1870.] GARDEN RECORDS. 87 



nanthera amoena, the outer mass being made up of the orange-tinted Alternanthera 

 paronychioides major. The effect is excellent, and equally pleasing whether seen 

 from a distance or examined closely. Another contiguous bed is filled with the 

 same kinds of plants, but differently arranged. Here there are two diamond-shaped 

 masses of Alternanthera paronychioides major, bordered and connected by a broad 

 band of Alternanthera amoena, which in addition is made to form a cross band at 

 the centre and a Trefoil figure at each end, the whole outer mass being the 

 golden-leaved Pyrethrum, edged with a line of Echeveria secunda. In another 

 part of the grounds occur a pair of elongated carpeted beds, consisting of a series 

 of circles of the silvery Antennaria tomentosa, Alternanthera amoena and Teleian- 

 thera versicolor being disposed in a scroll-like band around them, while the outer 

 part is filled with Alternanthera paronychioides, with a most effective border formed 

 of a single line of Echeveria secunda, which latter, with Sempervivum Californicum, 

 and one or two other succulents of similar character, appear frequently in similar 

 positions. These carpet beds are all gems in their way. 



'• Another remarkably effective spot, and one to which Mr Gibson has this year 

 made considerable additions, is what he designates most appositely as Alpine 

 Point. The ground is thrown up in imitation of mountain scenery, and two 

 'snowy' peaks covered with the white-leaved Antennaria are seen peeping up 

 above the surrounding scenery from many distant points. The lower surface is 

 clothed with hardy succulents and herbaceous plants of dwarf habit, the intention 

 being to get the ground covered with a carpeting of close-growing perennials — 

 such, for example, as the dwarf Sedums— and then to throw out here and there 

 individuals or masses presenting characteristic features. 



" In another style of grouping was a cone-shaped bed planted on the crown with 

 about a quarter of a hundred fine plants of Echeveria metallica. The miniature 

 mount was broken up into half-a-dozen spurs, on each of which was placed a plant 

 of the green-leaved Sempervivum Donkelaari, and at the point a group of five 

 plants of the white-leaved Pachyphyton bracteosum. In each of the hollows 

 between these prominences was placed a small plant of the variegated-leaved 

 Pine- Apple. The whole surface was clothed with Sedum glaucum. This bed 

 was a very telling one. 



"A quiet sheltered nook, which for the past year or two has been given up to 

 the Ferns, has been considerably amplified and improved. Here are to be seen a 

 few specimens, with considerable trunks, of Dicksonia, Cyathea, &c, with an 

 undergrowth of Thamnopteris Australasica, the palm-habited Dracaena nutans, on 

 tall stems, being very effectively introduced. It is a most charming, retired, and 

 quiet spot; and near at hand Mr Gibson has opened up a vista in the belt of 

 shrubbery which, with its furniture of Anthuriums, Aralias, and other handsome- 

 leaved plants, forms a feature of much interest, and capable of further develop- 

 ment." 



Mr Gibson is a true artist, and his genius is as inventive as it is strikingly 

 apparent. The general effects could not fail to call forth the warmest commen- 

 dations. The great charm of these effects consists in this, "that they are not 

 suffered to appear in the same stereotyped form each recurring year, but being 

 modified by a delicate touch here or a bold stroke there — both the work of a 

 master hand, and thus are ever presenting signs of progressive refinement. " 



