1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, 
SE. 15 
Bedding Plants—continued. 
This is preferable to planting when the soil is very wet 
and sticky, as then it is apt to be pressed into hard lumps. 
When the plants are in pots, it is best to water them 
thoroughly overnight, so as to have the balls in a perfectly 
moist condition by the morning, as when turned out of a 
pot, and when rather dry, it is almost impossible to get 
water to enter the ball after the plant has been put in the 
ground, and it naturally suffers in consequence. If the 
weather continues dry after planting, liberal waterings 
should be given at intervals, never allowing the plants to 
suffer for want of water. The removal of decayed leaves 
and flowers should be regularly seen to throughout the 
summer, so that the Beds may at all times present a neat 
and tidy appearance. 
The blending and contrasting of colours is a subject that 
requires great attention in Bedding arrangements. The 
harmonising of one colour with another generally produces 
the most pleasing effect. Thus, by arranging the colours 
purple, red, pink, salmon, yellow, and white, in the order . 
named, the eye is led gradually from one colour to the 
other, and perfect harmony prevails. In planting small 
Beds, however, it is not advisable to introduce too many 
shades of colour—two, or, at the most, three, will suffice. 
The most accommodating colour for contrasting with others 
is white or very light grey, such as is supplied by Cineraria 
maritima or Cerastiwm tomentosum; these plants associate 
well with all strong colours, and produce striking contrasts. 
The gardener of the present day has considerable advan- 
tage over his predecessors in the matter of bedding, as the 
number of beautiful subjects at his disposal is infinite. He 
has, too, the choice of three distinct styles of Summer 
Bedding: Ordinary Summer Bedding, Sub-tropical, and 
Carpet Bedding. 
Ordinary Summer Bedding. 
Bedding plants, blossoming continuously fron June till 
October, or until destroyed by frost; they vary in height 
from 4in. to 15in. The flowers, which are some shade of 
blue, or white, are lasting, and retain their colour well. 
They are excellent plants either for edgings, for small Beds 
by themselves, or for mixing with Tricolor Pelargoniums, 
&e.; also as carpeting plants for Fuchsias or other tall- 
growing subjects. Seeds may be sown in January or 
February in heat, and the seedlings grown on in small pots, 
and gradually hardened off ready for planting out in June. 
They are also propagated readily from cuttings at any 
season, @ little bottom-heat being beneficial. 
The dwarf varieties of A. mexicanum are the kinds 
generally used,.such as Cupid, Swanley Blue (often used as 
an edging plant for Beds of Variegated Pelargoniums), The 
Zoo, Albiflorum Nanum, Cannell’s Dwarf, Imperial Dwarf, 
Lady Jane, Countess of Stair, Johannas Pfitzer, Le Geant, 
Perle Bleu, Enfant de Paris, Tapis Blane, Snowflake, and 
LaCandeur. Several varieties of Beta vulgaris are used for 
Bedding on account of their highly-coloured crimson, dark 
purple, or bronzy foliage. Dell’s Crimson is a well- tried 
variety ; Dracena-leaved Beet is also good for edgings, 
growing only lft. high, and producing elegant recurved 
crimson foliage. 
The tuberous-rooted Begonias constitute a class of 
plants admirably adapted for this style of Bedding. They 
may be grown with less labour and attention than many 
Bedding Plants, and when in flower it is surprising how 
they will withstand the ill-effects of wind and heavy rain, 
and remain one mass of colour until frost puts in an 
appearance. The shrubby fibrous-rooted section also 
contributes several species which are now used for Bedding 
purposes; of these, B. semperflorens and its varieties are 
especially suitable, as they flower with the greatest pro- 
fusion throughout the whole summer, and also stand the 
wet weather exceedingly well- The varieties of Begonias 
suitable for Bedding purposes are now numerous, the 
following being amongst the best: Worthiana, Erfordi, 
Vesuvius, Cannell’s Scarlet, Baumanni, Queen of Bedders, 
Bedding Plants—continued. 
