THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 85 
CARPET BEDS OF HARDY PLANTS, 
BY H. J. ANDERSON, ESQ., 
Elie Cottage, Ealing, W. 
reeOUR capital contributions on “ Rough and Ready Gar- 
4! dening,” that appeared in the Frorat Wortp for 1868, 
induced me to commence the cultivation of hardy plants, 
and encouraged by the numerous articles that have 
"Since appeared, I have been able to form an excellent 
collection of herbaceous and alpine plants. With the assistance of 
the advice contained in the article on the ‘“ Amateur’s Sanctum” 
(FtroraL Wortp, page 4, 1870), 1 have a really grand and most 
interesting display of flowers and ornamental foliage throughout the 
year, without the trouble and expense of fire-heat, and 1 am well 
satisfied with the result. 
I wish now to place on record an experiment in permanent carpet 
bedding with hardy plants, for probably a brief descripticn will be 
of service to many amateurs who have no time or inclination to look 
after tender things, and who like to have their gardens highly 
embellished. 
The beds I refer to are on a grass plot, and are eight feet 
in diameter. In No.1 I have in the centre a holly, with silvery 
variegation. Next to this is a band of Spireea ulmaria variegata, 
and outside of this a band of Alysswm spinosum. In the centre 
of No. 2 is an example of Thuja aurea, surrounded by Lysi- 
machia nummularia aurea, and Arenaria balearica, with an outer 
circle of Antennaria tomentosum, and Ajuga reptans fol. var., 
planted alternately. No. 3 has also a plant of Thuja aurea 
in the centre, which is surrounded by Funkia ovata variegata, 
and an outer circle of Aubrietia purpurea variegata, and Lamium 
aureum, planted alternately ; No. 4 has in its centre a holly with 
golden variegation, and this is surrounded with a band of Ajuga 
reptans fol. var., and an outer ring of Veronica candida, known also 
as Veronica incana. No. 5 is filled entirely with herbaceous plants. 
In the centre is a plant of Hemerocallis Kwanso fol. var., surrounded 
by Pulmonaria sibirica, and this produces a capital effect. In this 
bed I plunge, during the winter, bushy plants of Iberis corifolia and 
Thymus awreus, and they give the bed a very fresh and pleasing 
appearance, 
Tur Coot Conservatory in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Giasnevin, has during 
the past month presented a most attractive appearance, by reason of the large 
number of Himalayan Rhododendrons that have flowered. The collection includes 
Rhododendron arboreum, R. argenteum, R. barbatum, R. Hodgson, R. Felconeri, 
R. lancifolium, and several hybrids, and as the specimens are of large size, they 
make a grand display when in bloom. ‘These rhododendrons are specially suited 
for cultivation in cool conservatories, and as they bloom early in the year, and 
require very little attention beyond the needful supplies of water, they are especially 
adapted to the requirements of amateurs. 
March, 
