Gardening for Amateurs 



707 



Plioto : If, y. V 



A remarkable grouping of Hyacinths. 



Spring Flower Gardening 



THE value of various associations 

 of spring flowers cannot be over- 

 estimated, for they brighten the 

 garden for a period of at least two 

 months before summer bedding plants can 

 be used. Most of the plants grown for this 

 purpose are common and easily raised, 

 particulars of propagation and general cul- 

 tivation being given on a later page. They 

 are chiefly grown on a reserve border during 

 summer and are planted out where they are 

 to bloom when summer bedding plants are 

 taken up in autumn. 



Spring flowers may be used in two ways ; 

 such as Aubrietia, Viola, Arabis, Wallflower, 

 Polyanthus, etc., are planted alone, in 

 association with each other, or with the later 

 flowering Tulips. It is not wise to group 

 early-flowering bulbs with flowers which are 

 at their best during late April and early May, 

 for the flowers of the bulbs fade before those 

 of the other plants open and their drooping 



leaves spoil the display. Neither is it wise 

 to plant Tulips on the same ground for a 

 number of years in succession, or disease is 

 almost certain to appear. 



Pansies are excellent for spring bedding. 

 At one time named varieties, kept true by 

 propagation from cuttings, were used for the 

 purpose. It is now possible, however, to 

 procure seeds of fairly well fixed strains, the 

 plants from which produce flowers of uniform 

 colour, but better results are usually obtained 

 from a good strain of mixed shades. The 

 flowers are large, uniform in shape, and of 

 charming colour. Pansies look best when 

 used alone, or with white Tulips. The flowers 

 should be taken off as they fade. 



Tufted Pansies or Violas are extremely 

 useful for spring bedding, for they blossom 

 continuously for weeks together. The various 

 colours may be used alone or combinations of 

 yellow and purple, white and pale blue, rose 

 and pale mauve, etc., may be made. They 



