If a small-leaved, quick-growing plant is required this could well be the one. The cream- variegated leaves are roughly triangular in shape, and the plant has a natural clinging habit which will take it to the ceiling in a very short space of time. “Iso prevent growth becoming too long and thin it is wise to provide some form of trellis support round which the plant can be twined.

The variegated form Sasifraga sarinentosa tricolor is much less vigorous, requiring more careful handling, and will certainly need the higher temperatures indicated above. It will also do better if confined to small pots, as growth is not sufficiently active to justify planting them in hanging baskets as suggested above for the green form.

As small plants Schefflera digiutia and its Australian relative Schefflera actinophyllo are not particularly exciting, but as mature specimens there are few plants with purely green foliage which can match them for elegance. They are easy to manage in light, airy conditions. New plants are usually raised from seed, but hard wood of older plants that have become leggy and unattractive is not difficult to propagate in reasonable conditions.

S. aureus Marble Queen is much less robust in its growth and will try the skill of the most experienced of plantsmen. This is mainly on account of the very small amount of chlorophyll in the leaves; some are almost entirely white. To be able to do anything with these plants at all it is essential that they have a temperature in the region of 18C., and that the pots be plunged in moist peat to their rims - a dry atmosphere can be particularly harmful.

When potting or propagating it is important that the compost should contain about one third fresh sphagnum moss, to ensure an open mixture. Compost is hardly the word, as the mixture required is nothing more than clean peat and moss.

Sedum Sieboldii Mediovariegatum is an attractive dual-purpose plants that may be grown indoors or planted out in the garden. Adequate light is essential for plants indoors, also reasonable moisture during the summer months - much less at other times. The green f’orm is much less attractive.