192 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



with a touch of blue, such as Lobelia speciosa, perhaps, and a few 

 double Alyssums. The main planting consists of either pink or 

 red Geraniums, some Ageratums, maybe a couple of Marguerites 

 and the same of Dusty Miller. Coleus is not used as much as in 

 former times yet, if given room and if the right colors are selected, 

 it is all right. I doubt whether any plant can stand more and 

 still look presentable than Geraniums, and usually when a customer 

 has had her way for two or three years in selecting just what she 

 wants to suit her taste and color scheme, she is very apt to come 

 back to Geraniums and use them ever afterward. 



When filling a box or vase always see to it that you get soil in 

 between the rootballs of the plants. This is really necessary if 

 you want the plants to do well; work it in with your fingers and 

 get in all you can, but always leave the surface a little below the 

 edges to allow for watering. Provide good drainage, use good soil 

 and don't crowd, which is not necessary if you have bushy plants to 

 fill with. 



For the center of a vase there is nothing to beat Dracaena in- 

 divisa. When it comes to filling either a vase or a box in a shady 

 position Impatiens is excellent; next in order we have the tuberous 

 Begonias, and even the fancy-leaved Caladiums can be used. As- 



Fig. 67. PERFECTION IN A BEDDING PLANT. Geranium Jean Viaud is of dwarf 

 habit and produces extra heavy trusses of large flowers of a soft mauve color all 

 Summer long. So long as we can offer such Geraniums as this there will always be 

 a demand for them for bedding, no matter how many other plants there are that 



might take their place 



