74 THE FLORIST AND 



"with few instances where it has been successfully carried out. A thorough 

 knowledge of the composition of colors, is an indispensable pre-requisite. 



The plants usually employed for producing masses of flowers are tender, 

 consequently they are useful for a few months only. It is desirable there- 

 fore to plant a few beds permanently with dwarf evergreens. The Ever- 

 green Berberries are well adapted, beautiful in foliage, flower, and fruit. 

 The Euonymus also forms a fine mass, can be pruned into any shape. Kal- 

 mias, and Rhododendrons, will also be available. Deciduous Azaleas 

 should be introduced. The varieties of Yucca, planted singly in the cen- 

 tre of the beds would have a fine effect, so exotic in appearance. Aucuba 

 japonica will produce a beautiful variegated bed ; in this way the flower 

 garden maybe rendered cheerful even in winter. 



As already observed, much depends upon the selection of suitable plants 

 for a dazzling display of flowers during summer. There is nothing supe- 

 rior to the numerous varieties of Verbena, they continue in splendor under 

 the brightest sun. Petunias also flourish well in dry weather. The soil 

 should be well deepened in the first place, and moderately enriched. This 

 will save much labor in watering; an expedient often resulting from ineffi- 

 cient preparation. The beds should not be elevated in the centre, as is 

 often done, a level surface is preferable, and retains moisture longer. In- 

 stead of filling each bed exclusively with one variety, a better effect is pro- 

 duced from a mixture ; for instance, Verbenas form an unequalled display 

 of flowers, but are deficient in height and ^foliage. Heliotropes make ro- 

 bust growths, attain the size of small shrubs, but are wanting in brilliant 

 colors ; the two planted together, the latter in the centre, form a desirable 

 combination. So also with Petunias and Salvias, Geraniums, Penstemons, 

 Portulacea, Nierembergia, &c. Examples might be multiplied, but it is not 

 necessary. Many modifications and alterations will occur in practice, al- 

 ways keeping in view the completion of a pre-conceived design, both in ar- 

 rangement and choice of plants. 



Baltimore, February, 1853. William Saunders. 



Botanical Variation in a Nectarine Elower. — Mr. Emtor : — I send 

 for your inspection, a flower of a Pitmaston nectarine, having two perfect 

 pistils. It is another instance of the uncertainty of botanical characters 

 when the plants from which they are derived are under cultivation. At 

 some future time I shall have some similar observations to record on the 

 strawberry — tending to show, that the distinctions so much relied on by 

 our friends in the great West, with regard to Staminates, Pistillates, and 

 Hermaphrodites, are perfectly arbitrary— that a staminate can be changed 

 to a pistillate, &c. entirely by cultivation. Thomas Meehan. 



