A BASKET FLOWER BED 73 



lose to the top of the edging, just allowing sufficient depth to retain 

 the water which the plants will require. There are numerous plants 

 that can be used for the edge and handle, but to my mind nothing 

 can excel what is used in the bed here illustrated, viz. the 

 English Ivy. Plant thickly round the edge, using the longest and 

 strongest plants for the handle. With fair treatment it grows and 

 covers quickly ; it is also neat and effective. Yellow and variegated 

 Ivies are also very pleasing. Canary Creepers over the handle, and 

 the edging covered with Ground Ivy (Nepeta glechoma variegata) 

 may also be used with success. 



The bed may be filled for the summer, or in autumn for spring 

 flowering, with suitable plants according to the desire or taste of the 

 owner. The subject of our sketch, which has been quite a success 

 and much admired, is composed of the following plants : A ground- 

 work of blue Forget-me-nots and double white Arabis what a 

 charming and useful plant the latter is for window boxes, rockeries, 

 etc. And here Jet me say, I find cuttings inserted in the autumn 

 where it is intended for them to bloom strike freely, stand the 

 winter, and give better results than larger plants already rooted. 

 Single Tulips, and red and white Due Van Thol, and Cottage Maid 

 (pink) were freely planted amongst the groundwork. No matter 

 what plants are used for the bed, it is essential that they are kept 

 neat and trim, so that the bed may always have a bright and 

 cheerful appearance. 



Flower Beds of One Colour 



A bed may be all one colour yet contain several kinds of flowers. 

 So long as the tints are well matched the practice is an admirable 

 one, because a variety of height and habit of growth adds to the 

 grace of an arrangement. No trouble should be deemed excessive in 

 well blending the bedding plants. 



Salmon pink flowers to combine are the beautiful Ivy-leaved 

 Geranium It. M. The Queen, with the single Geranium Ian Maclaren 

 and Phlox Drummondi New Dwarf Surprise ; the last has a white 

 centre, is a delightful little compact plant, and the bed is certain to 

 be a triumph. There is a salmon and white Comet Aster, also a 

 salmon Queen Victoria Aster, 15 inches high, that can be recom- 

 mended, also the Rose Dore Snapdragon ; Clarkia elegans Salmon 

 Queen is of noted charm, so too is Diantlms Heddewigii Salmon 

 Queen. Linaria triornithophora carnea is known to few gardens, 



