130 fflowerXJBeDs anfc Borders. 



flowers, highly colored foliage-plants of compact habit, and 

 subtropical plants of luxurious growth ; palms, bananas, 

 cycads, and tree-ferns to a limited extent. 



Mosaic or carpet-bedding is a special class of summer 

 display. The plants being dwarf and compact with highly 

 colored leaves of a silvery white, bright yellow, vivid green 

 or various shades of red, are planted so as to form patterns 

 of mathematical figures ; the circle and the square, with 

 numerous modifications, are the chief forms. It requires 

 both skill and expense to produce good results, and is only 

 kept up through continual care. Several carpet-beds show- 

 ing the mode of arrangement are reproduced in the accom- 

 panying figure. As examples of the plants used the follow- 

 ing are interesting : Gray or silvery white Gpaphalium, 

 Mesembryanthemum cordifolium var., Santolina incana, 

 Centaurea ragusina, Cineraria maritima, Cerastium, and 

 Artemisia; yellow Pyrethrum golden feather, several 

 coleus, Alternanthera p. aurea; rose and bright tints of crimson 

 mixed with other colors Acalypha, Coleus, Alternanthera, 

 Irisiue, and Achyrauthes ; black, purple, or maroon several 

 Coleus, Perilla, red-leaved Oxalis and clover; succulent 

 plants Echeveria, Sempervivum, Sedum, small century 

 plants, Yucca, Cordyline, and cactus ; flowering plants 

 Lobelia fulgens (scarlet), Lobelia erinus (blue and white), 

 and Ageratum (blue and white) ; sul-tropical plants Gre- 

 villea, Acacia lophanta, crotons, abutilons, screw pines, and 

 palms. 



Somewhat distinct and extremely beautiful effects are 

 produced by large-leaved plants of quick and robust growth 

 such as Musa ensete, Wigandia caracasana, Aralia papy- 



