6 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



brilliant in hue as quite to equal, if not surpass, the colours of the finest Zonal 

 Pelargoniums in existence, and a mass of such flowers viewed under the 

 influence of bright sunshine presents a broad effect of rich and solid colour as 

 can scarcely be equalled by any other means. Again, the white-flowered varieties, 

 which are now exceedingly pure in colour, and have been vastly improved not 

 only in habit but in every other respect, compared with what they were a very 

 few years ago the delicate pink shades, the purplish-crimsons, with other fine 

 tints, and, above all, the more or less pure yellow blooms are a welcome 

 addition to our parterres and borders, and will generally be found to flower 

 as freely as the commoner red and scarlet sections. 



Among many other arrangements one of the most taking combinations 

 consists of a careful, but seemingly careless and natural, grouping of several 

 varieties of ornamental-foliaged sub-tropical subjects, with a fevg Fuchsias or 

 other flowering plants, and Begpnias of various colours. For instance, take a 

 few plants each of Castor- Oil (Ricinus), Cannas, Japanese Maize, Perilla, 

 Amaranthus, Abutilons, and Nicotianas, with perhaps a Dracaena or Palm or 

 two, and a few Fuchsias, yellow Calceolarias or the like, and arrange them 

 carefully in a circular or other suitably-shaped bed, with a dozen or so of 

 Begonias of various colours and height, some large old specimens being placed 

 among the taller occupants of the centre or back portion of the bed or border, 

 with the smaller and dwarfer examples towards the front or edge ; and if the 

 whole is well done and the colours, etc., judiciously contrasted, a most beautiful 

 effect will be produced. It is not desirable to arrange the various plants so 

 as to produce a too-regular gradation in height, for a much better result is 

 attained by allowing here and there a tall Begonia or Fuchsia to rise well above 

 dwarfer Amaranthus, Calceolarias, or the like ; or a graceful Dracfpna or 

 Grevillea here and there to break the monotony of a group or ring of low- 

 growing Begonias. This portion of the subject will, however, be dealt with 

 more fully in another chapter. 



In filling hollows in rustic stumps of trees, or ornamental flower-stands, 

 vases, etc., these Begonias are exceedingly useful and effective, usually flourish- 

 ing remarkably in such positions. As a rule, single varieties are most suitable 

 for this and ;kindred purposes, and where the plant is on a level with, or 

 above the average level of the eye, drooping-flowered kinds give the best 

 effect. Foi hanging baskets, either in or out of doors they are equally 

 well adapted, and in this case only those of drooping habit should be em- 

 ployed. Some of the free-growing and profusely-flowering doubles are very 

 effective as basket plants in the greenhouse or conservatory. Wherever Begonias 

 are employed in any of the above methods in the open air, it is note -worthy 

 that the situation can scarcely be too sunny to suit them, if only the roots 

 are kept well supplied with moisture ; whereas, under glass, they seem to 

 endure but a very moderate amount of summer sunshine without injury. 

 At the same time, plants in the open air, especially when on elevated posi- 



