Cycas circinalis

Description

Like other cycads, the queen sago resembles a palm tree with its featherlike leaves arranged in a rosette that crowns a single trunk. It is a larger and more graceful version of its more commonly encountered cousin, the Japanese or king sago (Cycas revoluta). The queen sago's solitary trunk can grow to 20 ft (6.1 m) in height, more than twice that of the Japanese sago. In older specimens some branching may occur, producing very handsome plants with multiple crowns.

The dark green pinnate leaves grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) in length with narrow 12 in (30.5 cm) leaflets that curve gracefully downward. New leaves are light green and contrast dramatically with the older foliage. This species is dieocious, with male and female reproductive parts on separate plants. In late winter the male and female "cones" emerge from the centers of the plants. Pollen from the male cones fertilizes the female cones. A colorful show results later in the season when female plants produce large orange seeds in a conelike structure located in the center of the rosette of leaves.

Location

Queen sago (Cycas circinalis) is native to equatorial Africa. It is now a popular landscape item in frost free areas everywhere.

CultureQueen sago is tolerant of most soils, but prefers loose sandy soils with some organic matter and light bark or leaf mulch.

Light: Bright conditions are best. Queen sago can take full sun and moderate shade as well.

Moisture: Queen sago needs adequate moisture but will tolerate occasional short-lived droughts. Make sure the soil is well drained or roots will rot.

Propagation: The sagos are propagated by seed. Press seeds to half their depth in moist sand. Kept moist and in a warm environment, the seeds will usually germinate in 8 to 12 weeks.

UsageThis beautiful cycad looks great almost anywhere! Queen sago is great for entryways or by the patio. It is especially effective when used as a focal point on a large expanse of lawn. Pop one in a mixed shrub border to add contrasting texture.

Features

This is a great plant that is relatively easy to grow and that lends a real sense of the tropics to any environment. Queen sago is readily available for a reasonable price from garden centers and nurseries in frostfree areas of the country.

A flour is obtained from the seeds. This must be thoroughly washed and processed to remove toxins. There is evidence that long term use of such flour, even if properly prepared, may still result in paralysis and other neurological disorders over time.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Plant has become increasingly popular in recent years and I believe it deserves all the attention it’s been getting.

The Aroid family has given us more dependable house plants than any other group and Zamioculcas zamiifolia is no exception. This is a worthwhile house plant to add to your collection.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia makes a great room accent and practically thrives on neglect. This easy-going house plant is forgiving if you forget to water, tolerates low light, and rarely needs fertilized. Want more? It also seems to shrug off pests.

Growing from rhizomes, it has thick, upright stems bearing narrow, dark-green glossy leaves. Keep the leaves clean by gently wiping them with a damp cloth. Don’t use leaf shine products, which can damage the plant.

Small, insignificant flowers — consisting of a spadix surrounded by a spathe — may appear at the base of plants in summer, although Zamioculcas zamiifolia s rarely flower indoors.

A slow-grower indoors, Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant rarely needs repotted. Keep it in a small pot (no more than 2 in (5 cm) wider than the old pot) with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Overwatering Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a sure-fire way to kill it. To avoid soggy soil, use a fast-draining mix. You can add sand or perlite to a potting mix or use a cactus mix.

Watering Tip: Despite being drought-tolerant, your Zamioculcas zamiifolia  will be healthiest with regular watering. Water thoroughly then allow it to dry out a bit before watering again.

CAUTION: All parts of this plant are poisonous. Keep it away from children and pets who may play with or ingest this plant.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Care Tips

Origin: East Africa

Height: Slow-growing, but can reach up to 3 ft (90 cm) indoors. It grows much taller in its native habitat.

Light: Bright to low light. Keep it out of direct sunlight which can scorch its leaves.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top 2 in (5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot.

Humidity: Average indoor humidity.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C

Soil: Fast-draining medium works best to avoid root rot. Mix 1 part good-quality all-purpose potting mix and 1 part sharp sand or perlite. Cactus mix works well, too.

Fertilizer: Feed 4 times a year with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Division of rhizomes. Leaf cuttings can be propagated. Just pull a leaf off the stem and stick the cut end in moist potting medium. Don’t bury the leaf too deep or it will rot. Be patient — the cuttings can take several months to grow.

Retaining Walls

What do Retaining Walls refers to?

Retaining walls are the structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls like concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil.

Gravity Wall or Geogrid Reinforced Wall?

