June Flowers and Fragrance 



of the disadvantages consequent upon summer bedding 

 is that the plants, being tender, must be kept under glass 

 throughout winter, and spring flowers, which are planted 

 in autumn, have to be grown on a reserve piece of 

 ground throughout summer. Some bedding plants ar9 

 suitable for furnishing window boxes, such, for example, 

 as the Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, Lobelia, Marguerite, Cal- 

 ceolaria, Petunia, Verbena and so on, and now is the 

 time to attend to this. 



One may fill beds with flowering plants, with foliage 

 plants, or with a mixture of the two. The simpler the 

 scheme of planting, the more effective it usually proves. 

 No summer bedding plant surpasses the Geranium, or more 

 correctly Zonal Pelargonium, for brilliance of colour, 

 though it is doubtful if its attractiveness is increased 

 by association with yellow Calceolaria and blue Lobelia, 

 as is so often attempted. A bed filled with the bright 

 red Geranium Paul Crampel makes a striking display, 

 and its splendour is not enhanced by the presence of 

 others. The shrubby yellow Calceolaria remains bright 

 for weeks together, but it makes a very ordinary show. 

 The blue Lobelia is an excellent blue flower for the 

 margin of beds, or for planting as a ground covering 

 among taller plants. Canna, or Indian Shot, is a hand- 

 some plant, valuable both for its leaves and flowers, 

 and looks well upon ^ carpet of blue Lobelia, grey-leaved 

 Cerastium, Verbena, or other suitable low-growing plants. 

 One of the prettiest Geraniums is called Flower of 

 Spring ; it has green and white leaves and pink blossom 

 an attractive combination. A bed planted with this 

 variety may be edged with one of the tricolour -leaved 

 sorts, such, for example, as Mrs. Pollock, of which the 

 prevailing leaf tint is yellow. Tuberous Begonias make 

 a charming bed, and cover the ground so well that no 

 companion plants are needed. Fuchsias are excellent for 

 filling summer beds ; their growth is graceful, and the 

 display is attractive without being garish. One of the 



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