41 



CHAPTER III. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS. 



The list of plants suitable for spring bedding is not a 

 large one, as so many plants which are otherwise suitable do 

 not commence flowering until May. They cannot therefore be 

 cleared off in time for the summer occupants, as the beds 

 require a fortnight's rest before planting again. The grower 

 has a choicer and softer set of colours than those used for 

 summer bedding, and is not so liable to produce unpleasant 

 effects, but the shades of blue in Aubrietia and Myosotis 

 require great care in selecting their places. Erica carnea and 

 Lunaria biennis (Honesty) are also difficult plants to group 

 with others. 



In regard to the form of the plants, there is not much 

 choice of light foliage to take off the heaviness of some of the 

 flowering plants when grown in large masses, such as wall- 

 flowers, Aubrietias and others. I have depended largely on 

 tulips for adding grace and finish to the picture. The selec- 

 tion of varieties on pages 9 & 1 gives a wide range of colours, 

 and two different periods of flowering the varieties marked 

 " late " should only be used among Wallflowers, Phloxes, 

 Violas, Stocks and Myosotis, they will thus coincide fairly 



