THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 227 
In distinction from the mixed or non-homogeneous flower- 
bed are the various forms of ‘bedding,’ in which plants are 
massed for the purpose of making a connected and homogeneous 
bold display of form or color. The bedding may be for the 
purpose of producing a strong effect of white, of blue, or of 
red; or of ribbon-like lines and edgings; or of luxurious 
and tropical expression; or to display boldly the features 
of a particular plant, as the tulip, the hyacinth, the chrysan- 
themum. 
In ribbon-bedding, flowering or foliage plants are arranged 
in ribbon-like lines of harmoniously contrasting colors, com- 
monly accompanying walks or drives, but also suitable for 
marking limits, or for the side borders. In such beds, as well 
as the others, the tallest plants will be placed at the back, if 
the bed is to be seen from one side only, and the lowest at the 
front. If it is to be seen from both sides, then the tallest will 
stand in the center. 
A modification of the ribbon-line, bringing the contrasting 
colors together into masses forming circles or other patterns, is 
known as ‘‘massing,” or ‘‘massing in color,” and sometimes is 
spoken of as “‘carpet-bedding.”’ 
Carpet-bedding, however, belongs more properly to a style 
of bedding in which plants of dense, low, spreading habit — 
chiefly foliage plants, with leaves of different forms and colors 
— are planted in patterns not unlike carpets or rugs. It is 
often necessary to keep the plants sheared into limits. Carpet- 
bedding is such a specialized form of plant-growing that we 
shall treat of it separately (page 234). 
Beds containing the large foliage plants, for producing tropi- 
cal effects, are composed, in the main, of subjects that are 
allowed to develop naturally. In the lower and more orderly 
massing, the plants are arranged not only in circles and patterns 
according to habit and height, but the selection is such that 
some or all may be kept within proper limits by pinching or 
