THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 143 
T shall not say much in reference to the arrangement of colours, 
for abstract principles are not of much real service, and a description 
of a number of arrangements known to be thoroughly satisfactory 
would be of little use, because but few readers, through not possess- 
ing the plants, would be able to copy them. There are, however, 
a few points to which allusion may probably be made with advantage. 
Speaking generally, it may in the first place be said that beds filled 
with one variety of geraniums, verbenas, or other class of plants, 
and enclosed with a broad marginal band of dwarf-growing subjects 
are the most effective. A favourite plan with some amateurs is to 
fill the beds with bands of several colours; a small block is formed 
in the middle, and then follow bands from fifteen to eighteen inches 
in breadth, until the bed is filled. The effect is seldom satisfactory ; 
and when there are several beds together, a difficulty is experienced 
in arranging the planting so as to produce a satisfactory effect. 
But when each bed consists of one colour only, the effect is more 
decisive, and even those who have had but little practice will seldom 
experience any difficulty in producing a tasteful combination. 
Mixed beds of verbenas, petunias, annual phloxes, and so forth, are 
as a rule very effective, and the objection urged against beds planted 
in bands does not apply to them. 
The marginal bands should range from nine to fifteen inches in 
breadth, according whether the bed is small or large. They may be 
formed with one, two, or three distinct classes of plants according 
to taste. The band may, for example, be formed entirely with one 
of the geraniums grown for the sake of their leafage, or one of the 
centaureas; or it may be formed with three lines, each consisting 
of three distinct plants. When formed with three lines, the outside 
line may consist of Cerastium tomentosum, the next line of one of 
the blue Lobelias, and the inside line of Centaurea ragusina, or a 
geranium with silvery variegation. Or if a golden-leaved plant 
would be more suitable, the outside line may be formed with Golden 
Feather, the next line with Alternanthera magnifica, and the inside 
line with Crystal Palace Gem geranium. ‘These combinations form 
most effective edgings for large beds, and afford an opportunity for 
the employment of both Alternantheras and dwarf Lobelias in the 
most satisfactory manner possible. As a rule, the middle line should 
balance the central block of colour. As an illustration, it may be 
mentioned that when the centre is filled with dark foliage plants, 
the middle line should be formed with Alternantheras or the dark- 
leayed Ajuga. When the marginal bands consist of two classes of 
plants only, the same plant should be employed for the outside line, 
and for the line next the central block. For scarlet or pink gera- 
niums, either white or yellow-leaved bedders are suitable for edging 
purposes, but for dark foliage beds, golden-leaved plants are the 
most effective, or for beds of blue or purplish flowers, silvery leafage 
is preferable. Alternantheras or other dark-leaved subjects may be 
used for the formation of the middle line of edgings, of either yellow 
or silvery leafage, but blue Lobelias should only be planted in combi- 
nation with the latter; for blue and yellow do not produce a pleasing 
combination. For the same reason beds of blue flowers ought not 
May, 
