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1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &C. 127 
Bedding Plants—continued. 
this point constitutes one of the elements of success in the 
management of these large-foliaged plants. 
Besides the plants mentioned elsewhere, numerous 
others may be used for Sub-tropical Bedding, such as 
Carlina, Aloe, Sumach, Fatsia (Aralia), Funkia, Eryn- 
gium, Rheum, Heracleum, Bocconia, Cassia, &e. Also 
available are some of the ordinary Summer Bedding 
plants, such as Coleus, Iresines, Perillas, Beet, Centaureas, 
Cinerarias, &c., which are used either for mixing with the 
sub-tropical’ plants in the Beds, or as edgings for the same. 
Carpeting plants, such as the Alternantheras, are also used, 
and when judiciously arranged, give a finished appearance 
to the Beds. In fact, the modes of arranging the plants at 
command are endless ; yet the same object is kept in view, 
viz., an attractive and effective display, avoiding all 
formality, but at the same time aiming at a neat, sym- 
metrical appearance when completed. 
Abutilons, if planted outside in June, will flower freely 
throughout the summer. Several ornamental-foliaged 
varieties are grown for Bedding purposes, A. Thomsont, 
A. megapotamicum (A. vevillariwm), and the variety 
variegatum, and A. Sellowianwm marmoratum, being very 
attractive. Albizzia (Acacia) lophantha is a handsome 
plant for mixed Sub-tropical Bedding; it is of quick 
growth, and produces an abundance of graceful bipinnate 
leaves. Cannas are splendid plants, admirably adapted 
either for massing in Beds by themselves or for mixing 
amongst other subjects; they are of stately growth. 
Numerous hybrids are now grown, most of which have 
been reared Sy M. Crozy, of Lyons. Madame Crozy, 
Paul Bert, and Ménélik are very effective. Daturas are 
handsome massive-foliaged plants with large trumpet- 
shaped flowers, and are much admired. The best kinds 
are D. ceratocaula, D. Cornucopiz, and D. meteloides 
(D. Wrightii). 
Eucalyptus globulus is a fast-growing subject, having 
leaves of a peculiar glaucous hue. The well-known Ficus 
elastica is suitable either for mixing in groups of tall- 
growing plants, or for planting amongst dwarf carpeting 
plants. Grevillea robusta is a most graceful plant, with 
fern-like foliage. Humea elegans, Lavatera arborea 
variegata, Melianthus major, Nicotianas, Ricinus, several 
of the strong-growing Solanums, like S. marginatum, 
S. robustum, and S. Warscewiczii, the bold Wigandias, 
W. macrophylla (W. caracasana), W. urens, and W. Vigieri 
may be effectively used. - 
Carpet Bedding.—This style of Summer Bedding is 
gradually disappearing. Carpét Bedding, as practised 
years ago, consisted of the planting of Beds in geometrical 
form with various dwarf coloured-foliaged plants, the 
object being to imitate fancy designs, such as were found 
on Turkey carpets, &c., and to work them ont in different 
colours. The dwarf plants so used needed constant 
attention with regard to pinching and keeping them 
within their allotted space, or the design would quickly 
be spoiled by the strong growers running into and 
smothering the weaker subjects, and the Bed present the 
appearance of disorder and neglect. At the present day 
a decided improvement in the art of Carpet Bedding is 
to be seen in many of our large public parks and other 
places: this consists of a freer use of tall, graceful 
subjects, suitable for associating with the typical Carpet 
Bedding plants; and in this way many pleasing effects 
are produced. 
Carpet Bedding should not be done until about the 
middle of June. The Beds ought to have been dug 
over about a fortnight previously and left to solidify; 
they will then only require to be made moderately firm, 
and to have the surface-soil raked smooth and even at 
the time of planting. The design is then transferred to 
the Beds by drawing lines in the soil. Circles may easily 
be drawn by fixing a stick firmly in the centre of the Bed, 
and looping a piece of string over it; then by attaching 
Bedding Plants— continued. 
another stick to the string at the distance required, the 
circles may be drawn correctly. When all the lines are 
drawn they are traced with a little dry silver-sand, so as to 
make them more distinct for the operator. Planting then 
commences: the tall dot-plants are put in first, then 
the leading lines, and afterwards the intermediate spaces 
or panels are filled in. 
