DECOEATIYE USE OF FLOWERS. 



281 



edging of groups Panicum variegatiim (Oplismenus 

 Burmanni variegatus), Fittonia argyroneura, the Tra- 

 descantias, and the Sonerilas are all good in associa- 

 tion with the Club Mosses or Selaginellas. Consider- 

 able aid is also obtained from Palms of more tender 

 constitution. The following varieties will all be of 

 the greatest service either as individual specimens, or 

 for using collectively in groups. Of the so-called 

 Arecas, A. auj-ea* {Dicti/osj^enna album) ^ A. lutescens* 

 [Chrysa lidocarpus 

 lutescens), and A. 

 Verschaffeltii [Eyo- 

 phorbe Verschaf- 

 Jeltii) are all dis- 

 tinct and handsome 

 species. Calamus 

 ciliaris* is also a 

 beautiful Palm. 

 Among the Geono- 

 mas there are G. 

 pumila,* G. graci- 

 lis *G. Schottiana* 

 and G. intermedia* 

 all of elegant 

 growth. Doemono- 

 rops fissas* Euterpe 

 edulis* aud Thri- 



nax elegans^ are 

 each of them excel- 

 lent decorative 

 plants. Cocos Wed- 

 delliana* is a well- 

 known Palm that 

 scarcely needs any 

 r e c o m m endation, 

 being a general 

 favourite. The fol- 

 lowing kinds are ail 

 of tall, slender, and 

 plume-like habit, 

 which, causes them 

 to be of great ser- 

 vice in groups or in 



any position where their beautiful heads of feathery 

 foliage can be effectively displayed, viz., Cocos plu- 

 mosa, C. Romanzoffiana, Chamoedorea elegantissima,* C. 

 graminifolia* C. glaucifolia, and Oreodoxa regia. All 

 of these thrive in the most limited size of pot, pro- 

 vided they are well supplied with water. Of hardy 

 plants, or nearly so, there are the fine laciniate or cut- 

 leaved varieties of Japanese Maples (mostly forms of 

 Acer palmatmn), some with deep green, others with 

 bronzy-red foliage. These have a beautiful efiFect 

 under artificial light, with a few flowering plants 

 interspersed amongst them. The variegated Acer 

 Negundo (more correctly Negundo aceroides variegatum) 



is also a useful plant when grown in pots for in-door 

 decoration. The hardy Bamboos are likewise excel- 

 lent subjects for these uses, Bamhusa Metake {Arun- 

 dinaria japonica) and Arundinaria falcata being the 

 best, Eulalia japonica* and Gymnothrix latifoliaaxe 

 two valuable Grasses ; the variegated variety of the 

 former, when grown under glass, being a choice plant 

 for groups. 



The choice of flowering plants is so large that but a 

 cursory glance can 

 be given. Avoid 

 the use of trained 

 plants of formal 

 and stifle outline in 

 every case where 

 beauty of arrange- 

 ment is the prim- 

 ary consideration. 

 Kather choose such 

 as are of slender 

 growth, as Richar- 

 dia cethiopica, Lili- 

 ums and Gladiolus 

 of various sorts, 

 Eucharis amazon- 

 ica, with Fancra- 

 tiumfragrans {Hy- 

 menocallis ovata), 

 and Amaryllis of 

 many kinds, for the 

 central portions of 

 groups, whilst a- 

 round the margins 

 small pots of Glox- 

 inias and other 

 plants, each in their 

 season, will be very 

 efl'ective, wdth the 

 addition of some 

 Maiden-hair Fern. 

 In all groups let 

 every flowering 

 plant be placed so 

 that its beauty is seen distinctively. The mistaken 

 notion of overcrowding pot plants is as much to be 

 condemned as is a crowded arrangement of cut flowers. 

 Massing of several plants of any given variety must 

 be done with caution. Pots of Spircea japonica 

 [Astilbe japonica) and Lilies of the Valley make pretty 

 groundworks amongst the taller-growing plants. 

 Rhodanthes, in variety with the Aquilegias, can be 

 used in a similar way. Of plants with sweet perfume, 

 besides those named, among the cut flowers, there are 

 the scented-leaved Pelargoniums, and Aloysia citri- 

 odora {Lippia citriodora), called also Sweet-scented 

 Verbena, or Lemon Plant. Mention must also be 



A Well-proportioned Palm for a Vase. 



