116 THE FLORAL "WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



hardy bedders, altbougli not grown extensively, are amongst the finest 

 in the respective classes, and by growiug a fair proportion of these, 

 there will be less labour in propagating tender things, and as less space 

 under glass will be taken up, more room will be afforded for plants 

 required for the decoration of the conservatory. They do not super- 

 sede the best of the tender bedders, and none of them can equal in 

 colouring such things as the alternantheras and coleus, but they will 

 be found of immense value in helping to eke these things out, and 

 in combination with some of the best annuals most sumptuous leaf- 

 beds may be formed without the assistance of a single plant kept in 

 the greenhouse through the winter. 



It will not be practicable to work up a sufficient stock of many 

 of the plants that will be enumerated, to admit of their being 

 planted in the flower garden in the forthcoming summer ; but I 

 would strongly advise my readers to purchase a few examples of the 

 plants likely to be useful to them, and to put them out in an open 

 position in the reserve ground or kitchen garden, to afford them 

 an opportunity to become acquainted with their characteristics in 

 the course of the season, and then propagate a stock sufficient for 

 next season's work. In giving the names of those of the highest 

 value I shall append a few remarks to assist the amateur in select- 

 ing and increasing the stock of those purchased. 



Haedt Bedders with Dark Foliage. — Ajuga reptans pur- 

 purea, a dense free-growing plant with deep bronzy leaves, usually 

 attaining a height of four or five inches. It is readily increased by 

 division, and strong plants purchased now may be broken up into as 

 many portions as there are separate crowns. These can be planted 

 out in rows in the reserve ground, aud in the spring may be again 

 divided and planted in the beds six inches apart. It is useful for 

 second lines and panels. It must have a sunny position to bring out 

 the full colour. 



Beets. — The beets are hardly entitled to a place here ; but they 

 are so effective in large beds, and in third or fourth rows in borders, 

 that it may be well to mention them. 



Belvoir Castle is the highest coloured beet for bedding, and 

 seed may be sown about the middle of the month, where the plants 

 are to remain, and may then be thinned to a distance of six inches 

 apart. 



Oxalis corniculata ruhra. — A. very pretty little plant for carpet 

 work ; the foliage is small and of deep bronzy colour. It may be 

 used with good effect in second rows, and in small patterns, provided 

 it is kept within bounds. It can be increased by breaking up the 

 established plants. 



Hardy Bedders with Silvery Leafage. — Achillea umheUata is 

 a pretty white-leaved plant, forming a dense band about three inches 

 in width, and six inches high. It is very difficult of propagation, 

 and therefore not well adapted for amateurs. 



Antennaria tomeidosum, a very dwarf plant, growing close upon 

 the surface, and forming a silvery carpet. It is only suitable for 

 nice friable soils, as on sandy soils it dies in patches in the summer, 

 and on those of cold tenacious character perishes in winter. It is 