Several questions must be considered in order to build the proper type of retaining wall. As an example, is the soil sand, clay, or something in between? What is above the wall? is it a driveway or something heavier like a pool? Will the ground above or below the wall be level or sloped? What is the height of the wall? All of these factors will determine whether you will need a Gravity Retaining Wall or a Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall.

Gravity retaining walls are walls that depend on their own weight and setback to retain the soil and are typically shorter in height.  retaining walls are ideal for this type of wall, because as they are stacked together they lock into place to form a setback. This setback helps the wall support the pressure from the soils behind it.

Reinforced retaining walls are walls that use some type of reinforcement to give more strength to the retaining wall structure, thus improving its ability to retain the soils behind it. For SRW’s (Segmental Retaining Walls), we refer to this reinforcement as geogrid or grid. Geogrid is placed between courses of blocks in the wall and rolled back into the slope or hillside during installation to create a stronger and more stable soil mass. In layman’s terms, the blocks, the geogrid and the reinforced soil mass work together to make one large, heavy retaining wall structure. Sometimes grid is not a usable solution on a project due to space or other site conditions, so alternative reinforcement materials need to be used – such as no-fines concrete, soil nails or earth anchors. These types of reinforcement typically require a local engineer for the design and a certified contractor for the installation

What is Hardscape ?

Hardscape refers to the hard landscape elements in any landscape projects , especially any masonry work or woodwork , It is also considered one  of the two major sub-categories of landscaping

Hardscape elements  include paved areas, driveways, retaining walls, gazebos , pergolas, stairs and walkways any other landscaping made up of hard wearing materials such as wood, stone, concrete etc.

Also from an urban planning designer perspective, Hardscape can include most water features such asfountains and even small pools that is because these elements require a barrier to retain the water, instead of letting it drain into the surrounding soil.

When thinking about how to far to go with your hardscape project, it's wise to strike a good balance between the amount of hardscape and the amount of softscape

So , let's see what are the main hardscape elements for any projects ,

    

   ·         Stone retaining walls 

·         Concrete patios
·         Brick patios 
·         Flagstone patios
·         Tile patios
·         Stone walkways
·         Gravel paths
·         Stone landscape steps
·         Wrought-iron fences
·         Wooden fences
·         Wooden decks  
·         Wooden arbors 
·         Wooden gazebos 
·         Masonry and/or wooden pergolas 

Cyperus papyrus

Description
Long on beauty and history, papyrus has been known and used by Man for millennia. Soft green clouds of papyrus lined the Nile River during the time of the pharaohs. In the Bible the infant Moses was found among the bulrushes, as Cyperis papyrus is also called. Ancient Egyptians kept records of their pyramid building activities on papyrus sheets, from which we get the word "paper." Today papyrus is appreciated for its beauty and is often used in ornamental landscapes especially in pools, ponds and containers.
Like other sedges, the stem is triangular in cross section, and contains a white pith. Strips of this pith are soaked in water, then pounded together and dried to create paper. Like its cousin the umbrella sedge (Cyperus involucratus), the leaves of papyrus are short sheaths that wrap around only the lowest portion of each stem. The slender graceful stems arise from a network of thick woody rhizomes and grow to a height of 10 ft (3.1 m) tend to form large clumps of indeterminate width. They are topped by feathery clusters of wiry branched "spikes" that are 5-12 in (15.2-30.5 cm) in length and arranged in umbels (a spherical or flat-topped shape). A hundred or more of these multiply branched rays have their spikelets arranged to form a delicate sphere but these droop with age, as do we all. A small flower is held at the tip of each spikelet.

Location
Papyrus is native to the lakes and rivers of northern Africa, in particular, the countries of Egypt and Sudan. It is now a popular landscape plant, gracing fishponds and pools in frostfree areas around the world!

Culture
Papyrus stems grow in great masses in shallow water and wet soils. They spread quickly and extensively. They are less enthusiastic in poorer soils, and more polite about staying in bounds.

Light
Papyrus will do well in sun or partial shade.

Moisture
Likes wet boggy soil. Will grow in standing water.

Hardiness
Freezing temperatures will kill the top, but the plant will recover if the roots are mulched or are under water.

Propagation
The plant is easy to propagate; just divide the clumps. The stems tend to die out in the center of the clump to give a messy, unkempt look. Dig, divide and start new clumps to restore attractiveness.

