FOR BEDDING OUT. 83 



pure white will generally possess a dwarf and floriferous habit, while those of 

 the "Alba floribunda" type form perfect little bushes, laden with small white 

 or creamy blossoms. Those with yellow flowers are almost invariably dwarf in 

 habit, particularly where the flowers are pure in colour and fine, and run more 

 to bloom than growth. But these have not on the whole nearly so much 

 vigour as the other colours, and unless planted only on a warm and favour- 

 able aspect, or in a favourable season, are not always so successful out of 

 doors as might be desired. Some of the most delicate and beautiful shades of 

 pink are very dwarf and branching ; but these, with some yellows, and even 

 whites, have an unpleasant tendency to drop the male blooms directly they 

 expand, and sometimes while in the bud. Careless or injudicious treatment, 

 or an unhealthy state by whatever cause induced even sudden changes in 

 temperature is often the cause of this fault, but some seedlings are constitu- 

 tionally affected in this manner, and if the fault is persistent, it is better to 

 throw the plants away. 



The best plan is undoubtedly to purchase bulbs that have been carefully 

 selected and marked, not only as to colour, but as regards height, habit, and 

 even size and character of the flower ; or better still, to make the selection 

 yourself. The plants can then be arranged as desired, with a much better 

 prospect of obtaining a good result. When Begonias are planted in mathe- 

 matical order in lines, circles, or the like, of distinct colours, in the same 

 way as Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, etc., the effect is not nearly so formal 

 and stiff as is the case with most other subjects, owing to the quaint and 

 graceful habit or style of these plants ; in fact they present an appearance 

 more nearly resembling that of the Fuchsia than any other plant, but with 

 more substance and colour. On the whole we scarcely think it is advisable 

 that large beds should be filled with Begonias alone, unless perhaps they 

 be very much varied in height, colour and size, and character of the 

 blooms. An artistically studied, but not too formal combination of these 

 and other subjects usually employed for bedding and sub-tropical gardening 

 will afford a much more pleasing effect, though small circular or fancy beds 

 entirely filled with one, two, or more colours of Begonias, matching or con- 

 trasting the shades as carefully as possible, are very desirable and effective. 

 But in these matters individual taste, though not infallible, goes a very long 

 way, and a combination that may be pleasing to one often strongly offends 

 the eye of another, though both may have the artistic taste more or less 

 strongly developed or cultivated. 



SUITABLE PLANTS FOR COMBINATIONS. 



PERHAPS a few suggestions for suitable combinations of Begonias with other 

 plants may not be out of place before closing this chapter. First, Begonias 

 and Marguerites (Paris Daisies) almost invariably go well together. We saw 



