Garden Notes - Achimenes to Auricula

Achimenes

Herbaceous perennial, one to two feet high; cultivated as stove or warm greenhouse plants, and suitable for pot or basket culture. Start tubers in February or March, in shallow boxes filled with sandy mould, in a temperature of 55 to 65 degrees. When shoots are about 1 inch high, line a wire basket with moss, insert several groups of plants a few inches apart; then fill up with compost, and set some plants in the top soil. Compost two parts peat and loam, one part leaf-mould, sheep manure and sand. Keep soil moist, and shade from bright sunshine.

Agapanthus or African Lily

Herbaceous plant frequently cultivated in cool greenhouses; hardy in S. England and Ireland if protected from frosts. Compost; two parts loam, one part leaf-mould, decayed cow manure, and sand. Re-pot in March, once every three or four years. Water freely during late spring and summer, and very moderately during autumn and winter. Weak doses of liquid manure may be given occasionally during flowering season. Propagate by division of plants when re-potting.
 

Variegated Aloe

This popular dwarf Aloe has beautifully mottled leaves, and is sometimes known as the Partridge-breasted Aloe. It does well out of doors during the summer months, but must be brought into the greenhouse in autumn, and requires a winter temperature of about 50 degrees. Compost: two parts loam, one part peat, old mortar, and river sand. Water moderately from April to August, and little afterwards. March is the best time for potting, and good drainage must be provided. The Variegated Aloe seems to thrive in sunny windows.
 

Arum Lily or Richardia

Herbaceous perennial one to five feet in height, which may be cultivated in greenhouse or dwelling room October to May, and in the open from June to September. Divide and re-pot annually in August or September. Some growers dry off plants after flowering, and leave in pots until autumn. Compost; equal parts loam, cow manure, and silver sand. Water at all times; moderately September to March, freely March to May. Apply once weekly during flowering period either of the following stimulants: Peruvian guano ½ oz, or nitrate of soda ¼ oz. to one gallon of water.
 

Alpine Auricula

Hardy Alpine flowering perennial; evergreen, growing about 4 inches high. Several varieties are cultivated, the more vigorous sorts doing well in rich soil in shady borders. Propagation either by seeds or by offsets. The former are sown when ripe in late summer, or the following February. They should be sown thinly on sifted soil and only slightly covered, and the pots placed in a cool shaded frame. Offsets are taken in February. Re-pot after flowering in the following compost: turry loam two parts, cow manure one part, leaf-mould one part, silver sand half part, mixed with a few bits of broken charcoal.