FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 247 



Considering such flowers as the finishing decorations of a 

 home, as accessory embellishments rather than principal features, 

 it is desired to suggest the places where they may be put with the 

 best effect rather than to give descriptions of even a small number 

 of their almost innumerable variety. The immense collections of 

 our leading seedsmen, and their beautifully illustrated catalogues, 

 give a bewildering sense of the folly of attempting to know, much 

 less to grow, a hundredth part of those which are reputed desira- 

 ble ; and they also force upon us the wise reflection that the good 

 growth and skilful arrangement of a few species only, will produce 

 effects quite as pleasing as can be attained with the greatest 

 variety. 



Annuals, perennials, and bedding plants are used in three 

 tolerably distinct modes, viz. : First, in narrow beds bordering a 

 straight walk to a main entrance, or skirting the main walk of a 

 kitchen-garden. Second, in a variety of beds of more or less 

 symmetrical patterns, grouped to form a flower-garden or parterre, 

 to be an object of interest independent of its surroundings. 

 Third, as adjuncts and embellishments of a lawn, of groups of 

 shrubs, of walks and window views, to be planted with reference to 

 their effect in connection with other things. 



On large and expensively kept grounds all these styles may be 

 maintained in appropriate places respectively. But on small 

 lots the first or the last mode should be adopted, though some- 

 times both may be desirable. 



The simplest and rudest mode of planting in the first style, is 

 to border a walk closely with a continuous bed from two to four 

 feet wide, filled with flowering plants of all sizes and shapes and 

 periods of bloom, here overhanging the walk with unkempt growth, 

 like weeds, there leaving a broad barren spot where spring-flowers 

 have bloomed and withered. Fortunately this mode is becoming 

 less common, and the pretty setting of a margin of well-cut grass, 

 is better appreciated than formerly. 



Flower-beds cut in the grass have a more pleasing effect than 

 when bordered by gravel-walks. When made as marginal embel- 

 lishments of straight walks, they should rarely be cut nearer than 

 two feet from the side of the walk if they are of much length 



