39 Martynia, description and culture of 80 Marvel of Peru, description and culture of 42 May Apple, description and culture of 21 Mimulus, description and culture of 26 Monarda, description and culture of 19 Monlcey Flower, description and culture of 26 Monkshood, description and culture of 17 Muscari, description and culture of 38 Narcissus, description and culture of 38 Nasturtium, description and culture of 33 Nemophilia, description and culture of 30 Nemesia versicolor, description and culture of 30 Palma Christi, description and culture of 33 Pansy (The), description and culture of 22 Passion Flower (The), as a climbing plant 47 Penstemon, description and cultu e of 32 Peony Rose, description and culture of 43 Petunia, as a bedding-out plant 44 as an annual 24 Phloxes (The), description and culture of 18 Phlox Drummondii, description and cultiu-e of 32 as an edging plant 13 Pimpernel, description and culture of 30 Pinks, description and culture of 20 as edging plant 13 Plan of garden to be made 10 Podophyllum, description and culture of 20 Polyanthus (The), description and culture of 22 Polyaiithus Narcissus, description and culture of 38 Poppy, description and culture of 33 Portulaca, description and culture of 32 Protection for flower gardens 9 Purple Fringe, for shrubbery 15 Pyrus Japonica, for shrubbery 15 Ragged Robin, description and culture of 19 Ranunculus (The), description and culture of 40 Rocket, description and culture of 17 Rose (The), description an Southern Wood, for shrubbery 15 Spearmint, description and culture of 23 . Speedwell, descrii)tion and culture of 23 Spirea, description and culture of 15 Strawberry Tree, for shrnbbery 15 Sunflower, description and culture of 32 Sweet Peas, description and culture of 46 Sultan, description and culture of 80 William, description and culture of 20 Syringa, for shrubbery ; . . 16 Tender Annuals, when to be sown , 49 Thinning out of Annuals 31 Thyme, as an edging plant 13 Tiger Lily (The), description and culture of T 39 Treacle Mustard, description and culture of 31 Tulip (The), description and culture of 36 Venus' Looking-glass, description and culture of 29 Verbena, as a tender annual 26 as a greenhouse plant 44 Veronica, description and culture of 23 Virginia Creeper, as a climbing plant 47 Violets, description and culture of 22 Walks (Garden), how formed 11 Wallflower, description and culture of 24 Weigelia, for shrubbery 16 Whitlavia, description and culture of 33 Wolfsbane, description and culture of 17 Xeranthemum, description and culture of 26 Zinnia, description and cultiu-e of 30 Id SEtOVSJ SPABIK DtJTCK 0ilU>B2 PUVNW aATtBEll Tilt iXilST (DW. mmmm SfADE, (lAlUiEN RA3SE, royk&BBN aoEs: .{*-.-. . . i^iHwa hAvr, PitUNIHG KNIFE, 1 wbeb2[jbaf:«cw, GAJtDEN noiXBB, LA'Wl; SHEARS; WATT.mNG POT, Iawh gcyiHE, SVRINCE. 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