140 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



These ought to be small, just large enough to handle, and pricked 

 out, with a small stick, about four inches apart, after the others are 

 planted and finished. The plants can be pinched in with the finger 

 and thumb to any required size. 



Alternantheras are fine. A. amcena is much the best in colour. 

 It requires to be well hardened, and planted sufficiently thick to 

 produce an effect at once. The hardiest of all tbe Alternantheras 

 is A. paronychioides. 



Lobelia Pumila grandiflora. — This is a gem, because of its compact 

 growth and bright blue flowers. It affords a fine relief, and 

 never exceeds more than about five inches high, and about as far 

 through. 



Echeverias are exceedingly valuable, especially E. secunda glauca, 

 E. glauca metallica, and E. metallica, the two former for edging 

 purposes, and the latter for the centre. They should be planted so 

 as to nearly touch each other. 



Sempervivum californicum is quite hardy, and almost equal to the 

 dwarf Echeverias, if the young offsets are pulled off as they appear. 



Achillea umbellata. — This is a beautiful white-leaved little plant, 

 grows very dense, and almost hardy, never exceeds more than about 

 four inches high, and makes a fine line between Alternantheras and 

 Lobelias. 



Antennaria tomentosa. — This is fine for margins, as it is very 

 white in its foliage, and exceedingly dwarf; never grows higher than 

 moss ; and for a yellow-foliaged plant of the same character grow 

 the following — 



Lysimachia nummularia atirea. — This is exceedingly pretty, and 

 the yellow is very dark and quite distinct from other yellow plants 

 recommended for this purpose ; grows no higher than moss, and is 

 quite hardy. 



Veronica incana and Santolina incana are also admirable little 

 plants, growing about four to five inches high, and about as much 

 through ; the latter will grow larger, but can easily be kept down to 

 any required height. 



Achyrocline iSaundersoni. — This is equal to the preceding, quite 

 hardy, very white, and makes a splendid miniature bush or line, and 

 can be cut into any size and height below eight inches. 



Teucrium aureum and folium are quite equal for their frosted ap- 

 pearance ; neither of these grow above three inches high, and cover 

 the ground admirably. 



Thymus citriodorus aureus. — This is about the same growth and 

 height, with a yellow variegation, and is unquestionably fine, and 

 one of the prettiest little plants that we possess for edging small 

 beds. 



The above include all the best very dwarf white and yellow 

 foliage plants suitable for the flower garden. For a rather taller 

 growth select — 



Eactylis eleyantissima, Polemonium variegatum, Coprosma JBauer- 

 iana variegatum. — The latter has a good bit of yellow in its variega- 

 tion, but all are first-class showy and effective bedding plants, as 

 each can be cut to any required height and size. 



