FLOWER-BEDS 241 



PLANTS FOR FLORAL EFFECTS* 



(ERNEST WALKER) 

 1. Remarks on Floicer-beds 



THE VARIOUS STYLES OF PLANTING. The mixed border, 

 planted with various hardy plants, and extending along 

 either side of the garden-walk, was popular years ago; 

 and, with modifications in position, form and extent, has, 

 during the past few years, been a popular attachment to 

 home grounds. (See Hardy Herbaceous Plants, page 278.) 

 To produce the best effects, the plants should be planted 

 close enough to cover the ground; and the selection 

 should be such as to afford a continuity of bloom. 



There is also the border of tender summer-blooming 

 plants, in which the kinds are planted in a mixed fashion. 



In ribbon-bedding, so-called, flowering or foliage plants 

 are arranged in ribbon-like lines of harmoniously con- 

 trasting colors, commonly accompanying walks or drives, 

 but also suitable for marking limits, or for the side 

 borders. In such beds, as well as the others, the tallest 

 plants, if the bed is to be seen from one side only, will 

 be placed at the back, and the lowest at the front. If 

 it is to be seen from both sides, then the tallest will 

 stand in the center. 



A modification of the ribbon-line, bringing the con- 

 trasting colors together into masses forming circles or 

 other patterns, is known as "massing," or "massing in 

 color," and sometimes is spoken of as carpet-bedding. 



Carpet-bedding, however, belongs more properly to a 

 style of bedding in which plants of dense, low, spreading 



* Since new and good varieties of flowering plants are constantly 

 being offered, and fashions are changing, it is generally impracticable 

 to give lists of named varieties in a book. These varieties should be 

 chosen after consulting the annual or periodical publications, as seeds- 

 men's and plantsmeu's catalogues, journals, and bulletins. L, H. B, 



