INTRODUCTION. XXI 



colours ; and there is another group somewhat kindred to 

 these in the purposes to which they are adapted in the 

 flower-garden, which is characterised by quaintness of 

 aspect and quiet tints of foliage. Noteworthy in the first 

 group are Cerastium, various Sedums and Saxifrages, the 

 bronze-leaved Ajuga, the variegated form of the Shining- 

 leaved Arabis, Jacob's Ladder, and Cock's-foot Grass. 

 These, and many more of a like character, are indispen- 

 sable as edging and neutral subjects in the flower-garden 

 on the "bedding" plan. Examples of the carpet- like 

 group are the moss-like Saxifrages, and many others. The 

 Common Stonecrop and many other Sedums, Leptin- 

 ella scariosa, Acaenas, two or three, and many others of 

 prostrate creeping habit of growth, are valuable for form- 

 ing groundworks on beds or borders on which to set in 

 relief plants that are conspicuous or remarkable either 

 in flower or foliage, on the plan usually named '' carpet 

 planting." The last group is the least numerous, and 

 consists chiefly in the few Sempervivums that are hardy, 

 and the rosulate section of the Saxifrages ; but so far as 

 they go, they are worthy subjects to use in connection 

 with masses of colour, either in the form of edgings — 

 though in that way their quaint style may be proper only 

 in rare cases — or in beds by themselves, either isolated 

 or connected with colour. 



A small number of herbaceous plants — or if not all 

 strictly herbaceous, usually, in gardens at least, classed 

 with them — may be used in connection with "bedding- 

 out" with the best results, as central and outstanding 

 objects for the purpose of breaking flat surfaces, and re- 

 lieving with gracefulness or rigidity of form dense and 

 extensive masses of colour. The various hardy Yuccas, 