Usage
Papyrus is a big plant and it needs space in order to be appreciated. Use this plant along the shores of lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams to create masses of hazy light green foliage. A single clump can serve as a focal point, or use in pairs to frame a scene. When used in smaller pools and fishponds, grow papyrus in containers placed underwater. This keeps it from invading other plants' territories and simplifies maintenance.
Features
Papyrus is a beautiful plant with a rich history and tradition. Where it can be grown it is both a striking accent in the environment and a great conversation piece. The Egyptian discovery of paper made from papyrus started a tradition of written records that enables us to peek at life in the ancient world. Not bad for a marsh weed!

Beaucarnea recurvata

Botanical name: Beaucarnea Recurvata

Plant type: Houseplant

Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun

Ponytail Palms are a great, long-lived indoor plant. (Despite it’s name and palm-like appearance, it’s not a true “palm.”)

This plant has long green leathery stems that develop as the plant ages. Indoors, they can reach up to 3 feet high. The only thing that is difficult about this plant is adapting to its watering needs.

Planting
Use a fast draining soil, such as cactus potting soil also A soil mix consisting of 2 parts loam to 1 part peat moss to 2 parts sand has been used successfully. To this mix, small gravel may be added to ensure good drainage
Normal room temperature is good for most of the year, but keep it cooler in the winter (50 to 55° F).
Find a location with bright light.
Care
Keep soil fairly dry. Water from spring through fall allowing soil to dry on the surface before re-watering. During the winter only water occasionally.
Fertilize in the spring and bring into brighter room for the summer months.

Pony Tail Palms are very slow growing and very drought tolerant. Plants can be watered every three weeks during the growing season and fertilized once during this period. During the winter months, the plants should be watered only enough to keep the foliage from wilting (this usually equates to 1 dose of water during the winter). Over-watering is the single most frequent cause of failure when growing Beaucarnea. The ponytail palm is a very slow growing tree
Re-potting every other year at the most is all the Ponytail Palm needs.
Pests
Overwatering can contribute to stem rot. If you withhold watering, the plant may be able to internally cure the problem.
Spider mites occur on the leaves, but can be fixed by rubbing a cloth of soap and water on the stems.
Wit & Wisdom
Another name for Ponytail Palm is Elephant Foot Palm.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum

Most philodendrons are climbers, but not this one. Tree philodendron (also called split leaf philodendron) grows as a large semiwoody shrub with enormous glossy leaves and a single erect unbranched stem that tends to fall over and sprawl when the plant gets large. The robust stem bears stout aerial rootlets between conspicuous leaf scars. The leaves are up to 3 ft (0.9 m) long, deeply dissected into many wavy-margined lobes and held on long petioles. Older and larger plants develop leaves that are more deeply dissected and more ruffled. The inflorescence consists of a 1 ft (0.3 m) long purplish red spathe enclosing an upright spadix with many tiny petalless flowers. Specimens grown indoors rarely flower, however.

Tree philodendron can get as large as 15 ft (4.6 m) tall and 15 ft (4.6 m) wide with a stem 6 in (17.8 cm) or more in diameter. Windowleaf or ceriman (Monstera deliciosa) is superficially similar to tree philodendron, but it has actual holes (windows) in the leaves instead of just indentations and lobes.
'German Selloum' has very narrow leaf lobes, and 'Variegatum' has leaves with yellow markings. Numerous hybrids with other philodendron species have been developed as well. The old name, Philodendron selloum, is still frequently seen.

Location
Philodendron bipinnatifidum, the tree philodendron is native to the rainforests of Paraguay and southeastern Brazil.

Culture
Tree philodendron grows best in fairly moist, well drained, fertile soil. It requires little care except occasional grooming should lower leaves become discolored, and watering in times of dry weather. Take care in placing a tree philodendron, though, lest it encroach on walkways or grow too close to buildings; a small specimen will get big!

Light

 Philodendrons don't like full sun. Grow tree philodendron in dappled or partial shade. Indoors, position in bright light, but not direct sun. Sunlight filtered through a curtain is good. Variegated cultivars need more light.

Moisture

Not at all drought tolerant, tree philodendron should get regular watering. Keep the soil moderately moist by watering regularly. In the winter, keep the soil just barely moist. Tree philodendron has thinner leaves than most species in the genus and therefore needs a little more humid atmosphere. House plants should be misted regularly if the air is very dry. Place an electric room humidifier near the plant in the winter.

Propagation

 Philodendrons are easy to start from cuttings. To propagate this nonclimber, take shoots from the base of the plant's stem and root in potting medium.

