128 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING-. 



to a trumpet vase of medium height. Only recently 

 we used them in this way for a dinner-tahle decora- 

 tion, some of the catkins measuring fully ten inches 

 in length. 



Of the inmates of our conservatories, green- 

 houses, and stoves, there are a great many plants of 

 shrubhy growth whose flowers are never seen to 

 better advantage than when in company with their 

 own foliage. The Cape Jasmines {Gardenias) may be 

 quoted as a notable case ; the bright glossy green of 

 their leaves will make the best background possible, 

 and if a few small shoots can be spared, so mach the 



"With the Epacris, the addition of a few sprays of 

 Ericas that nearest resemble the common Heather 

 will be all that is required, such for instance as E. 

 caffra, E. gracilis, and E. melanthera. 



Besides the few cases of exterior aid from other 

 than the foliage of each given genus of flowering 

 subjects that we have quoted as samples, there are 

 numerous most useful helps to be found both among 

 our hardy plants and tender exotics also. Of the 

 former, the species of Sedge Grass {Car ex) are at all 

 times of service in arrangements of anj^ Liliaceous 

 plants; another near ally is to be found in the 



better. It will at times entail a sacriflce of one or 

 more partially- developed flowers if much growth 

 is taken off with the fully-expanded bloom, but 

 smaller pieces of undergTowth can be got to go with 

 the blossoms in such cases. The large and various 

 family of Begonias afford us a class of plants 

 that can be made to do good service in decorations 

 without the aid of other foliage. The handsome 

 leaves of some of the varieties, as B. metaUica, B. 

 incarnata purpiirescens, and other tj-pes, chiefly such 

 as come under the classification of " Ornamental 

 Foliage varieties," are all most valuable when ap- 

 propriately used. The beautiful shades of colour 

 to be found in the Camellia need no other foliage 

 than their own deep green leaves to set them off 

 to advantage. The graceful foliage of many species 

 of the numerous family of Acacias forms an ample 

 accompaniment for their pretty spikes of bloom- 



Cypcrus alter n if uUus of our stoves, which is de- 

 serA-ing of more extended use than it often meets 

 with. Another handy grass is the Variegated 

 Arundo or Ribbon Grass of our gardens ; somewhat 

 resembling this, but more graceful in habit, is the 

 variegated Eulalia japonica oi our green-houses. 

 The Equisetums or Horse-tails are in character 

 when used with Water-lilies and other water or 

 bog plants. Some people use the leaves of the 

 Pampas Grass, after ha^dng split the same with a 

 common pin into narrow strips ; we do not, how- 

 ever, approve of such methods being resorted to. 

 The Meadow Rue {Thalictrum adiantifolium), also 

 called the Maidenhair Thalictrum, is a very useful 

 substitute for fern when the latter is scarce. The 

 smaller-leaved forms of Ivies make most beautiful 

 backgrounds, and in rustic arrangements can be 

 freely interspersed with the flowers. Of the Ivies 



