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VILLA GAKDENING pai;t i 



,aiudo variegatum and scarlet Vesuvius Geranium ; No. 6. Tall 

 blue Lupin and Harrison's Musk. It will be noticed that the 

 plants named are mostly common enough and easily obtained. 

 Many other examples miglit be cited, but it is hardly necessary. 

 Those who like fcjliage might use the Castor-oils, Acacia lophantha, 

 Grevillea robusta, Cannas, Solanums, etc., instead of flowering 

 plants, or by way of a change. Mixed beds of two or more plants 

 to make a change are lightsome and cheering. Everybody must 

 be familiar witli the shot-silk mixture of the late Donald Beaton's 

 — purple ^'erbonas and Manglesi Pelargonium; but there are plenty 

 of efiective mixtures. Heliotrope and Abutilon Thompsoni being 

 one, and Heliotrope and Gladiolus Brenchleyensis being another. 

 A very sweet and effective mixture may be formed with Mignonette 

 and scarlet or pink Geraniums, the Mignonette to be pinched in 

 occasionally to keej) it within bounds. Viola Blue Perfection and 

 white variegated Geranium Fktwer of spring always attract atten- 

 tion, and the old Viola cornuta, mixed with Mrs. Pollock or some 

 of the golden tricolours, are equally quiet and effective. There are 

 many kinds of liardy plants which will form very effective masses 

 alone and unaided. The Antirrhinums or Snapdragons, sown in 

 heat in spring, pricked off when large enough, and planted out 

 finally in IMay, are quite a novel feature. After the usual way of 

 filling the beds has tired one out, Pcntstemons from seed are quite 

 as effective treated in the same way, planted about a foot apart, 

 and pinched in a little at first. 



As an autumn flower, the Lobelia fulgens has few equals. I 

 like to plant it thinly over a carpet of some low-growing plants 

 with either golden foliage or flowers — the Golden Pyrethrum has 

 often been used for this purpose, and the low-growing Golden 

 Mesembryanthemum forms a good foil to the dark foliage and 

 elegant habit of the Lobelia. The Rudbeckias speciosa and New- 

 manni, Tritomas grandiflora and glaucescens. The autumn flower- 

 ing Anemones from Japan are unequalled. We had, I was told, 

 the best mass of these last year to be seen for miles around. It 

 was quite a feature from August till the frost came. Fuchsias 

 may, with advantage, receive more attention ; the old hardy Ric- 

 cartoni being exceedingly graceful and pretty. Fuchsia globosa, 

 mounted on short stems, are very effective over a low contrasting 

 groundwork of white or golden foliage. Fuchsia Rose of Castile 

 may be as effectively employed with light-blue Lobelias. Masses 

 of the Celandine tree, or the Giant Knotweed, will always pre- 

 sent a striking feature in autumn. Clumps of Lavender and 

 Pampas Grass, isolated on the Grass, are always effective ; and 

 among foliaged plants which are easily raised, Canna.s and 