Usage
Tree philodendron is a popular container plant for public buildings and offices, but not for small rooms! Use this impressive foliage plant in a large hall or a spacious room.

Features
For a tropical foliage splash, tree philodendron is a winner. It is most effective standing alone or in combination with other lush-leafed plants such as gingers and bananas. Since it prefers some shade, tree philodendron is superb for a courtyard or against a wall in a pool yard. It can be used in beds under trees to soften the stark trunks and serve as a foliar background for lower plantings. Caladiums planted in a drift in front of a tree philodendron can be quite effective. Great in containers - indoors and out!

Philodendrons have been used as house plants for centuries. There are more than 200 species and even more hybrids.

Lawn Problems & How to Fix it

How healthy is your lawn? have you asked your self this question  before ?

Even the most carpet-like lawn can develop problems. If your lawn isn’t healthy and you can’t diagnose the trouble, dig up a patch of soil and take it to a reliable nursery or the local Cooperative Extension Service for analysis. Here are some common situations:

Problem: Grass won’t grow under a tree.

Solution: In northern climates, consider planting shade-tolerant fine fescues. In the South, try tall fescue.

Problem: Grass won’t grow on a slope.

Solution: If the slope is hot and dry, more regular, deep watering might help. If you can’t get grass established, try laying sod or having a professional “hydroseed” — plant seeds encapsulated in a special material to keep them from drying out.

Problem: Lawn is overrun with weeds.

Solution: Apply herbicide in spring and fall. Do both because each application kills different weeds. If the problem is severe and doesn’t respond in one or two years, you may have to kill the lawn with a non-selective herbicide and then replant.

Problem: Lawn has bare patches.

Solution: Try reseeding these areas. In spring or early fall, scratch the bare patch with a ground rake and sprinkle with lawn seed. Mark off the area with stakes and strings, and water gently. Keep the area moist for the next few weeks, watering daily if necessary. If high traffic is the problem, consider creating a path or patio surface

Problem: Lawn has brown spots or weblike threads.

Solution: Fusarium patch makes 2 to 12-inch-wide brown spots or weblike threads in thatch and grass in early spring. Minimize shade and fertilization; improve drainage; apply fungicide in early fall.

Problem: Lawn is dotted with bleached or gray spots.

Solution: Dollar spot causes numerous such spots to appear. Spots may merge to make larger, straw-colored areas, while cobweb-like growths may appear with morning dew. Fertilize; apply fungicide.

Problem: Lawn is dotted with small orange pustules on blades.

Solution: Rust is the cause of these orange, smudgy spots. Fertilize grass and keep well watered. Mow frequently and remove clippings. Apply fungicide if condition persists.

Problem: Lawn has green circular patches that die off.

Solution: The patches are called fairy rings, which sometimes feature mushrooms as well. Aerate the lawn; apply fertilizer. Keep the lawn wet for three to five days.

Problem: Lawn develops large patches of brown grass in late summer.

Solution: Dig up some of the brown areas and look underneath for small grubs, the likely cause. Apply Diazinon, isofenphos, or chlorpyrifos. Apply just after eggs are laid; check with a reliable nursery or local Cooperative Extension Service for the correct time to do this.

Problem: Multiplying mushrooms

Solution: The bad news is, mushrooms are nearly impossible to get rid of. According to turf expert Bob Mugaas, “You can certainly pull them.” This won't permanently rid your lawn of mushrooms, but it can give you temporary relief. You can also make your lawn less hospitable to fungi by correcting drainage problems and eliminating decaying organic matter. Grind down stumps, rake up grass clippings, dig up buried lumber, aerate, dethatch and replace old mulch.

Problem: Seasonal swamp

Solution: Convert a low, wet area to a rain garden with water-tolerant plants.Plant it with shrubs and perennials that tolerate pooling water as well as periods of drought.The amended soil and water-loving plants capture the excess water, and it slowly percolates into the earth instead of running into the storm sewer or sitting on the surface of your lawn.

Garden Retaining Wall Ideas

A retaining wall is a specially designed structure that holds soil on one side and is free standing on the other. They help to accommodate changes in grade in a landscape with uneven topography. These walls often allow steeper cuts to a slope to yield more usable space on a cut-and-fill hillside lot. Hard working retaining walls can be key to creating a level sports lawn or driveway too.
Retaining walls are also used on level ground to raise living spaces above the surrounding ground plain. A well designed retaining wall can elevate planting areas for improved drainage while at the same time creating a seatwall. There is no end to the benefits of these heavy barriers, but they can be costly and must be strictly constructed to prevent failure.

