such as are thoroughly worthy of pot culture, and quite or nearly hardy; such as may be improved by the protection glass will afford, yet will not require heat for their preservation through the winter The prudent cultivator will, however, be provided with mats, or some other equally handy protecting material, to put over the glass during severe frosts, and at such times will take care to put his most valuable plants on their sides, on the ground, under the stage, with a little dry hay sprinkled over them. We may now choose for the collection palms, bamboos, yuccas, agaves, and a host of herbaceous and alpine plants that flower during the winter and spring months. As a low roof is preferable for plants that grow in herbaceous tufts, it is not desirable to speculate heavily in such things as palms and agaves; yet there must be a variety, and a few plants of noble character will help to bring out, by contrast, the peculiar beauty of the flowering alpines. It is best to begin humbly, and become accustomed to the house and the plants before venturing on any great expenditure, and therefore the list which follows comprises only sixty of the cheapest and most beautiful plants for the purpose. Obtain those sixty first, and give them twelve months’ care, and then launch out boldly if you will. Our aim is always to prevent such as ride hobbies in our fields from riding into pitfalls, or by any uphill course that shall destroy their zeal by weariness. We shall arrange the plants alphabetically under their botanical names only, as they are known to the nursery trade.
Achillea millefolium rosea, fol. var.; Acorus gramineus, fol. var.; Arum Italicum; Aspidistra lurida, fol. var.; Aubrietia purpurea, fol. var.; Bambusa Fortunei, fol. var.; Carex pendula, fol. var.; Centaurea argentea; Chamœrops humilis; Cineraria platanifolia; Convallaria majalis, fol. striatis; Cyclamen coum album; Cyclamen marmoratum; Cypripedium calceolus; Cypripedium spectabile; Dactylis glomerata elegantissima; Dianthus hyhridus Marie Pare; Dianthus hybridus striatiflorus; Dielytra spectabilis; Dielytra spectahilis alba; Dodecatheon meadia; Echeveria glauca; Echeveria metallica; Erythronium dens canis roseum; Eucomis punctata; Funkia Japonica lutea, fol. var.; Funkia ovata, fol. var.; Funkia undulata, fol. var.; Goodyera pubescens; Astilbe (Spiræa) Japonica, fol. var.; Iris reticulata; Ligularia Kempfæri; Lilium candidum luteis
