640 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



Mentha Pulegium gibraltaricum. — A dwarf, dense- 

 growing plant with deep-green foliage, which retains its 

 freshness throughout the summer, and is well adapted 

 for flat geometrical bedding. Propagated by cuttings in 

 autumn or spring. 



Mesembryanthemum cordifolium. — One of the finest 

 of variegated plants for carpet-bedding. It forms a dense 

 carpet of fleshy, ovate, crystalline leaves, and grows 

 freely on most soils, always looking fresh and beautiful. 

 Propagated by cuttings in heat in spring. 



Nertera depressa (fig. 768). — An extremely pretty 

 plant when studded with its tiny orange-red berries. It 

 flourishes in the open air, only requiring slight protection 

 in winter during very severe weather. It is best grown 

 in pots on a shelf near the glass until its fruit is set, 



Fi^. 768 —Nertera <lei>ressa. 



when it may be plunged outside in the carpet -beds, where 

 its bright tufts of green leaves and red berries have a 

 pleasing effect. Propagated by division. 



Pachyphytum. — See Cotyledon Pachyphyta. 



Pyrethrum Partheniwm annum commonly known as 

 Golden Feather, is one of the best and hardiest of golden- 

 leaved plants used in carpet - bedding. A form called 

 laciniatum has elegantly cut foliage ; aureum crispum is 

 another form with golden curly leaves ; aureum selagi- 

 noides has leaves prettily serrated. P. Tchihatcheicii is 

 a deep -green plant, useful to form a carpet on dry poor 

 soil, its creeping stems being densely clothed with finely 

 cut or lobed foliage. Propagated by seeds sown in heat 

 early in spring. 



Rochea (Crassula) falcata is a strong-growing plant 

 with fleshy broad glaucous leaves which are very distinct 

 and effective, i?. perfoliata has longer, narrower, opposite, 

 perfoliate leaves of a paler glaucous tint. They are both 

 useful as isolated specimens on a carpet of Sedum or 

 other dwarf plant. 



Santolina incana. — A dwarf hardy plant with slender 

 twig-like growths and knotty leaves densely covered with 

 silvery tomentum; useful for lines or edges. Propagated 

 by seeds or division in spring. 



Saxifraga. — Many of the species of the mossy section 

 are suited for carpeting shady banks or borders in the 

 flower-garden. Of the compact rosulate white -edged 

 r-pecies, S. Aizoon, S. Hostii, S. pectinata, S. crustata, 

 and S. Stxtrmannii may be recommended; whilst of the 

 mossy group .9. densa, S. gemmifera, S. ccespitosa, S. Thu- 

 ringii, S. hypnoides and its varieties, are suitable. Propa- 

 gated by division. 



Sedum. — Dwarf -growing succulents, suitable for form- 



ing a carpet to more prominent designs or single plants 

 of striking habit. The following are of easy culture, and 

 perfectly hardy in all situations. S. Acre and its yellow 

 variety; S. cdbicans, deep-green, changing in hot weather 

 to bright coral-red; S. angelicum, glaucous-green, suffused 

 with yellow; it bears clipping well. S. carneum varie- 

 gatum has yellow margins to the leaves, and may be used 

 as an edging to such plants as Coleus; S. corsicum forms 

 a dense, cool, grayish turf of rosette-shaped growths an 

 inch in height; S. glaucum is similar to the last-named, 

 but more blue in colour; S. hispanicum, also a dense- 

 growing glaucous-green plant, is one of the prettiest for 

 carpets; S. farinosum is similar to the last, but of a 

 lighter shade of green. Propagated by division in 

 spring. 



Sempervivum (fig. 749).— Several 

 of the Houseleeks are perfectly 

 hardy, and are valuable for carpet- 

 bedding ; the large kinds, such as 

 S. arboreum and its variegated and 

 purple varieties, being used for 

 mixed beds on a carpet of Sedum 

 or Saxifrage. 



S. arachnoideum is small and 

 tufted, the rosettes covered with 

 cobweb-like silvery hairs. 



«S'. arenarium has small rosettes, 

 usually of a rich crimson colour, 

 and is lovely when planted in dense 

 patches. 



S. aureum (Both) forms a head of 

 elegantly cujjped or vasiform shape, 

 the light -green fleshy leaves being 

 erect. Propagated by leaf-cuttings, 

 offsets, or division. 

 S. calcareum is stemless, with deep-green rosettes of 

 leaves tipped with purplish-brown. 



S. canariense forms a large rosette of fresh green 

 spathulate leaves, 12 to 14 inches in diameter. It is use- 

 ful as a dot plant or for large edgings, &c. 



S. montanum is one of the neatest and prettiest, form- 

 ing globular rosettes an inch across, of a deep fresh green 

 colour. 



S. tabid if ormc has a short erect stem bearing a rosette 

 of closely imbricated leaves, forming a flat table-like head 

 a foot across. Excellent dot or central plant for panel 

 beds. 



S. triste has dull-red rosettes of leaves and is a vigorous 

 grower. 



Spergula pilifera (Sagina glabra). — A neat little moss- 

 like, hardy plant, quickly forming a deep-green smooth 

 carpet; the variety aurea is of a more tender character, 

 and should be wintered in a cold frame. Propagated by 

 division. 



Stellaria graminea aurea. — A dwarf golden form of 

 the grass-leaved Chickweed, which is quite hardy, and 

 bears clipping well. An excellent carpet - plant, very 

 effective as a margin. Propagated by division in spring. 

 Teucrium polium. — A dwarf, spreading, whitish plant, 

 3 inches high, very useful as a carpet or edging plant. It 

 requires a cold frame in winter. Propagated by cuttings. 

 Veronica Candida {incana). — A hardy silvery-leaved 

 plant of dwarf and dense growth, often used with good 

 effect in carpet - bedding, especially for a large panel. 

 Easily propagated by division in spring. 



[E. B.] 



