SUCCULENT PLANTS FOR BEDS. 



seedling in a garden near Norwich in 1802, and 

 was preserved by the gardener, Mr. Seaward. 



Santolina incana. — Neat, silvery, nearly hardy ; 

 cuttings in spring. 



Stellaria gramminea atjrea (Golden Chickweed). — 

 This hardy moss-like golden-leaved plant is some- 

 times used for covering spaces between panels in 

 carpet beds. Division in the spring. Must be 

 kept shorn of flower heads. 



SUCCULENTS. 

 Agave. — A. americana has broad green or variegated 

 recurving spiny leaves ; this and the handsome 

 variegated form are effective "dot" plants. Of 

 slow growth, and increased by taking off the rooted 

 suckers constantly forming. Loam, leaf soil, 

 mortar rubbish and sand. Avoid over-potting. 

 Winter the plants in a greenhouse or conservatory , 

 watering sparingly. Magnificent specimens may 

 be seen every summer in Victoria Park, London. 



Fig. 111. Raising Echeveeias. 



a, leaves inserted ; b, rooted leaf, with jtlantlet ; 

 c, established plant. 



Cacalia. — C. atriplicifolia and C. articulata (Candle 

 Plant) are suitable for grouping in carpet beds, 

 a groundwork of reddish or green carpeting plants 

 showing them to the best advantage. Increased by 

 division in spring or autumn. Keep them in small 

 pots on greenhouse shelves. Avoid over- watering. 



Echeverias. — A few species of this family are par- 

 ticularly well adapted for carpet bedding. E. 

 secunda glauca and improved varieties are largely 

 used for closely covering the margins of raised 

 beds, facing them outwards, and also for filling 

 in between the figures or panels. E. Peacocki 

 is distinct by its bluish leaves; E. metallica 

 and others of strong growth are suitable for dis- 

 tributing thinly among carpeting plants that afford 

 a good contrast in colour. The two first-named 

 are nearly hardy, increasing freely by rooted off- 

 sets, and may be wintered closely together in beds 



or boxes, in pits or frames, where the plants can 

 be protected from the wet and severe frost. 

 Larger species may be raised from seed sown on 

 the surface of pans of fine sandy soil in March, or 

 by cuttings, or leaves taken off and treated as 

 cuttings in the summer in a greenhouse or frame 

 (see Eig. 111). The leaves must not be inserted 

 deeply, and all root the most surely in a dry 

 heat. Place the seedlings and cuttings in small 

 pots at first, and gradually shift into larger. 

 Winter on warm greenhouse shelves, and avoid 

 over-watering. 



ILvworthia cymbiformis. — Of compact growth and 

 good for lines. Increase by division, and winter 

 in small pots on greenhouse shelves. 



Kleinia repens. — Tin's succulent is principally used 

 in caipet beds. Erect growth, height 3 to 4 inches, 

 glaucous leaves. Effective either in lines or 

 masses. Increased by division in spring or by 

 cuttings in the autumn. Winter in small pots in a 

 warm dry pit or greenhouse, and give little water. 



Mesembryan'I'IIEMUM. — A considerable number of 

 species are suitable for carpet beds, but M. cordi- 

 folium variegatum is the most popular. Loam, 

 leaf soil, and line lime or brick rubbish. Division 

 in spring or cuttings in the autumn in dry heat. 

 Pot singly, and winter on shelves in a warm 

 greenhouse. Habit procumbent, and colour soft 

 yellow, pleasing. 



Opuntia Rafinescrtiana. — A hardy or cactaceous 

 plant, that may be employed with good effect in 

 carpet beds. Increased by cuttings of branches 

 under glass, but will root in the open ground 

 during the summer. Usually wintered in a dry, 

 cool position under glass. 



Pachyphyttjm bracteosujt. — Somewhat largely used 

 in filling carpet beds. Raised from seeds or leaf 

 cuttings similarly to echeverias. 



Rochea falcata. — Strong young plants of this 

 glaucous-leaved succulent can be used in flower 

 beds during the summer, and flowered the fol- 

 lowing year under glass. Sandy loam, leaf soil, 

 and brick rubbish. Cuttings of side shoots 

 obtained from headed-down old plants. Dry by 

 exposure on warm shelves and strike in heat, 

 giving only enough water to keep them from 

 shrivelling. Plants may also be had by sowing 

 seed in pans and heat in March. 



Sedum (Stonecrop). — This hardy family conijnises 

 three or more species of good service in carpet 

 beds, forming a dense carpet of green or grey, as 

 the case may be. S. lydium, green, S. glaucum, 

 grey, and S. acre elegans, pale silvery grey, are 