What makes retaining walls so challenging is their strength, which is best illustrated by the incredible loads they carry, known as lateral earth pressure. This is created by more than just the weight of soil. Water behind the wall causes buildup of hydrostatic pressure which is the reason for most wall failures. Only through adequately designed drainage structures and waterproofing can the best designed wall survive over time.

Retaining walls are divided into two types divided by their height. Walls under four feet are designed and built by your contractor or per a landscape architect's drawing. Retaining walls over four feet require much larger footings due to the increased lateral earth pressure. It must be designed by an engineer who will specify the size and extent of footings and the amount of steel reinforcement required according to strict loading calculations.

Building permits often require these structural calculations due to the damage caused by retaining wall failures. This not only destroys your investment, it can cause significant damage to people and property, which puts the homeowner at serious liability. This is particularly important where slopes are unstable and the climate suffers periods of heavy rains that can lead to super saturated soils and catastrophic mudslides. California communities may require additional earthquake related design criteria.

Retaining walls can be a do-it-yourself project when constructed of wood. These short timber walls are an affordable solution to erosion and runoff control. Concrete block retaining wall systems are growing in popularity due to their improved aesthetics and single wall construction that requires less surface area to achieve optimum strength. Dry stone walls are a regional art form and those from colonial times can still be functional today.

The time tested veneer wall is the landscape architect's choice for high end landscaping. With its functional concrete masonry unit (CMU) core, there is no end to the options for swanky stone or brick veneer. This choice offers the designer unlimited options for making each retaining wall unique to a homesite and allowing it to lend style to outdoor living spaces.

Always remember that however beautiful these walls may ultimately be, they are a powerful structure that must function as designed. This can only happen when they are composed of the proper materials and constructed by quality contractors. Get these things right and you’ll be able to count on your financial investment maintaining both beauty and integrity for many decades to come

Foxtail Palm

The Foxtail palm (scientific name Wodyetia bifurcata) is one of the most popular and widely distributed exotic flowering plants in tropical and subtropical regions today. The Wodyetia bifurcata was little known 30 years ago. It was found only in a very small part of far northeastern Australia, Queensland and considered as a very rare palm.

In 1978 Wodyeti identified and revealed the Foxtail palm to the world. The Foxtail has become one of the most popular landscape palms in the United States and Asia. Also common in Middle east and commonly found with Bismarck palms in landscaping.

The Wodyetia bifurcata is named the Foxtail palm because the palm’s plumose fronds have the appearance of a fox’s tail. The scientific name is a tribute to Wodyei, who first revealed this pretty plant to botanics and the world.

The beautiful ornamental grows moderately to a height of 25-30 feet. Under proper conditions it can grow 2-3 feet per year. The Wodyetia bifurcata is a solitary palm  with a crown of eight to ten arching, plumose and fluffy fronds.  It has a neat appearance and is very similar to the Royal palm, but not large. It bears white flowers at the base of the crown. The fruits are large, oval-shaped, green in the early stages and orange-red when ripe.

The Foxtail is adaptable to many environments. The beautiful tropical plant is moderately salt resistant and drought tolerant. It grows best in full sun and requires moderate watering. The Wodyetia bifurcata is hardy to 27 F. It can get some damage, but will recover. There are no major pest problems.

The Foxtail palm can be used as a single specimen in a landscaping design or planted together with other Foxtail palms. It also can make a nice container plant for patios and decks.

How To Remove Weeds From The Lawn

        In each Garden Lawns can quickly be spoiled when taken over by unruly weeds. Weed management in lawns and grassy areas can be difficult to achieve without harming the existing lawn if you don't know what you're doing. Here are some expert tips to remove those weeds and get your lawn growing strong.

·          Fertilize your lawn effectively to crowd out weeds before they sprout. Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to get the right balance for your yard. Too little and your lawn will be sparse and allow weeds to thrive; too much and unwanted weeds like crabgrass will flourish.

·          Water your lawn infrequently with deep soakings. Your lawn needs about one inch of water per week. Frequent light lawn watering leads to shallow roots which helps many annual weeds germinate.

·          Get a dandelion removal tool to ensure that you get the entire root out of the ground. Once you've removed the roots, reseed the holes with grass seed to prevent new weeds from taking root.

·          Hand-pull weeds while they're young if your lawn is small enough. This is the most effective way to correct a weed problem before it gets out of hand.

