Evening Primrose.—­See “Oenothera.”

Everlasting Peas.—­See “Peas, Everlasting.”

F

Fabacea.—­See “Thermopsis.”

Fatsia Japonica.—­See “Aralia.”

Feather Grass.—­See “Stipa Pennata.”

Fennel.—­Sow the seed in April, cover lightly with fine mould, and when the plants are strong enough set them out 1 ft. apart.  Cut off the flower-stalks as soon as they appear, to prevent them running to seed.  The bed will last for years. (See also “Ferula.”)

Fenzlia.—­Elegant half-hardy annuals.  Sow the seed on a peat soil.  If this be done in autumn, they will flower in April or May; if sown in spring, they will bloom in autumn.  Height, 6 in.

Ferns.—­Most Ferns delight in a loose soil, an abundance of moisture, and a warm, humid atmosphere.  The stove and greenhouse kinds are best cultivated in a mixture of sandy loam and peat.  The hardy kinds grow best among rock-work or in a shady border:  a light, sandy soil suits them.  They may be increased by dividing the roots.

Ferns from Seed.—­Collect the spore-fronds towards the end of summer, just as the spore-cases begin to open.  Place them on a sheet of paper in a box for a few days, keeping it in a dry place.  Most of the spores will fall out, the others may be rubbed out with the hand.  These spores will keep good a long time, but are best sown within a year.  Fill the pots with good heavy loam, water freely, and apply a coating of charcoal, coarse sand, and sphragnum moss, rubbed through a fine sieve.  Damp the surface, sow the spores thinly, and cover with glass.  Keep the soil moist by standing the pots for a time each day up to their rim in water.  No surface water should be given.  Stand the pots in a warm, light place in the greenhouse, but keep them shaded from the sun.  When the surface is covered with growth, prick out into pans or boxes, using a rich, light soil.  When they are large enough pot them off singly in thumb-pots, re-potting as soon as these are filled with roots.

Ferraria.—­See “Tigridia.”

Ferula (Giant Fennel).—­Strong-growing, hardy, herbaceous plants.  F. Gigantea has bright, glistening foliage, changing to a brilliant orange, and attains a height of 8 ft or 10 ft.  F. Tingitana is very stately and graceful, growing 4 ft. high.  They are easily raised from seed, will grow in any garden soil, and flower in August and September.

Festuca.—­An annual ornamental grass, which is grown best on a loamy soil.  Sow the seed in March, and keep moist till it germinates.  Height, 1 ft.

Feverfew.—­This hardy perennial will grow in any soil and ripen its seed freely.  Young plants, obtained by sowing the seed early in spring, are very useful for edgings; when planted alternately with, or in proximity to, Lobelia a pretty effect is produced.