Neuvusia Alabamensis.—A tamarix-like shrub,
bearing clusters of white flowers early in spring.
Will grow in any soil or situation. Increased
by cuttings placed in sand under glass.
Nicotiana (Tobacco Plants).—Very
showy half-hardy annuals. N. Affinis bears long,
tubular, sweet-scented, white flowers in July, and
grows to the height of 3 ft. N. Virginica produces
immense leaves and pink flowers, and the plants are
4 to 5 ft. high. The seed is sown on a hotbed
in spring, and when the second or third leaf appears
the plants are put into small pots and placed in a
frame till the end of May, when they are transferred
to the border.
Nierembergia (Cup Flowers).—These
elegant half-hardy annuals grow well in any light
soil, but prefer a mixture of sandy loam and leaf-mould.
Sow the seed in March or April in slight heat, harden
off, and plant out in May as soon as all fear of frost
is over. They flower in July. Height, 9
in. to 1 ft.
Nierembergia Rivularis.—This herbaceous
plant is of a creeping nature; it has deep green ovate
foliage and large saucer-shaped white flowers.
It needs a moist position, and is increased by division.
The bloom is produced throughout June, July, and August.
Height, 3 in.
Nigella.—These hardy annuals, a species
of Fennel-flower, are both curious and ornamental.
Perhaps the best known among them is N. Hispanica,
or Love-in-a-Mist. They only require sowing in
the open in spring—but not before the middle
of March—to produce flowers in July and
August. Height, 9 in. to 2 ft.
Night-scented Stocks.—See “Mathiola.”
Nolana.—Hardy annuals that are suitable
for the border, as they are very showy when in flower.
The seed should be sown in spring on a gentle hotbed,
and the plants transferred to the garden about the
middle of May. N. Atriplicifolia may be sown in
the open in the autumn. They flower in July and
August. Height, 6 in. to 2 ft.
North Borders, Plants suitable for.—Hardy
Camellias, Chrysanthemums, black and green Tea Plant,
Rhododendrons, Ferns, Red Currants, Morello Cherries,
and spring and summer cuttings of all sorts.
Nuttallia.—This early-flowering shrub is
only hardy in the south and south-west of our country.
It requires a light, rich soil, and may be increased
by division. Racemes of white flowers are produced
during February and March. Height, 2 ft.
Nycterina.—Exquisite little half-hardy
plants, suitable for pots or rock-work. The seed
should be sown early in spring on a gentle hotbed,
and the young plants transferred to the pots or open
ground at the end of May, using a light, rich soil.
Height, 3 in.
Nymphaea Alba.—A hardy aquatic perennial,
frequently found in our ponds. It flowers in
June, and may be increased by dividing the roots.
Height, 1 ft.
Odontoglossum Grande.—A most beautiful
orchid, delighting in a temperature of from 60 to
70 degrees and an abundance of water during summer,
but good drainage is essential. The blooms are
yellow, spotted and streaked with venetian red, and
are often 6 in. across. The pots should be two-thirds
filled with crocks, then filled up with fibrous peat
and sphagnum moss. During winter only a very little
moisture should be given.
