SUBTROPICAL GARDENING. 119 



It adds much to the effectiveness of the beds to plant their 

 centres with tubers, and to edge them with seedlings of Canna 

 limbata. Seeds started early in April will make plants large 

 enough for this purpose by the first of June ; they should be set 

 out twelve inches apart, and eighteen inches from the older plants ; 

 they grow from two to two and a half feet in height, and having 

 leaves to the very ground, give a massive effect and luxuriance to 

 the beds not attained by plants from tubers alone. For color, 

 surround these seedlings with dwarf pelargoniums, Golden 

 Feather, or Achyranthes Lindeni. 



CalacUum esculentum, five or six in a round bed, planted not too 

 closely ; single plants of the green Arunclo donax, surrounded by 

 those of the variegated varieties ; specimens of Bicinus sanguin- 

 eus for red, and Brasiliensis for green, which will grow eight feet 

 • in height in a single season from seed, in a rich soil and with plenty 

 of water ; the dark green Gymnothrix latifoUa, the perfection of 

 symmetry ; and EriantJuis Bavennce, the perfection of grace ; the 

 Cyperus Papyms; and, for those who have room for winter keeping, 

 the Mxisa Ensete, are some of the plants suitable for the purpose. 



The surfaces of such beds should be carpeted with dense, low- 

 growing plants of variegated foliage, as Abutilon vexillarium 

 pictuvi, or the Japan honeysuckle {Lonicera aureo-retictdata) ^ 

 or flowering plants, as Lobelia pumila grandiflora, Nierembergia 

 gracilis, or Clematis Jackmanni. 



The Pampas Grass is another superb object ; but, unlike those 

 above mentioned (excepting Erianthus Bavennce), may be left in 

 the ground in win^ter ; and, if covered with a large barrel with 

 strawy manure piled up to and over the top, will geuerall}^ go 

 through unharmed, and increase in size and beauty year by year. 

 For a perfectly hardy subject the Ailanthus, grown to the height 

 of eight or ten feet and pruned closely back each je&r to the top 

 of the stem, will send out long, drooping, pinnate leaves, which 

 rival palms in elegance and effect. Aralia canescens and Dimor- 

 pJiantus Mandscliuricus, entirely hardy, should have a place where 

 room can be given them for the spread of their great leaves. If 

 3'ou have a rocky bank where grass will not grow, plant Yucca 

 filamentosa, free flowering and the hardiest of its race. 



Succulents may be used in subtropical gardening, but should be 

 kept in beds by themselves and only planted in the more artificial 

 parts of the grounds. A great variety ot these may be grown 

 together, — Agaves, Echeverias, and Sempervivums. Put the 



