THE HOME FLORIST, 



II 



ter. I have found in practice that in planting circular or oval ribbon beds it is best to plant 

 the largest or outside circle first, finishing in the center. Fig. 13 represents a long ribbon 

 bed planted with five lines of plants of various colors. One of the finest specimens of ribbon 

 planting which I have seen, was a large oval bed 12 by 1 8 feet in diameter, with the first row 



Fig. 12. Planting in masses of color. 



I 3- Long Ribbon Bed. 



next the edge planted with Variegated Sweet Alyssum, eight inches apart, the second from the 

 edge with Alternantheras ten inches apart ; third, Centaurea Candida, fourteen inches apart ; 

 fourth, Coleus Verschaffeltii, sixteen inches apart ; fifth, Caladium Esculentum, a foot and a half 

 apart; sixth, Abutilon Thompsonii, fifteen inches apart ; the centre was planted with large Can- 

 nas, intermixed with Gladiolus. This bed was exceedingly beautiful for months. It will be 

 noticed that the tallest plants occupied the center, while each circle toward the edge contained 

 plants of less height. Where smaller beds are desired, a less number of circles or lines will be 

 necessary ; one might be made with a large scarlet Geranium, Gladiolus or double Zinnias, for 

 the centre, with white Feverfew, Centaurea or white Phlox Drummondii next, and surrounding 

 these, Larkspur, Heliotrope, or other blue flowers, with yellow Calceolaria or Dwarf Nastur- 

 tium next, and outside of all plant a circle of Variegated Thyme, Sweet Alyssum, Mignonette, 

 or other low-growing plant. A very pretty long ribbon bed is made by taking different colors 

 of the same flower, like Phlox Drummondii, Portulaca, Verbenas, Stocks, and others described 

 as being suitable. With a little care in studying descriptions, and a little experience, the work 

 of arranging these beds becomes easy, pleasant and interesting. 



Planting Mixed Borders and Beds. A very common arrangement of flower 

 beds consists in making borders along the walks, four, five or more feet wide; large beds in the 

 lawn or separate, or a centre bed in the vegetable garden, and planting promiscuously with a 

 general variety of all kinds and seasons of flowering. Be careful at planting time to place the 

 tallest growers, such as Hollyhocks, Ricinus, Dahlias, etc., in the background of the border 

 beds, or in the center of beds sur- 

 rounded by walks, else they might 

 hide some smaller growths. Where 

 it is possible, plants and flowers of 

 contrasting colors should be set 

 to show to the best advantage , 

 and those flowering at different 

 times, to make the display contin- 

 ual throughout. Fig. 14 illus- 

 trates a plan for flower beds in a 

 walk bordered with shrubbery. 



Flower Beds for Con- 

 stant Cutting .-It never seems 

 right to see beds that were planted 



of young, fresh flowers for the table, bouquets, or to cut for friends. It is much better 

 to have a bed or mixed border near at hand planted with free blooming varieties that are desira- 

 ble for fragrance and brilliant colors, especially for this purpose. These will bloom all the 

 more constant for having the young flowers cut as fast as they open, and it is surprising to see 

 the amount of flowers that can daily be cut from quite a small bed. Such a bed snould be 

 planted largely with annual Phlox Drummondii, vSweet Pea, Zinnia, Stocks, Candytuft, Mig- 

 nonette, besides Heliotrope, monthly Roses, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Geranium, Verbena, Pansy 

 and others. An abundance of green snould also be provided for, as foliage is an important item 

 in all floral arrangements, a matter which is too frequently overlooked by both amateur and com- 

 mercial florists. Nothing can be cultivated to supply this better than Shrubland Pet and the 

 Rose Scented Geraniums, two varieties of this valuable family of plants that are easily propa- 

 gated by every one, and which grow with great vigor if taken from the pots and planted in fertile 

 soil. A few plants of each will afford a large supply of delightful green foliage, unequalled 

 in the first named variety, for its beautiful dense foliage and many clusters of brilliant crimson 

 flowers all summer, and in the latter for the agreeable, refreshing fragrance of the foliage, which 

 is also of a deep green color and of beautiful form. There are several varieties of so-called 

 Rose Geraniums, all differing somewhat in fragrance and appearance, most of which are vastly 

 inferior, in all important respects, to the true rose-scented variety. Then, some plants, with beau- 

 tiful foliage, such as Abutilon Thompsonii, Centaurea Gymnocarpa or the Achryanthes, Amar- 

 anthus, etc., should not be everlooked. These will furnish a variation of material for intermix- 

 ing with and edging flowers in bouquets, baskets, and other arrangements, that is very desirable 

 along with green. Smilax is a plant with finer green foliage than the Geraniums alluded 



