228 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



trimming. Circles or masses composed of flowering plants 

 usually cannot be cut back at the top, so that the habit of the 

 plants must be known before planting; and the plants must be 

 placed in parts of the bed where trimming will not be necessary. 

 They may be clipped at the sides, however, in case the branches 

 or leaves of one mass or line in the pattern grow beyond their 

 proper bounds. 



The numbers of good annuals and perennials that may be 

 used in flower-beds are now very large, and one may have a wide 

 choice. Various lists from which one may choose are given 

 at the end of this chapter; but special comment may be made 

 on those most suitable for bedding, and in its modification in 

 ribbon-work and sub-tropical massing. 



Bedding effects. 



Bedding is ordinarily a temporary species of planting; that 

 is, the bed is filled anew each year. However, the term may 

 be used to designate a permanent plantation in which the 

 plants are heavily massed so as to give one continuous or em- 

 phatic display of form or color. Some of the best permanent 

 bedding masses are made of the various hardy ornamental 

 grasses, as eulahas, arundo, and the like. The color effects in 

 bedding may be secured with flowers or with foliage. 



Summer bedding is often made by perennial plants that are 

 carried over from the preceding year, or better, that are propa- 

 gated for that particular purpose in February and March. 

 Such plants as geranium, coleus, alyssum, scarlet salvia, agera- 

 tum, and heliotrope may be used for these beds. It is a com- 

 mon practice to use geranium plants which are in bloom during 

 the winter for bedding out during the summer, but such plants 

 are tall and ungainly in form and have expended the greater 

 part of their energies. It is better to propagate new plants by 

 taking cuttings or slips late in the winter and setting out young 

 fresh vigorous subjects. (Page 30.) 



