PLANTS FOR ROOM DECORATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1916, 15 April 1880, Page 4

PLANTS FOR ROOM DECORATION.

(From the “Fi’ld ’’) Tho increasing love for fl ’wcra and plants lenders tho latter much sought after for the embellishment of rooms, and, ns there are so many used that are not a danced to stand the treatment and confined an inseparable from such situations, and which therefore die or dwindle and cause divipnoiatineut, I have thought a short notice of a few of the best may bo of use to cultivators in musing a selection. To start with, I know of no grander or more cheeiful-1 oking objects than many of the palms, whioti are so tenacious of life that there io no fear of losing them, and co'H-’g is finer or mere suitable for forming tho cere re of a group, for which purpose their handsome spreading foliage renders them tpsaialiy a lasted. Many hare an idea that t . grow‘a palm great space is required, which is the ca-*e as regards some of the species; hut there are others that may be confined to a small size fc-r years, without in any way looting starved or losing their beauty. 'Oao of the most elegant for a warm roam is Arena hvrscons, which has handsome polished j,'lb« slurs, that show up in pleasing contra-t wi-h (he ligat green of the fronds'. Cham®-ops Frrturmis likewise a very di oirs. tie Sind, mu th hardier than tho one abort mined, and quite of a Afferent habit, tho fronds bring fan s’-np- d and nicely divided. Seafort hia slogans is a noblc-look-ing palm, hut a little too Urge for windows. Bhapia flabelliformis is quite a minute kind, that forms a very pretty ornament, and come in handy for table decoration. Boaides there there arc Latnnia horhonice, Aroca aapidaand Baueri, Phce ix reclicataaid sylvcstris, any of which, got in a small state, may be kept in 6in. or Bm. pots for yea-s. To associate with tho palms, Aspidistra lurida Tariegata is one of tho m ,st set viceablo things that can be had, as it is always in condition bids deflmce to dust, a-d will endure the bad fumes of gas, end tho vitiated air arising therefrom. It is about tho only plant that looks at, all healthy in tho Westminster Aquarium, end 1 have seen it in windows in the smoky streets of London, flourishing where scarcely anything else of the kind would live. Being as near hardy as possible, it is indifferent to draughts and o dd uir, and all it wants is plenty of water during the summer, and its leaves sponged occasionally to give them a clean appearance, and prevent, tho pares from being blacked up by deposit sof dust. The leaves being marked with cre>.my white, this Aspidistra forms a most pleasing contrast associated with Drv.cte ms, and I know of no more effective window ornaments than a pair of the one standing one on each site of tho other. Drucamas, unfortunately, are too tender for winter, except in very warm rooms ; but all through tho summer months and far into the autumn there are few things that can rival them.

Another beautiful ornamental-foliaged plant that is not scon nearly so f rquentiy us its merits deserve is the Coprosrna Baueriaua, whioh has remarkably handsome foliage about the size and shape tf the smooth-leaved holly, and quite half the surface is of a rich yellow or golden color, and so bright and shiny as to present tho appearanee of having been polished. Like rtnny others, and more particularly the two of the same character already named, it stands the atmosphere of a dwelling without suffering, and with care may even be grown to perfection therein. There is one point in the cultivation of this Orprosma worth remarking, which is that peat soil, given it to grow in, brings out its variegation best. I remember, some lime since, Mr Oroucber writing very highly of tho Imantophyllum mihiatum us a room plant, er co when I have hud experience of it, and would strongly recommend it to anyone that has space for it to develops as a most desirable acquisition ; for, in additi m to its highly ornamental darkgreen foliage, it sends up large heads of magnificent lily-like flowers, about tho size of those of the well-known Y-fllota purpurea. Besides those good qualities, it has tho additional merit of being able to endure rough treatment, and withstands being kept dry or wet better than most other plaid s; but, for ail that, it is a moisture loving subject, and Only flourishes really well by giving it plenty of water after active growth commences. For forming the centre of a group there is nothing to surpass Q-revillea robusta or Acacia lo part ha, both of which have remarkably hu-'daomo foliage, almost as much divided, and as -'hgant and graceful in appearance, as most iu-ns. Both of these may bo raised from seed at any time. To have a display of flowering subjects, the best way is to grow many of the things in the open, as fnchias and zonalo pelargoniums for instance. Fucb.ias, however, must, when stood out, have a purely shady position, as otherwise the growth is too hard and woody ; but the pelargoniums, on the other band, cannot well have too much sun, as the tendency of these is just the other way, and the point with them therefore is to consolidate the shoots, which induces free bloom. Among flowering plants that may be raised from seed, I would specially mention the mimolus as particularly deserving, for since it has been so greatly improved by hybridising, the blooms are at least double tho size of tho old-fashioned kinds, and are beautifully marked and blotched with the richest of colours. Being fond of shade and moisture, they just suit windows, as does also their trailing habit, which fi f s them cither for suspending in light wire baskets or for drooping over stands, in either of which positions they have a very graceful appearnoe.