i8o POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



the Zonal Geranium was the hero of it. Flower-gar- 

 deners scrambled after novelties eagerly, and paid high 

 prices for them. The introduction of a new variety 

 became quite an event in the floral world. 



Flower-lovers of artistic tastes revolted at length. 

 After all, what was there in a border of scarlet, yellow, 

 and blue, the plants in regular lines ? And what was 

 there in a bed of red Geraniums with a belt of blue 

 Lobelia round it ? It had, and has, its public, like a 

 murder mystery, but it was not a public of educated 

 modern gardeners. Besides, the plants were tender, and 

 had to be wintered under glass. 



In the end the bedding-out craze collapsed ; narrow 

 ribbon borders disappeared, and broad herbaceous 

 borders took their place. Beds were reduced in number 

 to make room for larger borders in small places, and 

 were enlarged and planted with Roses, Carnations, 

 Chrysanthemums, and other good hardy plants. 



Winter Bloom. The Geranium did not die out it 

 was far too valuable a plant for that but it retained 

 favour mainly as a winter plant for warm greenhouses 

 and conservatories. It was, and is, admirably adapted 

 to winter use. Large plants can be secured from cut- 

 tings in six months, and with very little attention and 

 no great amount of heat 50 sufficing they will bloom 

 for the whole of the winter. The diversity and brilli- 

 ance of the colours are unequalled by any other winter- 

 blooming plant. A collection of well-grown Zonals is 

 a most valuable asset in winter. It is as sparkling and 

 enlivening as a display of fireworks a little startling, 

 perhaps, like the rockets, if there is a preponderance of 

 the most vivid colours, such as scarlet, crimson, salmon, 

 and vermilion ; but there is no reason why the charming 

 whites and pinks, of which there are so many good 



