DECORAXn^E USE OF FLOWERS. 



281 



edging of gi-oups Panicuni variegatum {Oplismenus 

 Burmanni variegatus), Fitioitia argyrotieuia , the Tra- 

 descantias, and the Sonerilas are all good in associa- 

 tion with the Club Mosses or Selaginellas. Consider- 

 able aid is also obtained from Palms of more tender 

 constitution. The following varieties will all be of 

 the greatest service either as individual specimens, or 

 for using collectively in groups. Of the so-called 

 Arecas, A. aurea* {Dictyosperma album), A. lutescens* 

 {Ch rysalidocaipus 

 lutescens), and A. 

 Versehaffeltii (Hyo- 

 phorbe Versehaf- 

 feltii) are all dis- 

 tinct and handsome 

 species. Calamus 

 ciliaris* is also a 

 beautiful Palm. 

 Among the Geono- 

 mas there are 6. 

 pitmila,* G. graei- 

 lis,*G.Schottiana,* 

 and G. intermedia,* 

 all of elegant 

 growth. Deemono- 

 ropsjissus,* Euterpe 

 edulls,* and Thri- 

 iiox elegans* are 

 each of them ex<Sel- 

 lent decorative 

 plants. Cocos Wed- 

 delliana,* is a well- 

 known Palm that 

 scarcely needs any 

 r e c o m m endation, 

 being a general 

 favourite. The fol- 

 lowing kinds are all 

 of tall, slender, and 

 plume-like habit, 

 which causes them 

 to be of great ser- 

 vice in groups or in 



any position where their beautiful heads of feathery 

 foliage can be efEectively displayed, viz., Cocos plu- 

 nwsa, C. Sotnamoffiana, CKamoedorea elegantissima,* C. 

 graminifolia,* C. glaucifolia, and Oreodoxa regia. All 

 of these thrive in the most limited size of pot, pro- 

 vided they are well supplied with water. Of hardy 

 plants, or nearly so, there are the fine laciniate or cut- 

 leaved varieties of Japanese Maples (mostly forms of 

 Acer pahnatum), some with deep green, others with 

 bronzy-red foliage. These have a beautiful effect 

 under artificial light, with a few flowering plants 

 interspersed amongst them. The variegated Acer 

 Jfegundo (more correctly Negundo aceroides variegatum) 



Fig. S. — A Well-propobtioned Palu for a Vase. 



is also a useful plant when grown in pots for in-door 

 decoration. The hardy Bamboos are likewise excel- 

 lent subjects for these uses, Bambusa Metake [Arun- 

 dinaria japonica) and Arundinaria falcata being the 

 best. Eulalia japonica * and Gymmthrix latlfolia are 

 two valuable Grasses ; the variegated variety of the 

 former, when grown under glass, being a choice plant 

 for groups. 



The choice of flowering plants is so large that but a 

 cursory glance can 

 be given. Avoid 

 the use of trained 

 plants of formal 

 and stiff outline in 

 every case where 

 beauty of arrange- 

 ment is the prim- 

 ary consideration. 

 Rather choose such 

 as are of slender 

 growth, as Richar- 

 dia (ethiopica, Lili- 

 ums and Gladiolus 

 of various sorts, 

 Eucharis amazon- 

 ica, with Pancra- 

 tium fragrans {Sy- 

 menocallis orata), 

 and Amaryllis of 

 many kinds, for the 

 central portions of 

 groups, whilst a- 

 rouud the margins 

 sinallpots of Glox- 

 inias and other 

 plants, each in their 

 season, will be very 

 effective, with the 

 addition of some 

 4 Maiden-hair Fern. 

 In all RTOups let 

 every flowering 

 plant be placed so 

 that its beauty is seen distinctively. The mistaken 

 notion of overcrowding pot plants is as much to be 

 condemned as is a crowded arrangement of cut flowei-s. 

 Massing of several plants of any given variety must 

 be done with caution. Pots of Spirtca Japonica 

 {Astilie japonica) and Lilies of the Valley make pretty 

 groundworks amongst the taller-growing plants. 

 Rhodanthes, in variety with the AquUegias, can be 

 used in a similar way. Of plants with sweet perfume, 

 besides those named, among the cut flowers, there are 

 the scented-leaved Pelargoniums, and Aloysia eitri- 

 odora {Lippia citriodora), called also Sweet-scented 

 Verbena, or Lemon Plant. Mention must also be 