·          Use herbicides only as a last resort. If you need to use an herbicide, choose a post-emergence systemic selective version. Selective herbicides will only kill certain weeds while preserving your grass rather than killing any plant they come in contact with.

·          Use a non-selective herbicide to spot-treat resistant weeds only and avoid spraying the lawn surrounding the weed as much as possible.

·          Apply a pre-emergence herbicide twice a year. Pre-emergence herbicides kill certain weeds before they sprout.

·          Dig out areas of your lawn that have been completely taken over by weeds and start over. Determine what factors may have caused the weed takeover to begin with such as using the wrong kind of turf grass for your region or improper irrigation, fertilization or mowing. Remove and destroy the existing weeds, work the soil, remove weed debris, add soil amendments and fertilizer and them level and firm the area. Irrigate and patch with sod, seed or plugs.

Flowering Pot Plants

Flowering pot plants, often called florist or gift plants , it plays an important role in the modern living . during the cold , dark , winter months they provide a very gratifying splash of color at a time when there are no garden flowers to cut and those available in the florists are too expensive for many people to buy . there are , in addition , plants that bloom in the spring and summer . it is therefore possible to maintain in a form of color accent in the décor of a room throughout all the seasons.

The essential difference between house and pot plants is that the leaves of the latter fall thus, after the flower fade , they have no decorative value . many of them are discarded at this point but many with care and attention can be preserved to be attractive once again the following year . although this is much more difficult for flat-dwellers and those who have no garden, it can be achieved if storage space is available , particularly if boxes of moderately moist peat , into which the pots can be plunged can be provided and stored in a light , but not sunny place.

The most crucial period in the life of a flowering pot plant is during the days after it has been bought . if the supplier has not kept it under house conditions or in a green house , it is a mistake to bring the plant immediately into a warm room. For about a week it should be kept in a cool , light place , where the temperature is about 50F(10C) , with very little watering , although it might be beneficial to spray it with tepid water . if it begins to wilt after this , when put into a warm room , it should be given a few more days under these conditions.

Achimenes (Cupid Bower):

It is a tuberous , summer-flowering plant . its funnel-shaped flowers , which may be white , red or violet, grow from axils of the leaves . its slender stalks require staking. It must be kept in a warm, light room, but not in direct sunshine, and watered with moderation , keeping water off its flowers and foliage. It likes , however , a moist atmosphere and does best if its pot is plunged in a second container filled with moist peat . once it has flowered , it should be allowed to dry out , its stems cut down and , if desired , the tubers removed for re-potting in spring . the latter need a temperature of 65F (18C) to start them into growth.

Astilbe (spiraea):

These plants bear large plumes of white , pink or red flowers, which rise above their light – green foliage. They are not difficult to grow if they are placed in a room where there is plenty of sun and are watered freely when coming into flower . after flowering , the more hardy astilbe, such as Astilbe rosea , and the varieties peach blossom and Queen Alexandra can be transferred to the garden and dug up and re-potted in early spring . the more tender A.Japonica should be plunged into the soil and brought indoors again before the frost comes.

Azalea indica :

The many varieties of Indian azaleas are the most valuable of all flowering house plants , because they are laden with red , pink or white blooms during the winter months . many people find them difficult to grow in the house , but success can be attained if they are kept in a well-lit , airy spot, out of direct sunlight . they need to be kept fairly warm and out of draughts. It is advantageous to surround the pot with damp peat . they require to be kept continuously moist and are best watered by allowing the pot to stand up to the rim in water .it is also beneficial to feed them regularly during the blooming season . if the dead flowers are removed without any delay , the following season is lengthened.

Azalea indica can be preserved by plunging the pot into the soil out of doors in may , after the danger of frost has passed . here it can remain until autumn . when it is necessary to repot , a good medium is lime-free , sterilized soil containing a proportion of pine-needle peat .

Begonias:

Most of the hybrid begonias with their large , colorful flowers provide a splendid summer and autumn display . Christmas begonias, are winter flowering . begonias are fairly easy to grow if they kept in a room with good light , at a temperature of not lower than 55F (13C) and are watered freely when in flower . they object to gas fumes

Calceolaria (slipper flower):

Grown in pots, calceolaria usually flower in spring and summer and , after fading , are discarded . they are dwarf plants with large clusters of red , orange or yellow flowers , with distinctive markings and large , oval-shaped , pointed , rich green leaves . they need cool , airy , will-lit conditions , out of direct sunlight . A shady windowsill is ideal . they should be watered freely and fed with liquid manure occasionally when in flower.