FOR THE HOME BEAUTIFUL 129 



POPULAR BEDDING PLANTS 



EVERYWHERE, we see the public squares and 

 parks, the pretentious grounds of public buildings 

 and the large private estates making an ever- 

 increasing use of the bright-colored and beautiful 

 bedding plants, adding attractive touches of bright 

 gay color to the landscape. 



For the average home lawn the author does not 

 advocate the breaking up of the greensward with 

 formal beds, but rather, their use as border plant- 

 ings before foundations, low porches, and along 

 walks and drives, also with the taller sorts as a 

 background planting in beds, planned to screen 

 gardens or other views that it is desirable to 

 conceal. 



Border plantings in beds 2% to 3 feet in depth 

 are usually found very beautiful and appropriate 

 for along the walks or driveways. Where possible 

 a spot laid out entirely as a formal garden also 

 has its charming features. 



The more popular of the plants used for these 

 purposes are the geranium, coleus, begonia, pe- 

 tunia, salvia or scarlet sage, cannas, caladium, 

 aster, zinnia, and some others we might mention, 

 such as the coleus and other bright foliage plants. 



One very pretty effect to be had is a solid bed 



