Hardy Ferns

Many British and other hardy Ferns begin growing towards the end of April or early in May, and the uncoiling of the fronds may be taken as the signal for planting. Peat and loam in equal parts suit them.

Planting Chrysanthemums

Young Chrysanthemums, whether raised at home or bought from a florist, may be planted now. They may either be put direct into the places where they are to flower, or planted a yard apart in a reserve bed, and lifted as they show bud. When plants are being bought, the purchaser should make a point of choosing both early and late varieties, so that he may get a succession of bloom. The following are good:

Early

Horace Martin, yellow Madame Desgranges, white Orange Marie Masse.

Medium

Carrie, yellow Gertie, pink Goacher's Crimson Market White.

Late

Bronze Edith Pagram (s.) Edith Pagram, pink (s.) Flame, crimson (s) =singles.

Dahlias

May and June are the months for planting Dahlias. There is no need to hurry them into the ground early in May if the position is a cold one, as there is such a thing as a May frost; in case of doubt the grower should be on the safe side, and defer planting till the end of the month. But he may at least prepare his ground now, by digging it two feet deep and manuring it liberally. Likewise, he may order his plants, and stakes for supporting them. The following are good.

Cactus Dahlias

Dainty, pink, primrose centre Harbour light, orange Harold Peerman, yellow.

Ivernia, salmon fawn Radium, orange, suffused rose Ruby Grinsted, yellow and fawn.

Court Dahlias

Blush Gem, white, mauve tip Crimson King, red John Walker, white.

Mrs. Gladstone, blush Queen of the Belgians, cream R. T. Rawlings, yellow.

Fancy Dahlias

Comedian, crimson and yellow Gaiety, yellow, red and white.

M. Campbell, buff and crimson Novelty, rose and purple.

Single Dahlias

Columbine, rose Leslie Seale, lilac.

Miss Roberts, yellow The Bride, white.

Pompon Dahlias

Bacchus, crimson Guiding Star, white.

Nerissa, rose and white Sunny Daybreak, apricot.

Herbaceous And Rock Plants

The choicest kinds of herbaceous and rock plants are grown in pots by nurserymen, mainly with the object of being able to meet orders at a season when the plants could not be taken up safely from the open ground. This being so, it is still possible to plant perennials, but the sooner it is done the better.

Lenten Roses

These Hellebores are closely related to the Christmas Roses, but the majority have coloured flowers. Any opportunity that presents itself of seeing the plants in bloom should be taken advantage of to take notes of the best varieties, which may be planted in shady places in September. Meanwhile, I may note the following as charming sorts Caucasicus Albus, cream Frau Irene Heinemann, purple, „ Lutescens, light yellow spotted Gertrude Jekyll, white.