34 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



was Black Dwarf Nosegay Pelargonium, then a line of blue Lobelias, and an outer 

 edge of Mesembryauthemum tigrinum, so named because each pair of thick 

 fleshy leaves represents the open jaws of a tiger, while the young leaves have the 

 appearance of a tongue between the jaws. Farther on was a circular bed carpeted 

 with Alternanthera spathulata : rising above this was a dwarf orange-crimson 

 flowering Canna, obtained from Messrs T. Jackson & Son of Kingston, the 

 species not known ; and an edging of Fuukia undula variegata. Next came a 

 circular bed showing much novelty of arrangement. The centre was carpeted with 

 Coleus Marshalli, from the midst of which rose some tall-growing foliaged plant : 

 round this was a ring of Coleus aureus marginatus, edged with blue Lobelia ; next 

 the Lobelia, Crystal Palace Gem golden leaved Pelargonium. From the ring of the 

 crimson-and-gold Coleus rose a circular line of standard plants of Acer negundo var- 

 iegata, about 34 feet in height, enclosing four nice plants of Dracccna Cooperi ; thus 

 the bright-coloured leaf-foliage of the Dracaena was looked at through the silvery 

 veil of the foliage of the Acer. It was a very fine bed indeed. Next came a raised 

 long oval bed arranged geometrically ; running through the centre of the bed 

 lengthwise was a chain, the links formed alternately of circles and diamonds, the 

 outline of the chain formed of Veronica incurva, the three diamond beds filled each 

 with Eclat and Grand Duke Nosegay Pelargoniums — both new of 1868, but scarcely 

 effective as bedders — and Triumphans, a grand bedding Zonal Pelargonium, with 

 flowers of a soft yet brilliant orange-scarlet hue, and very free blooming, and dark 

 zonate foliage; and the four circular beds filled with double-flowering Pelargoniums 

 — viz., two with Gloire de Nancy, and two with Rose Queen, in the way of Gloire 

 de Nancy, but rather darker. Round each group of double kinds was a ring of a 

 Nosegay Pelargonium ; two of these rings were formed of Pride of Osberton, hav- 

 ing large trusses of brilliant deep orange-scarlet flowers with broad petals ; the 

 other, Morning Star, much in the way of Lady Constance Grosvenor, but broader 

 in the petals, both new kinds, and so promising that Mr Gibson intends giving 

 them another season's trial. The groundwork inside and outside the line of Ver- 

 onica incurva was filled with Alternanthera paronychioides, so as to form a band. 

 This series of diamond and circular-shaped beds affords a good opportunity for 

 testing new varieties of bedding Pelargoniums. At the back of this bed was a 

 raised bed of Cannas. The buff-flowering variety of C. picturata formed a back- 

 ground : in front of this was 0. expansa — both dark-foliaged and dwarf-growing, 

 and edged with a dwarf-growing plant. By this was another raised circular bed 

 in the turf, in the centre of which was a cross formed of Cordyline indivisa, with 

 a plant of Dracaeoa terminalis at each of the points. The Cordyline had some- 

 what narrow leaves, but Mr Gibson states they always come broader when the 

 plant is more grown. The angles of the cross were filled with the silvery Cen- 

 taurea gymnocarpa, all encircled by a single line of Alternanthera paronychioides ; 

 next this a circle of Sempervivum montanum, with an outer edging of Saxifraga 

 cristata ; this bed also was very fine and effective. Another bed had a broad band 

 of Lantana fabiola in the centre, next this was Plumbago capensis, next this a 

 double line of Sempervivum Californicum as an edging. Mr Gibson thinks that 

 if Plumbago capensis and Lantana ne plus ultra could be grown mingled together, 

 the effect would be very fine indeed. Next came a splendid bed of Canna 

 rubro-caulis, edged with Centaurea ragusina. This combination was very fine 

 indeed, the dark leaves of the Canna contrasting so well with the silvery foliage 

 of the Centaurea. Equally effective was a large and long oval-shaped bed of 

 Canna Bihorelli, with deep dark foliage, and blooming profusely, throwing spikes 

 of orange-maroon flowers as showy as a Gladiolus — a fine species for conservatory 

 decoration in the Bummer. This bed was carpeted with Sweet Alyssum, then a 



