THE FLORAL WORLD AND QARDEN GUIDE. 



193 



tlie garden, greenhouse, and conser- 

 vatory. 



PLANTS StriTABLK FOR EDGINGS TO 

 BEDS, CLUMPS, OB EOCKEKIES, ETC. 



Ajiiga reptans fol. var. — This 

 forms a close tufted mass of grayish 

 foUage, and in spring produces abun- 

 ■dance of its purphsh blue flowers. It 

 is invaluable for a clump in front of 

 a rockery. A. r. f. alha maculata 

 has large leaves blotched with creamy 

 white. A. r. f. purpiirascens is uni- 

 formly coloured in leaf and stem 

 alike, a deep bronzy purple, some- 

 what of the same tone as Perilla 

 Nankinensis. Like the others, it 

 blooms freely in spring. 



Alyssum saxatile fol. var. — The 

 well-known "variegated Alyssum." 

 It is not quite hardy. 



Arabis alpina fol. var. — This is 

 the well-known " variegated Arabis," 

 one of the best close-growing varie- 

 gated plants for edgings, and may be 

 left out all winter on well-drained , 

 soil. It is also known at the nur- 

 series as A. albida, A. caucasica, 

 and A. proecox. 



Arabis lucida fol. var. — This is 

 the most beautiful of the variegated 

 varieties of Arabis, and is at present 

 very little known. The leaves are 

 glossy, and regularly striped with 

 rich yellowish ribs and veins. 

 Though less reticulated, it is never- 

 theless very much like the variety of 

 common daisy known as Aucu-bisfolia, 

 which is the prettiest of all the small- 

 growing, hardy variegated plants. 

 This Arabis is largely used as an 

 edging at Kew this season. ; 



Arabis procurrens fol, var. — In 

 character like alpina, and useful for 

 rockeries. 



Ariemisea maritima, glacialis, and 

 pinnata are elegant glaucous-leaved 

 plants, which may be turned to good 

 account in garden colouring ; the last- 

 named makes a lovely edging, and 

 they may all be propagated to any 

 extent by means of cuttings. 



Ariemisea vulgaris fol. ' var. — 

 There are two forms of variegated 

 wormwood, one with white, the other 

 with yellow variegation. 



Bellis perennis fol. var. — This is 

 not very attractive at this time of 



year, but in the spring it is a charm- 

 ing thing either for the greenhouse 

 or the border. It should always be 

 grown in pots extra well-drained, and 

 in poor soil. It cannot be rapidly 

 multiplied, but if divided in the 

 autumn, a large stock may be got up 

 in a few years for forming masses 

 when it is in bloom. 



Centaurea caiididissima is the 

 whitest leaved plant known, and a 

 very grand subject for bedding pur- 

 poses. It is not quite hardy, and 

 must be potted up in autumn, and 

 kept in an airy greenhouse, or pit all 

 winter, and to have very little water. 



Centaurea Itagusina. — This is the 

 finest of the race in habit, and makes 

 either fine specimens in pots or noble 

 lines in beds aad ribbons. It is a 

 diflicult thing to propagate, the best 

 way to deal with it is to keep it in 

 the greenhouse all winter, and give it 

 no encouragement to grow. In Feb- 

 ruary put it in a moderate heat for 

 about ten days, and then take off the 

 side-shoots, and dibble them into 

 silver sand, and place on bottom- 

 heat. The only precaution necessary 

 is to supply them with very little 

 water, as they are likely to damp ofi" 

 if kept very moist. When rooted, 

 pot in thimble pots, using half leaf- 

 mould and half silver sand. 



C. argentea, C. dealbata* C. gym- 

 nocarpa, and C. nigra,* are all hand- 

 some and useful for rockeries and 

 borders, and any soil will suit them, 

 but they like a dry position. The 

 two we have marked thus * may be 

 left out all winter if iu an elevated 

 position. 



Chelidonium majus fol. var.-— A 

 fine subject for a damp corner of a 

 rockery, or where any rather coarse, 

 but attractive plant would be suitable. 



Coiwallaria majalis fol. var. — 

 This is the variegated Lily of the 

 Valley, and one of the gems in Mr. 

 Salter's collection. It will do well in 

 the shady part of a rockery, but 

 should also be grown in pots. 



Diplotaxis tenuifolia fol. var.— 

 This is a first rate variegated plant 

 for edgings and rockeries, the leaves 

 are marked with creamy lines and 

 blotches; quite hardy, and may be 

 increased a(^ lib. by autumn cuttings. 



