Setting Out the Bedding Plants 



WITH the arrival of June weather 

 the temperature generally has 

 I become sufficiently high to per- 



knit of the majority of bedding plants 

 peing planted in the open. The main 

 object in filling the beds should be to 

 produce an effect that will be pleasing 

 to the passer-by. The tastes of those 

 in charge of planting vary so much that 

 no two, perhaps, would make the same 

 selections. Besides, the opportunities 

 for preparing the plants will, to a certain 

 extent, control the specimens used. If 

 a greenhouse is at hand in which to 

 propagate plants of all kinds, more 

 variety can be had than if the plants 

 are to be purchased in the spring. 



In a recent interview with a represent- 

 ative of The Canadian Horticultur- 

 ist, Mr. E. F. Collins, of the Allan 

 Gardens, Toronto, discussed the most 

 satisfactory plants for bedding pur- 

 poses and the cultural conditions that 

 produce the best results. The propa- 

 gation of some of the plants commonly 

 used for this purpose was dealt with 

 by Mr. Collins in the January number 

 of The Horticulturist. Those who 

 have greenhouses will have a supply of 

 bedding stock on hand, while those who 

 have to secure their supply from a 

 florist will be benefited by a review of 

 his experiences. 



"For bedding purposes on the average 

 lawn," said Mr. Collins, "geraniums 

 rank highest. For best effect they 



should be planted one to every square 

 foot in the bed. A circular bed 10 feet 

 in diameter would require about 75. 

 The silver-leaved geranium, Madame 

 Saleroi, makes suitable edging for a 

 geranium bed. They should be set 

 about 10 or 12 inches apart. Asters, 

 phlox and petunias also are very desir- 

 able on account of the great display 

 that can be made by using them, as well 

 as on account of their cheapness. 

 These plants should never be set closer 

 than 15 inches apart. They soon spread 

 to cover the whole space. Cannas, too, 

 are excellent for bedding purposes. 

 They can be placed two feet apart if 

 the plants are strong, and will present a 

 grand display of both foliage and bloom. 

 "Nasturtiums fill an important place 

 in the average garden. They are rapid 

 growers and produce a good effect. 

 Except for geometric beds the coleus is 

 being discarded. By using the different 

 varieties a brilliant color effect can be 

 produced, but a late frost gives them a 

 ragged appearance that requires several 

 weeks to overcome, and later in the 

 season the mealy bug frequently be- 

 comes troublesome, and the plants are 

 practically destroyed in many cases. 

 The leaves often fall off and the bare 

 stocks present a repulsive appearance. 

 This insect pest cannot be kept down 

 after the plants are set in the open. 

 The woolly covering which nature has 

 provided so protepts the insect that any 



treatment that will destroy it also kills 

 the plant. Irisenes, too, are suitable 

 for color designs and patterns, but are 

 not very commonly used. They are 

 strong growers and free from insect 

 pests. When set in the open they grow 

 so rapidly that no damage is done by 

 insects which are usually found on such 

 plants. 



"Begonias," continued Mr. Collins, 

 "are very desirable for bedding pur- 

 poses. When a bed is planted with 

 some of the better varieties and edged 

 with a plant of low growing and spread- 

 ing habit, such as the sweet alyssum, 

 the effect is very pleasing. The alyssum 

 seems to have something that blends 

 well with the begonias. Centaurea and 

 such plants are not so suitable for edging 

 beds of begonias. Beautiful effects can 

 be produced on a large open space by 

 planting a bed with yellow coleuses and 

 blue ageratum. The plants should be 

 set alternately with two coleuses to one 

 ageratum. No matter how hot the 

 weather the display is always attractive. 

 Madame Saleroi geranium and the ager- 

 atum produce a similar effect. The 

 plants should be set about one foot 

 apart. 



RIBBON BORDERS 



"In making ribbon borders," said 

 Mr. Collins, "the main point is to select 

 colors that blend well. There is nothing 

 better than pink, white and blue. Two 

 rows of pink geraniums along the centre 



Station Improvement Along the Line of The Canadian Pacific Railway 



The Floral Department of the Canadian Pacific Railway, under Mr. N. S. Dunlop, is doing excellent work improving tlic appearance of the railway stations along the 

 line of tile railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This illustration is from a photograph of the station at Markdale, Ont. Mr. J. Caesar is the agent. 



