A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



25 



FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



They are in every respect, save one, like bedding plants, 

 they have no flowers of any value. Their sole beauty con- 

 sists in the coloring of the leaves. To compensate for their 

 few and feeble flowers, nature has endowed them with the 

 most remarkable and striking foliage. The best common 

 kinds are in the following list : — 



Acliyranthus, Cineraria raaratima, 



Amaranthus tricolor, Centaurea Candida, 



Coleus, Centaurea gmynocarpa, 



Japanese maize. 



THEIR VSE 



is easily seen, - — decoration, not cutting. It is true, the 

 leaves are sometimes used with great effect in flower worlj ; 

 but their principal value is for garden ornamentation. By 

 arranging them in groups or masses, most wonderful effects 

 are produced. One color may be contrasted with another, 

 or several colors combined in harmony. The so-called 

 ''ribbon gardening" is produced by their use. This is 

 merely planting in long rows, or bands, one or more colors 

 and kinds, thus producing the effect of an immense colored 

 ribbon trailing over the lawn, or through the borders of the 

 garden. The arranging of these plants in masses, or rib- 

 bons, is a matter of taste. To understand the effect, and to 

 try the experiments, in combining colors, set the plants when 

 young, and while in their pots, upon the garden walk or 



