Hovea Celsi.--A greenhouse shrub, which is evergreen and elegant when
in flower in June. A sandy loam and peat soil is most suitable, and
it may be increased by cuttings planted in sand under a hand-glass.
Height, 3 ft.
Humea.--A remarkably handsome and graceful plant, the leaves of which
when slightly bruised yield a strong odour. It is equally suitable for
the centre of beds or large borders, and placed in pots on terraces or
the lawn it is very effective. The seed should be raised on a gentle
hotbed, then potted off and kept in the greenhouse till the second
year, when it may be turned out into a warm situation. It generally
succeeds better in such a position than in the greenhouse. Flowers in
July. Height, 6 ft. to 8 ft.
Humulus Japonicus.--(Japanese Hop).--A hardy annual Hop of rapid
growth, the leaves of which are splashed with white. Useful for
covering arbours, verandahs, etc. A deep, loamy soil suits it best.
Increased by seed sown in gentle heat in February, and gradually
hardened off. Flowers in July. Height, 20 ft.
Hutchinsia Alpina.--This small alpine creeper is a profuse bloomer,
its glistening white flowers being produced at all seasons. It grows
in moist vegetable mould, and bears transplanting at any season. Care,
however, is required to prevent its roots over-running and choking
other things. Height, 2 in.
Hyacinths.--May be grown in pots, in glasses, or in beds and borders.
The soil should be rich and light. Good loam mixed with old manure and
a little leaf-mould and sand suits them very well. If intended to be
grown in pots the best time to begin potting is early in September,
putting more in at intervals of two or three weeks until the end of
December. One bulb is sufficient for a 5-in. or 6-in. pot, or three
may be placed in an 8-in. pot. The soil under the bulb should not be
pressed down. The top of the bulb should be just above the surface.
Place the pots on a bed of ashes in a cold frame, put a small inverted
pot over the top of the bulb, and cover the whole with cocoa-nut fibre
or cinder-ashes to the depth of about 4 in. In about a month roots
will have formed with about 1 in. of top growth. The plants may then
be taken out, gradually exposed to the light, and finally removed to
the conservatory or sunny window. The doubles do best in pots.
For growing in glasses select the firmest and best-shaped bulbs.
Those with single blossoms are preferable, as they are of stronger
constitution than the doubles. Fill the glasses with pure pond or rain
water, so that the bulbs just escape touching it, and put a piece
of charcoal in each glass, and change the water when it becomes
offensive, taking care that the temperature is not below that which is
poured away. Stand the glasses in a cool, dark place for three or four
weeks until the roots have made considerable progress, then gradually
inure to the full light. September is a good time to start the growth.
When planted in beds or borders, place the bulbs about 4 in. deep and