Everlasting

Everlasting (Rhodanthe) - Charming half-hardy annuals from Australia, valuable as border flowers and for winter bouquets. They are all of slender growth, 1 to 1 1/2 feet high, and have glaucous-grey foliage and pretty flowers. The original species, R. Manglesi, has fine rose-colored blossoms with yellow centres, and of this there is a double variety. R. maculata has a deep crimson ring encircling the eye of the flower; and there is a pure white variety. R. atro-sanguinea differs considerably from R. maculata, being not only dwarfer, but more branched. The flowers, of a bright magenta color, are rather smaller than those of maculata, but average 1 inch in diameter. It is rather less hardy than maculata, but sufficiently hardy for the open air. All these kinds should be sown thinly in heat in pots in February or March. In the southern counties they may also be sown in the open air in May on warm borders in good soil. Sow them in a warm, open position, and a good light soil—if peaty, the better. I have found some gain from late sowing in July, the May-sown plants dying off in the August heats. We sow at both seasons.

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