194 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



for anything in the bedding plant line. However, that wasn't for 

 long and while we don't use Geraniums as much as we used to, 

 there are many more people who plant something than there were 

 thirty years or more ago. Where there was then one window box 

 there are now ten in the same block. The perennial border was 

 found to present anything but an attractive appearance at certain 

 times during Summer without the help of so-called annuals or bed- 

 ding plants set between the hardy stock. 



The formal carpet bedding disappeared, but the modern home 

 ground has a place set aside for a sort of formal garden with narrow 

 beds filled with flowers for cuttings. Here, in former years we used 

 for bedding Verbenas, HeUotrope, Lantana, Ageratum, Alyssum, 

 Candytuft, and Salvia. Even now once in awhile there is planted 

 a border of Geraniums perhaps for no other reason than that they 

 can be depended on to be in flower all through the Summer. 



Again we find places where the owner, having had his grounds 

 all made over a few years ago, is tired of so much green and no 

 flowers. He wants us to pick out a spot for a bright Canna bed or 

 one for Geraniums. He thinks he is entitled to a change. Conse- 

 quently bedding plants are being sold each year in greater numbers, 

 besides the thousands and tens of thousands of perennials. 



The Best Bedding Plants 



For those wanting to start in growing bedding stock. Geraniums 

 in pink and red, with a small proportion of whites, head the list of 

 desirable plants to grow on. Welf grown Geraniums in full bloom 

 always sell and whUe we consider them the best bedders, I beUeve 

 as many as are planted in beds — if not more — are used today for 

 the fdhng of window and porch boxes, vases and hanging baskets. 



Cannas, while not used as extensively as they should be, are 

 becoming a close second to Geraniums and every retail grower 

 should push them as bedders. Petunias, both double and single 

 sorts, are more grown than ever and with their endless varieties 

 and their usefulness not only as bedders, but also for the filling of 

 boxes, and in the case of the smaller flowering sorts, along the edge of 

 the perennial border, they always make good. Coleus with their 

 highly colored leaves iare still used extensively as a border for beds 

 and even as small plants are showy. Every florist usually carries 

 a stock of them during Spring and finds purchasers for all he grows 

 before the bedding season ends. 



As for Begonias for bedding, it is always well to have a stock of 

 both the small ever-blooming sorts and the tuberous-rooted, large- 

 flowering ones. Of Heliotrope, of which we have today some 

 excellent sorts, you wiU want a limited number. Their , beautiful 



