Garden Notes - Heliotrope to Laghenalia

Heliotrope or Cherry Pie

This exquisitely fragrant flower is often grown on pillars or walls in conservatories. In February the shoot of old plants should be well cut back. When growth begins, re-potted in a compost of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand in equal parts. Water carefully until flowers form, then keep roots moist, and apply liquid manure weekly. Nip off points when shoot are a few inches long to encourage bushy growth. Prune and re-pot annually. Cuttings of young shoot may be rooted in spring in sandy soil in propagating frame.
 

Hippeastrum or Amaryllis

These attractive stove bulbous plants are best potted in February, the bulbs being buried about two-thirds of their depth in a compost of turfy loam two parts, river sand one part, and a few crushed bones; good drainage being essential. From February to September keep in a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees, and water freely when necessary. From September to February keep dry and cool. Apply liquid manure when flower buds appear. Re-pot every three or four years, top-dressing annually. Hippeastrums may be grown from seed sown after ripening, or in the following spring.
 

Hyacinth

For successful culture in pots select hard well-ripened bulbs, and pot early in compost of turfy loam three parts, and decayed manure two parts mixed with a little silver sand. Pots should be well drained, and bulbs planted firmly so that necks just show above soil. Plunge into coal ashes or fiber refuse until growth appears, when they may be brought into greenhouse. Water liberally, and keep near glass, ventilating carefully on sunny days to ensure sturdy growth. To secure satisfactory blooms bulbs should be purchased annually.
 

Hydrangea

Take cuttings of Hydrangea hortensis in May, remove lower leaves and pot singly in leaf-mould and peat with a little sand. Keep moist in frame heated to about 60 degrees, ventilating occasionally. Transfer into 3 inch and 6 inch pots in due course in compost of equal parts turfy loam, peat, decayed manure and leaf-mould. Well water 6 inch pots, and set in shade in open until October. House in cold pit, water occasionally, and shelter from frost. In early spring prune carefully, shift to 7 ½ inch pots with richer soil, and set in temperature of 45 to 55 degrees, watering freely.
 

Lachenalia or Cape Cowslip

These pretty bulbous plants are easily grown and are especially suitable for cultivation in baskets in the greenhouse. Bulbs should be potted in August, about half-a-dozen being planted ½ inch deep in a 5 inch pot, in a compost of mould, decayed manure and sand one part each. Place in cold frame, and cover with fiber refuse until November; then remove to heated greenhouse (45 to 55 degrees). Water when growth begins, and keep close to glass. Apply weak stimulants when buds appear, discontinuing when blooms open.