244 PLANTING THE ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS 



Let us pass to considerations purely practical: What- 

 ever place is selected for the bed, it should be in a sunny 

 situation. This, nor any kind of bed, should not be 

 planted near large trees, as their greedy roots will rob the 

 soil not only of its food, but of moisture. The shade, 

 also [will be a menace. As the plants stand so thick, 

 the soil should be well enriched, and spaded at least a 

 foot deep. In planting, a space of at least six inches 

 must be left between the outer row of plants and the 

 edge of the grass. The very style of the bed requires 

 that lines be straight, the curves uniform, and that they 

 be kept so by the frequent and careful use of the shears. 

 During dry periods watering will be necessary. The beds, 

 however, should not be watered in the hot sunshine. 

 Foliage plants are most in use, and are the ones which 

 will prove the most satisfactory in the hands of the 

 inexperienced, as they submit to severe clipping and are 

 thus more easily managed. 



The following list will be found helpful to the beginner. 

 It embraces a number of the plants in common use for 

 carpet-bedding. Other useful kinds will be found under 

 the discussion of annuals (page 255). The usual heights 

 are given in inches. This, of course, in different soils 

 and under different treatment is, more or less, a variable 

 quantity. The figures in parentheses suggest in inches 

 suitable distances for planting in the row when immediate 

 effects are expected. A verbena in rich soil will in time 

 cover a circle three feet or more in diameter; other 

 plants mentioned spread considerably; but when used in 

 the carpet-bed they must be planted close. One can 

 not wait for them to grow. The aim is to cover the 

 ground at once. Although planted thick in the row, 

 it will be desirable to leave more room between the rows 

 in case of spreading plants like the verbena. Most of 

 them, however, need little if any more space between 

 the rows than is indicated by the figures given. In the 