As the majority of the plants are very small, and have 
to be planted quite close together, a narrow, pointed 
trowel is used; or the trowel may be dispensed with 
altogether and the work done with the fingers. The soil 
is made fairly firm around them, and a good watering 
given immediately after planting. If dry, hot weather 
sets in, the Beds must have occasional waterings throughout 
the summer. The dwarf plants will also require pinching 
at frequent intervals so as to keep them dwarf. 
Irrespective of the popular carpeting plants mentioned 
below, there are numerous others belonging to the Sub- 
tropical and ordinary Summer Bedding class that are 
available either as dot or centre plants in connection with 
Carpet Bedding. Of these, the following may be men- 
tioned: Abutilon Thomsoni, Agaves, Fatsia (Aralia)* 
japonica, Centaureas, Coleus, Dracena australis, Iresines, 
Perillas, and Yuccas. 
The following list of plants includes the best of those 
most commonly grown for Carpet Bedding. The Saxifrages, 
Sempervivums, and Echeverias may be allowed to flower if 
it is desired; but generally the flowers are pinched out. 
All the other plants are grown exclusively for their 
foliage. 
Alternantheras are largely used for filling in panels, 
divisional lines, &c. Several species and varieties are 
grown: A. amabilis, A. amena, A. versicolor, A. parony- 
chioides, A. aurea nana, A. magnifica, A. major, A. m. 
aurea, and A. rosea nana. Antennaria’ tomentosa or 
A. candida is largely used for edgings or divisional lines. 
Calocephalus (Leucophyton or Leucophyta) Brownii is used 
for filling in panels, &c. Centawrea ragusina compacta is 
very useful for Ribbon Bedding, a style which consists of 
filling a border the whole length with rows of plants, each 
row being of a different shade of colour, so that the border, 
especially when viewed from a distance, presents the 
appearance of a ribbon. It is also used as a dot-plant. 
Cerastiwm tomentosum is used for edgings, for filling in 
panels, &c. Chamzxpeuce Casabone and diacantha are 
largely used as dot plants in connection with Carpet 
Bedding, as well as for sub-tropical work. * Echeverias are 
used for edgings. divisional lines, &c.; the flower-stems vary 
from Gin. to 12in. in height. FE. agavoides, E. metallica, 
E. Peacockii, and E. secunda glauca are those most com- 
monly grown. Herniaria glabra is a creeping plant of 
neat, close habit, suitable for filling in the groundwork. 
Kleinia repens is a succulent, used for divisional lines. 
Mentha Pulegium gibraltarica is a useful groundwork 
plant, very effective when surrounded with brighter 
colours. Mesembryanthemum cordifoliwm variegatum is 
used for filling in panels, &c. Pachyphytwm bracteosum 
is an attractive succulent, forming a useful dot plant, 
or for dividing lines. Sagina pilifera awrea, or glabra 
aurea, is an excellent subject for filling in panels. San- 
tolina incana is useful as a dot plant. Saxifragas are 
excellent carpeting plants, for either Summer or Spring 
Bedding. Sedums, like S. glawcum and S. lydiwm, are used 
for panels. Sempervivums are very useful for forming 
divisional lines, &c. Stellaria graminea aurea is a bright 
carpeting plant for dividing lines or for filling in panels. 
The designs furnished will give the gardener a fair idea 
of how the above-mentioned plants may be utilised in the 
present system of Carpet Bedding. As individual tastes 
differ, however, so the arrangements of the dwarf plants 
may be altered accordingly, and the tall plants may or 
may not be used, as fancy dictates. If the Beds are small, 
it will not be advisable to include too many dot-plants, but 
