CONIFERS AND EVERGREENS FOR FLOWER BEDS. 



235 



WINTER BEDDING. 



Bare beds in prominent positions during the dullest months of the year are, to say 

 the least, anything but pleasing. If they are filled in the autumn with hardy spring 

 flowering plants, amongst which bulbs may be inserted, the bareness is to a 

 certain extent obviated, but it is not till March and April that the beds present an 

 attractive appearance. When the " family goes up to town for the season" they 

 frequently miss the best effects of the spring displays, and, all things considered, it 

 is very desirable that an attempt bo made to beautify the beds during the winter. 

 For this purpose there are numerous dwarf- growing shrubs and conifers available, 

 many of which are sufficiently ornamental to remain in the beds in association with 

 summer flowering and other plants. Leading nurserymen prepare them specially for 

 the purpose, and they may either be arranged in various designs, or dotted thinly 

 among spring flowering plants, relieving their primness and giving the beds a better- 

 filled appearance. These evergreen shrubs and conifers may, if desired, be kept in 

 pots, plunged over the rims ; but this is not necessary, as they will be found to 

 transplant readily, either in the spring when the beds are broken up, or in the 

 autumn, when moved from the reserve garden to the flower beds once more. When 

 thus often lifted there is little likelihood of their quickly becoming too large for the 

 beds, and they are also less likely to suffer by want of moisture at the roots than would 

 be the case if their roots were confined, to pots. 



The best effects are produced by a large number of a few kinds or varieties rather 

 than by the employment of fewer plants in greater variety, and for this reason a long 

 list will not be given. Among conifers of glaucous or bluish tint, Abies Engelmanni 

 glauca and Picea pinsapo glauca are most effective. Yellow tints are provided by 

 Biota orientalis aurea, B. 0. elegantissima, Thuia occidentals Vervfeniana, Golden 

 Junipers, notably Juniperus chinensis aurea, Golden Yews (Taxus baccata aurea, and 

 T. b. elegantissima) ; while the golden and variegated forms of Irish Yews (Taxus fasti- 

 giata aurea and T. f. variegata respectively) are strongly recommended for interspersing 

 among other plants to relieve their flatness. Cupressus Lawsoniana lutea is very 

 bright ; C. L. erccta viridis is distinct and pleasing by its close columns of rich green ; 

 while Cryptomcria elcgans and the dwarf form, C. e. nana, change to a bronzy hue 

 every winter, and should not be omitted. 



Most of the rctinosporas are suitable for massing in beds, some of them being hand- 



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