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 glass; 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 Palustris, Osmunda Regalis, Parnassia Palustris, 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 pricked off into another bed
until ready for planting, as strong, sturdy 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 glass. 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.