228 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
trimming. Circles or masses composed of flowering plants 
usually cannot be cut back at the top, so that the habit of the 
plants must be known before planting; and the plants must be 
placed in parts of the bed where trimming will not be necessary. 
They may be clipped at the sides, however, in case the branches 
or leaves of one mass or line in the pattern grow beyond their 
proper bounds. 
The numbers of good annuals and perennials that may be 
used in flower-beds are now very large, and one may have a wide 
choice. Various lists from which one may choose are given 
at the end of this chapter; but special comment may be made 
on those most suitable for bedding, and in its modification in 
ribbon-work and sub-tropical massing. 
Bedding effects. 
Bedding is ordinarily a temporary species of planting; that 
is, the bed is filled anew each year. However, the term may 
be used to designate a permanent plantation in which the 
plants are heavily massed so as to give one continuous or em- 
phatic display of form or color. Some of the best permanent 
bedding masses are made of the various hardy ornamental 
grasses, as eulalias, arundo, and the like. The color effects in 
bedding may be secured with flowers or with foliage. 
Summer bedding is often made by perennial plants that are 
carried over from the preceding year, or better, that are propa- 
gated for that particular purpose in February and March. 
Such plants as geranium, coleus, alyssum, scarlet salvia, agera- 
tum, and heliotrope may be used for these beds. It is a com- 
mon practice to use geranium plants which are in bloom during 
the winter for bedding out during the summer, but such plants 
are tall and ungainly in form and have expended the greater 
part of their energies. It is better to propagate new plants by 
taking cuttings or slips late in the winter and setting out young 
fresh vigorous subjects. (Page 30.) 
