Part 4 (1/2)

Biota.--_See_ ”Thuya.”

Bird Cherry.--_See_ ”Cerasus.”

Blackberries.--To obtain good crops plant in a poor, dry soil on raised banks facing south. The bushes should be planted 6 ft. apart.

Bladder Nut.--_See_ ”Staphylea.”

Blanket Flower.--_See_ ”Gaillardia.”

Bleeding Heart.--_See_ ”Dielytra.”

Bocconia Cordata.--Ornamental hardy perennials. They do best on a loamy soil, and may be increased by suckers taken from established plants in the summer and placed in rich soil; or by cuttings planted in sand, in a gentle heat under gla.s.s; also by seed sown during the autumn months. They appear to the greatest advantage when grown as solitary plants, away from other tall-growing flowers. The variety B.

Frutescens has an exceedingly pretty foliage. August is the month in which they flower. Height, 6 ft.

Bog or Marsh Land.--By planting a few of the more distinct species adapted for such positions, bogs or marshes may be made interesting.

The following plants are suitable:--Arundo Donax, Bambusa Fortunei, Cypripedium Spectabile, Dondia Epipactis, Drosera Rotundifolia, Gunnera Scabra, Iris Kaempferi, Iris pseud-Acorus, Juncus Zebrinus, Myosotis Pal.u.s.tris, Osmunda Regalis, Parna.s.sia Pal.u.s.tris, Pinguicula Vulgaris, Polygonum Sieboldi, and Sarracenia Purpurea.

Boltonia Asteroides.--This is a hardy perennial which flowers in September. The same treatment that is given to Asters is suitable for this plant. Height, 3 ft.

Bomarea.--A useful greenhouse climber, the flowers of which are valuable for cutting, as they last a long time in water. It thrives best in a mixture of sand, peat, and loam.

Borago Laxiflora.--This very choice Boragewort is a trailing hardy biennial. It produces lovely pale pendent flowers from June to August, will grow in almost any soil, and can be increased by seed or division. Height, 1 ft.

Borecole, Kale, or Curled Greens.--Sow towards the end of March or early in April. Plant out as soon as ready in moderately rich soil in rows 3 ft. apart, and the plants 2 ft. apart in the rows. If the seed is sown thickly, the young plants must be p.r.i.c.ked off into another bed until ready for planting, as strong, st.u.r.dy plants always produce the best results. They may succeed peas without any fresh manure.

Boronias.--Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. A single plant of B.

Megastigma is sufficient to perfume a good-sized house. B. Drummondi, Elatior, Heterophylla, and Serrulata are all good plants. The pots should be filled with sandy peat and be well drained. They are propagated by cuttings taken at a joint and placed under gla.s.s. May is their flowering month. Height, 2 ft.

Bougainvillea.--A greenhouse evergreen climber, thriving best in a loamy soil. It flowers in June, and may be increased by cuttings.

Height, 15 ft.

Bousingaultia Ba.s.selloides.--A rapidly growing climber, beautiful both in flower and foliage, the former of which is pure white, produced in July in elegant racemes from 6 in. to 8 in. long. It is nearly hardy; very suitable for a cool greenhouse. Any garden soil suits it. Height, 6 ft.

Bouvardias.--Favourite stove plants. They are propagated by pieces of the thick fleshy roots, about 2 in. long, inserted in light, rich, sandy soil, and plunged in a bottom-heat. Plant out in May in rich, light soil, cutting back all the over-vigorous growth, so as to form a well-balanced plant. At the approach of cold weather they may be taken up and potted off, using small pots to prevent them damping off. In a warm greenhouse they will flower all the winter.

Box Edging.--A deep loam suits the box best. Cuttings should be taken early in autumn. Dig a trench, and make the bottom firm and even. Set the young plants thinly and at regular intervals, leaving the tops 1 in. above the surface. Tread the soil firmly against them. Cover with 1 in. of gravel to prevent them growing too luxuriantly. The end of June is a good time for clipping. May be transplanted early in spring or late in autumn. (_See also_ ”Buxus.”)

Brachycome (_Swan River Daisy_).--Beautiful little half-hardy annuals bearing cineraria-like flowers that open well in the border in summer.

If well watered in autumn and removed to the greenhouse they will continue to bloom during early winter. Sow the seed as for ordinary half-hardy annuals in rich, light mould, covering them sparingly.

Bloom in May. Height, 6 in.

Bravoa Geminiflora (_Twin Flower_).--This hardy bulbous plant bears lovely racemes of coral-coloured flowers in July. A rich loam suits it best. Height, 1 ft.

Briza (_Quaking Gra.s.s_).--There are several varieties of this ornamental hardy annual gra.s.s. Briza Gracillis is slender, and very pretty both in a green and dried state. Briza Maxima bears large and handsome panicles. Each variety should be sown in pots, or on a sheltered bed out of doors, early in spring. Height, 1 ft.

Broccoli.--Requires a heavy, deep, rich soil, and liquid manure during growth. For earliest crop sow thinly in beds early in March, giving a little protection if necessary. Successional sowings should be made to the end of June, to produce a constant supply till Cauliflowers are ready. Transplant, when large enough to handle, about 2 ft. from each other. Keep the ground free from weeds, and earth the plants up as they advance in growth. Sow Purple Sprouting Broccoli in May for late spring supplies.