424 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



vate houses and frame-ground, we find two very striking circular ril)bon-borders 

 — one being cut into triangles and lozenge-shaped compartments by belts of 

 Pelargoniums, and the other planted in semicircles of white, i)ink, and scarlet- 

 flowered Zonals, having triangularly-shaped com]iartments in front. The first 

 has the compartments filled in with Colcus and Alternanthera, while in the 

 latter they are iilled with Lobelia pumila or L. erinus speciosa and Bronze Zonals 

 alternately. The margins of these borders are distinct and worth notice, the 

 one being edged with Mesembryanthemums cordifolium var. and Lobelia pumila 

 grandiflora, and the others with three belts formed respectively of Iresine Lin- 

 denii, Pyretlirum Golden Feather, and Cerastium tomentosum. Passing along 

 the subtropical walk, we meet with some distinct beds of foliage-plants. Acacia 

 lo])hantha — one of the finest and freshest window-plants we have — here looks 

 well in a bed, and a mass of the bright-looking and very variegated Maize edged 

 with deep purple Iresine Lindenii is attractive. A rockery carpeted and 

 planted with succulents, similar to the one already described at Battersea, is an 

 interesting feature in this department ; while a bed of large-leaved Wigandias 

 edged with the crimson Chilian Beet and variegated Coltsfoot is an uncommon 

 though effective bit of colour-planting. Belts of Cannas and Ficus fringe the 

 shrubberies, and masses of Yucca reciirvata are flowering freely on the sloping 

 bank, backed by dark-coloured evergreens, — just the position to show off their 

 tall masses of wax-like flowers to advantage. A nice specimen of Yucca fila- 

 mentosa is also producing a fine spike of flowers. A round bed of the new 

 Amaranthus salicifolius is just showing colour, and promises to be more effective 

 later in the season. It evidently likes a moist shady position, as on dry, hot, 

 and sandy soils it loses its lower foliage and gets leggy. Fine masses and 

 mixed beds of Cannas and other subtropicals are arranged on either side the 

 winding walk, from which nice views are obtained of the margins of the lake 

 and the drooping willows which fringe its banks. A mass of Dracaena ferrea 

 makes a distinct bed ; and a round bed with a star-shaped mass'of Coleus in the 

 centre, the intervening spaces between the ray being filled with Golden Pyre- 

 thrum, is very pretty, the whole being neatly margined with a belt of Crimson 

 Alternanthera and a double row of Echeveria secunda. Musas, Palms, and 

 Yuccas are dotted here and there on the turf among the beds, and help to re- 

 lieve the monotony of bright colours on every side. Next year we may look 

 for an overwhelming preponderance of " carpet-beds," which are all j^retty well 

 in their way, but masses of bright colour should be relieved by fresh green 

 foliage, or the eye soon tires of glaring effects. Give us bright glowing colour, 

 but let us also have cool turf, fine trees, and noble foliage-plants, in order to 

 balance and harmonise the whole into one bright and beautifid picture, or much 

 of the intended effect is lost on intelligent observers. 



LoxDox, August 12, 1873. 



FLOWERING - SHRUBS ON -WALLS. 



Among the many subjects which have been discussed in your valuable 

 magazine, this is one which I think has not received due attention. I 

 am sure there is no branch of gardening worse understood, or if it 

 really is understood, not treated accordingly. I have worked in and 

 visited many gardens, and have never seen flowering-shrubs on walls 



