Plumeria

   DESCRIPTION: P. rubra, 10 to 15 ft., from Mexico to Venezuela, is known as "frangipani" and "red jasmine." It has large leaves, to 16 in. long and 4 in. wide. The highly fragrant summer flowers vary in color from pink to rosy purple. They are about 2 in. long and flare at the top to an equal width. Plant in a 12- to 15-in. pot or tub and prune to convenient size each year immediately after the flowering season.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, 50% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss. Keep evenly moist March to September; on the dry side, but never completely so, in fall and winter. Apply biweekly feedings in spring and summer. Propagate by cuttings in the spring.

   Trachelospermum

   DESCRIPTION: T. jasminoides, a twining Chinese vine. Leaves small, shiny, dark green. Wonderfully fragrant, star-shaped flowers, white or yellow most of the year excepting the dead of winter. Keep the growing tips pinched back and it will stay a fairly tidy small bush. Commonly called Confederate or star jasmine; a very popular plant outdoors in the South.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny to semi-sunny. Temperature, preferably cool in winter, but not particular at other times. Temperatures below 50 degrees cause yellowing of the leaves. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; keep evenly moist. Apply biweekly feedings except in winter. Propagate by cuttings, spring or summer.

   Vinca

   DESCRIPTION: V. major, trailing to 2 ft. or more, from Europe, is one of our country's most popular window-box and hanging-basket plants. It bears bright-blue, periwinkle flowers from May to October. V. major variegata has leaves attractively splashed and margined with creamy yellow.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny to semi-sunny. Temperature, preferably cool in winter, but not particular at other times. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; keep evenly moist. Whenever growing conditions are good, usually spring and summer, apply biweekly feedings. Propagate by cuttings or division in spring.

   Araceae

   Mostly tropical plants with bitter, sometimes poisonous juice, and smooth-edged leaves which are often lobed attractively. The tiny flowers are clustered on a fingerlike spadix which protrudes out of, or is shielded by, a leaf- or funnel-shaped spathe. While the true flowers are not showy, the spathe in many genera is large, colorful, and long-lasting.

   Acorus

   DESCRIPTION: A. gramineus pusillus, 2 to 3 in., from Japan, has tufts of iris-like leaves. A. gramineus variegatus, 6 to 9 in., also from Japan, is similar, but attractively marked with creamy white. Both may be called "miniature sweet flag." They are small, slow-growing, grassy perennials of greatest interest when used in ter-rariums and dish gardens.

    CULTURE: Light, semi-shady. Temperature, cool. Humidity, high. Soil, 2 parts loam, 1 part leaf mold, and 1 part sand; keep wet at all times.