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THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



plant readily. Use a mixture of loam, leaf soil, 

 and sand. Keep them in heat till May and 

 harden carefully, particularly avoiding exposing 

 them to cold saturating rains. Bed out during 

 the first fortnight in June, and where used for 

 edging purposes, plant in double lines. 



Antennaria tomentosa (synonym A. Candida). — The 

 silvery leaves and close -growing habit of this 

 plant render it suitable for either clothing the 

 raised margins of beds or for carpeting. It is per- 

 fectly hardy, and increased by division in spring. 



Cerastium. — C. Biebersteini and 0. tomentosum, 

 besides being employed for edging beds during 

 the summer, are also suitable for carpeting large 

 beds, but ought to be divided and replanted once 

 a year early in the spring. 



Fig. 110. Diagram of Caepet Bed. 



Planting. — 1, Sedum acre elegans (p. 223) ; 2, Leu- 

 cophyton (opposite) ; 3, Sedum glaucum, dotted with 

 Pachyphytum (next page), curved round the rays of 

 the star (4) and centre of Alternanthera ; 5, Sedum 

 lydium, dotted with Cacalias (next page). 



Coleus Verschaffelti.— This has long been popular 

 and is extensively grown. It is of compact 

 growth with dark crimson leaves. It may be 

 used either as an edging or for a groundwork, in 

 the larger carpet as well as sub-tropical beds, for 

 taller, erect-growing variegated plants. Stock 

 plants established in pots during the summer may 

 be wintered on shelves in a temperature of 55° to 

 60°, care being taken not to over water them. 

 Take off the tops early in the spring, rooting 

 these and every side shoot as fast as produced in a 

 brisk heat. Place the young plants singly in 

 small pots, harden them carefully, and plant out 

 during the second week in June rather closely in 

 light, free-working soil. 



Herniaria glabra.— As before hinted, this close- 



growing, green-leaved plant is used for filling in 

 the spaces between the figures, and is also suit- 

 able for clothing the ground occupied by succu- 

 lents. Perf ectly hardy and increased by division, 

 replanting thickly every spring, pressing down 

 with the hand occasionally to keep the surface 

 regular. 



Iresine. — I. Herbsti, a native of South Brazil, was 

 one of the first of these tender, highly- coloured 

 bedding-plants to be extensively grown in gardens. 

 The variety brilliantissima is an improvement on 

 it. Both are too strong-growing for the majority 

 of carpet beds. I, Lindeni, narrower pointed 

 leaves, colour also deeper or blood-red ; but 

 I, Wallsi is thought the best for carpet-bedding. 

 Plants wintered as advised for coleus may be 

 propagated from in a similar manner in the 

 spring. 



Leucophyton Browni. — A hardy trailing New Hol- 

 land plant, with fine wire-like silvery leaves, 

 height 3 to 4 inches, and well adapted for dividing 

 lines. Propagated by division or by cuttings 

 under hand-lights in spring. Fire heat is fatal 

 to it. 



Lobelia. — Only the extra dwarf varieties raised from 

 cuttings or by division are suitable for carpet 

 beds, and, as a rule, may be advisedly dispensed 

 with, as they impart to such beds a rough appear- 

 ance before the season is over. For cultural 

 details, see page 209. 



Lysimachia. — L. nummularia aurea, a golden-leaved 

 form of the old Creeping Jenny, good alike for 

 summer and winter bedding. Suitable for edgings 

 to raised beds or for clothing the ground among 

 clear-stemmed plants. 



Nertera depressa (miscalled Fruiting Duckweed). — 

 This grows in dense tufts, 1 to 2 inches high, and 

 when clothed with coral red berries is most 

 attractive in carpet beds. Increased by division 

 in spring or by seed sown in gentle heat in March. 

 Insert the divisions or seedlings somewhat thickly 

 in small pots or boxes filled with a mixture of 

 loam, leaf soil and sand. Grow on a greenhouse 

 shelf, keeping the soil uniformly moist. Should 

 be well f urnished with berries when either plunged 

 or planted thinly among close-growing silvery 

 carpeting plants such as Sedum glaucum. 



Pyrethrum. — The golden-leaved forms if planted 

 thickly and kept closely pinched are suitable for 

 lines in carpet beds. Increased by division or 

 seeds under glass in gentle heat. Prick out three 

 inches apart where the plants are to grow. The 

 familiar golden feathers originated as a chance 



