334 



The Horticulturist and Jom^nal 



Carpet G-ardening. 



,. BY JOSIAII HOOPES. 



THIS term, although applied indiscrimi- 

 nately to all manner of flower-beds, is 

 really a very expressive title for the system 

 which employs only the dwarf-growing plants, 

 arranged in intricate patterns, and set so 

 closely as to combine a decided mass of colors 

 and forms. It is distinguished from Ribbon- 

 gardening, as we understand the two terms, 

 by the fact that the latter may be composed 

 of such tall-growing plants as Abutiion Thotnp- 

 soni, Achyranthus Lijidenii, Coleus of sorts, 

 etc., whilst the latter, as we before stated, 

 must be dwarf in habit, either naturally, or 

 else by close planting ; and should in all cases 

 be very carefully worked up. It is a disputed 

 point, whether or not this system of gardening 

 is admissible on our lawns ; but that it is ex- 

 ceedingly attractive and highly ornamental, 

 there can be but one opinion. It belongs to 

 the highest grade of landscape art, and finds 

 its place properly in the so-called Italian gar- 

 dens, where all its surroundings are of a formal 

 and precise order. In the company of neatly 

 clipped evergreens, beautiful terraces, elabo- 

 rate fountains, statuary and vases, the " Car- 

 pet-beds " are at once appropriate, and sug- 

 gestive of beauty in an artistic sense. 



The one insurmountable obstacle in the way 

 of its general introduction, is the fact that so 

 great a number of plants are required to form 

 even the smallest sized beds, that the enthusi- 

 astic florist calculates with dismay the drain 

 that will have to be made upon his purse be- 

 fore a fine effect can be produced. 



Perhaps the finest examples of this peculiar 

 style may be found in the sub-tropical grounds 

 of Battersea Park, near London, where al- 

 most every available plant is brought into 

 play, and used in a variety of ways. The 

 system is likewise in vogue at Sydenham, at 

 the South Kensington Gardens, at Kew, and 

 is especially fine at Hampton Court Palace. 

 At the latter place, where great attention has. 



within the past two or three years, been paid 

 to this feature, may be found the greatest 

 diversity of patterns, although not so elaborate 

 nor so grand as at Battersea. It would be an 

 idle task to undertake to give even general direc- 

 tions how to lay out these beds, and arrange 

 the various plants therein, as the taste of the 

 gardener must here be exercised ; but we 

 suggest, as suitable for our climate, the fol- 

 lowing list of good sorts, that, as a general 

 rule, will succeed in our usually hot, dry sum- 

 mers. 



In the first place, we need plenty of Sem- 

 pervivums, of which family our old House- 

 leek is a good illustration. 



The so-called S. Californicum, which is in 

 in reality S. calcare^im, is splendidly adapted 

 for this work, as it spreads out well, and the 

 extreme points of the leaves are prettily 

 tinged with dull red. Then we have a neat 

 and very interesting little species called S. 

 arachnoideum^ or the Spider's-web Houseleek, 

 which proves very conspicuous on account of 

 its white web-like threads intersecting each 

 other in all directions ; in some cases com- 

 pletely covering the plant with an exquisite 

 veil. 



The S, tabuliforine belongs to the larger 

 class of species, but works in well as a central 

 plant, or for forming an inside boundary. S. 

 glohiferum is likewise one of the best ; but in 

 fact, out of so many species belonging to this 

 genus (perhaps seventy-five or eighty in culti- 

 vation), it seems invidious to particularize. 



The Stdums constitute another genus of 

 succulents which are nicely adapted for this 

 work. S. acre, the most common species, 

 works well, but requires constant attention to 

 keep it within bounds ; but there is a new 

 form of it, with golden-yellow foliage, which 

 will perhaps supersede it for edging. The 

 best of the family, however, is, beyond a doubt, 

 the elegantly variegated varieties of S. Sie- 

 boldi ; but, unfortunately, the conspicuous 

 stripes and markings are liable to be lost if 

 the green shoots are once allowed to get the 

 upper hand. 



S. Orientale is a glorious species, but al- 

 most too large for our purpose. This genus, 