Ascotensis, Castanzfolia, and Knowsleyana. Most of our 
nurserymen offer seeds of both single and double varieties, 
saved from ‘flowers of all shades of colour from white, 
orange, yellow, and pink, to dark crimson. Seedlings 
are frequently employed for Bedding, and may be cheaply 
procured. 
Calceolarias are subjects that require good, deep, rich 
soil, with plenty of manure, the object being to grow them 
vigorously so as to get healthy green plants, free from 
insects. The shrubby kinds are generally grown for 
bedding purposes. These include such well-known forms as 
Gaine’s Yellow, Sultan, and Golden Gem; these grow from 
12in. to 18in. in height. OC. amplezicaulis belongs to 
the herbaceous section; the plant grows 1}ft. high, and 
is very good for associating with other taller-growing 
subjects. 
Celosias are now used for Bedding purposes, and 
very graceful decorative plants they prove to be, with 
their showy, feathery plumes of flowers. C. pyramidalis 
grows to a height of 18in., and has numerous varieties, 
usually some shade of yellow or crimson. They are 
generally described under the name of Q. plumosa. 
Sutton’s Dwarf is one of the best. Of (©. cristata 
(Cockscomb) there are several varieties, most of them 
with crimson combs. Giant Empress and Vesuvius are 
both handsome. Centaurea ragusina is a valuable Bedding 
Plant, with broad, silvery-white foliage, for which alone it 
is used; it is excellent for contrasting with any strong 
colour, and forms a suitable subject for edgings to Beds of 
Coleus, Iresines, Perillas, &c. Cineraria maritima is a 
hardy perennial with silvery-white foliage and heads of 
yellow flowers. The flower-stems must, however, be 
pinched out as soon as they appéar, as it is the silvery 
foliage that is required. It is largely used for edgings 
to Beds of Perillas, &e., taking the place of Centaurea 
ragusina. Coleus Verschaffeltii is one of the best crimson- 
leaved plants used for Bedding; it grows from 12in. to 
18in. high. It makes very effective Beds when edged with 
silver- or golden-leaved plants, such as Ovineraria 
maritima or Fyrethrum Golden Feather. Taylor’s Pet 
withstands the cold better than C. Verschaffeltii. 
Fuchsias are largely used in Summer-Bedding arrange- 
ments, and very effective plants they prove to be, with 
their graceful drooping flowers. Some are allowed to 
assume a bush form, whilst others are kept to a single 
stem, and grown into pyramids. The dwarf, bushy kinds 
form excellent Beds, either alone or edged with other 
dwarf-growing Bedding Plants. Those grown into 
pyramids make beautiful objects, their drooping branches 
showing off to advantage. They require a carpeting of 
Ageratums, Violas, or other dwarf-growing subjects. The 
varieties of Bedding Fuchsias are very numerous ; in fact, 
almost all of the Fuchsias are sufficiently hardy to stand 
outside during the summer. MDunrobin Castle is very 
distinct, and it is suitable for either small Beds, carpeting 
below taller plants, vases, window-boxes, or for growing 
into standards. There are several varieties, with richly- 
coloured or variegated leaves, which are grown extensively 
for bedding purposes. Amongst these are Cloth of 
Gold, Sunray, and Meteor. 
Gaillardias, as well as being ornamental border-plants, 
are excellent for Bedding displays. They should be 
planted rather thinly, so as to allow room for pegging- 
down the shoots. G. grandiflora mavima is one of 
“the best of* the perennials. The half-hardy annual 
varieties, such as Lorenziana, Drummondii or picta, 
amblyodon, &c., are also very effective and useful Bedding 
Plants, on account of their richly-coloured flowers and 
the long duration of their flowering period. Gazanias are 
useful for sunny positions. G. splendens is a handsome 
and much-grown trailer. Heliotropes are always popular 
for their deliciously fragrant flowers. The dwarf kinds 
are suitable either for forming Deds by themselves or for 
