154 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



by planting sometbing suitable in the midst of it. Saxifraga opposi- 

 tifolia and S. hypnoides are fine plants for massing, but they will not be 

 cared for by those who are geranium mad. 



Sedu7n acre aureum is a variety of the common stonecrop. In 

 the month of February it begins to grow, and the tips of the shoots 

 become golden. This increases till towards April, when after a 

 brilliant display of its golden colour, it slowly changes to a whitish 

 colour, after which it becomes green like the common stonecrop. 

 In June it flowers freely, and is then golden again ; thus it affords 

 two displays of gold, and all the rest of the year is as green as grass : 

 such a plant is invaluable to the rough and ready gardener, especially 

 for an edging. But where is he found ? Ah ! " there's the rub." We 

 have seen it at the Hale Farm ]S'ursery, Tottenham, near London, and 

 we know that Mr. Dean, of Shipley Nursery, Yorkshire, has it, but 

 strange to say, it is extremely scarce and but little known, though 

 a handful to begin with might be made enough of to plant miles of 

 it in a few years. 



Sedum spectabile, otherwise known as S. fabarium, is a good 

 bedder for ro?y flowers in September, but scarcely gay enough in 

 summer to suit the prevailing taste. Several other sedums claim 

 consideration in this connection. 



Sempervivum californicum is the best of this series for our pur- 

 pose. It makes a distinct, bold, handsome edging. 



Silene alpestris is exquisitely beautiful on a dry, sandy, or peaty 

 soil, but will scarcely live on a cold loam or clay. 



Spircea filipendula plena might be useful for amass in an isolated 

 position, but could scarcely be associated in a group with plants of 

 neat habit. 



Spircea Japonica, or JSotiea Japonica, is a lovely plant, but not 

 a showy one. If tried as a bedder, it would charm by its fern-like 

 leafage and its elegant spikes of white flowers in May and June ; but 

 it might disappoint through lack of gaiety. 



Symphitum hermesinuiii or S. coccineum might make a rich bed of 

 summer flowers, but the plants are rough-looking, and should not be 

 tried until some acquaintance has been made with them. 



Tritoma uvaria is one of the grandest of all known plants for 

 masses, and it is perfectly hardy. Plant in deep soil that has been 

 well dug and abundantly manured, and leave them alone several 

 years. A large bed of this, with Arundo conspicua planted with it, 

 for a groundwork, would have a grand appearance. 



Heference to former papers of this series will assist the reader in 

 selecting hardy plants for edgings, in addition to such as have been 

 noticed above. Those who are interested in the cultivation of hardy 

 plants adapted for massing would do well to lay out an experimental 

 border, in which to plant various subjects on trial before employing 

 them in the formation of masses. It is necessary to be quite accus- 

 tomed to the successive seasonal appearances and the habits and 

 requirements of plants ere venturing far in the planting of them in 

 formal compositions. S. H. 



