THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 151 



of these are, indeed, well adapted to increase the effect of the more 

 highly coloured masses. Undoubtedly the most effectual way to 

 render a garden agreeable by the use of hardy plants alone would be 

 to detach the beds more or less, substituting groups of two or three, 

 or single beds, in the place of geometric designs ; thus spreading 

 over a considerable space a variety of objects, and avoiding the at- 

 tempt to imitate by such unsuitable materials the effects commonly 

 sought to be produced by means of the fashionable bedders. 



I shall first call attention to plants that are adapted to give 

 dignity to the garden, and which are adapted for the embellishment 

 of the lawn, the vases, for centres of beds, for centres and divisions 

 of groups of beds, or such as are sometimes called "key positions." 



Yuccas. — The finest of this fine family for general purposes is 

 Y. recurva. It is true it does not frequently fiower, which is an 

 advantage, but in its tone of green, and its superb outlines, it sur- 

 passes every other hardy species. Plant on a well-drained position, 

 in soil consisting of equal parts good loam, sharp sand, and broken 

 bricks. 



Aeundinaeia falcata is an elegant bamboo of most fresh and 

 graceful appearance ; fine for a centre-piece, quite hardy, and will 

 grow well in any good soil. 



Aktjndo conspicua is a handsome grass like the pampas, but 

 less in size, and flowering freely all the summer, whereas the pampas 

 does not flower freely till autumn. This is used on raised banks at 

 Battersea Park -with singularly beautiful effect. It comes true from 

 the seed commonly offered, but it requires three years' growth to 

 make flowering plants. A large bed of this, with cannas intermixed, 

 would have a fine appearance. 



Acer neguitdo yaeiegata. — This is the whitest leaved tree in 

 cultivation, and at present rather expensive. Nevertheless it is 

 cheap for the rough and ready gardener, for, at from three to five 

 shillings each, a few pounds might be judiciously invested, to pro- 

 duce a large group of a sensational kind. In fact, a group of dwarf 

 trees of this Acer would present a remarkable appearance in an 

 English garden. Those who do not know the tree are advised to ask 

 after it at a nursery, and having seen it they may consider whether 

 to take it in hand next autumn. If planted to form a group, trees 

 grafted near the root should be chosen, and when planted they 

 should be three feet apart. Eegular pruning would keep them to 

 any height required. 



EuoNYMUS LATIFOLIA AUEEA would make a fine ribbon line 

 or bed of golden leaves, if planted in a poor soil. Rather dear at the 

 first start, but, being hardy, the first cost is an investment rather 

 than an expenditure. It is the most brilliantly golden-hued shrub 

 in cultivation. 



EuoNYMUS EADICANS YAEIEGATA is a Splendid edging plant, 

 equal to the best of the variegated geraniums, and quite hardy. A 

 good companion this to the variegated-leaved geraniums that have 

 been frequently recommended in these pages. 



Virginia ceeepee. — Queer proposal, perhaps ; but, really, if a 

 great bed was covered with Virginian creepers, and stocks or asters 



