ON BEDDING PLANTS. 1 95 



division. S. hypnoides, hibernica, muscoides, pulchella, &c, form 

 compact mossy-green tufts. S. pectinata has dense silvery- 

 margined foliage in rosettes. »S. Aizoo?i, or intacta, has rosettes 

 of silvery leaves, and forms a good edging plant. The mossy 

 kinds are useful for filling in panels. 



Sedum.— Of the kinds suitable for carpet bedding, S. glaucum 

 and S. lydium are the most popular. The former is a minute 

 species, growing about 2in. high, and densely covered with small 

 grey leaves. S. lydium is similar in habit and stature to S. glau- 

 cum, but has greenish leaves tipped with red. They are easily 

 increased by division of the old plants in spring. Used for panels. 



Sempervivum. — These are succulents forming rosettes of 

 thick, fleshy leaves, growing not more than "2 in. from the 

 ground. The flower-spikes are from 8in. to i2in. high. They 

 delight in a light sandy soil. Propagation is effected by means 

 of offsets, which in many cases are freely produced. S. mon- 

 tanum is a pretty species for edgings to small beds, &c, as it 

 grows very close and thick. The leaves are tipped with red- 

 brown. S. tabultzforme is an excellent dot plant for carpet 

 bedding ; it forms broad rosettes of leaves, which grow close to 

 the soil. S. triste is quite distinct, its beautiful rosettes of 

 leaves being of a deep reddish-brown colour, and thus forming a 

 striking contrast to glaucous-leaved plants. All the Semper- 

 vivums are very useful for forming divisional lines, &c. 



Spergula pilifera aurea is synonymous with the plant 

 described under Sagina pilifera aurea. 



Stellaria graminea aurea (Golden Chickweed) is a 

 trailing plant with golden foliage, which does not grow above 

 2in. or 3m. in height. It is easy of cultivation, and forms a 

 bright carpeting plant for dividing lines or for filling in panels. 

 Easily increased by either seeds, cuttings, or division. 



The designs furnished will give the gardener a. fair idea of how 

 the above-mentioned plants may be utilised in the present system 

 of carpet bedding. As individual tastes differ, however, so the 

 arrangements of the dwarf plants may be altered accordingly, 

 and the tall plants may or may not be used as fancy 

 dictates. If the beds are small, it will not be advisable to include 

 too many dot plants, but hard-and-fast rules cannot be laid down, 

 and in such cases the planter must use his own judgment. In 

 some beds it is well to have the central portion raised from 6in. 

 to 12m. above the outside portion, the edge being planted with 

 Echeverias or Sempervivum tabultzforme. This may easily be done 

 in the beds H and I (Figs. 102 and 103), and will greatly ' 

 enhance their beauty. 



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