THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 227 



In distinction from the mixed or non-homogeneous flower- 

 bed are the various forms of bedding/' in which plants are 

 massed for the purpose of making a connected and homogeneous 

 bold display of form or color. The bedding may be for the 

 purpose of producing a strong effect of white, of blue, or of 

 red; or of ribbon-hke lines and edgings; or of luxurious 

 and tropical expression; or to display boldly the features 

 of a particular plant, as the tuhp, the hyacinth, the chrysan- 

 themum. 



In ribbon-bedding, flowering or foliage plants are arranged 

 in ribbon-like lines of harmoniously contrasting colors, com- 

 monly accompanying walks or drives, but also suitable for 

 marking limits, or for the side borders. In such beds, as well 

 as the others, the tallest plants will be placed at the back, if 

 the bed is to be seen from one side only, and the lowest at the 

 front. If it is to be seen from both sides, then the tallest will 

 stand in the center. 



A modification of the ribbon-hne, bringing the contrasting 

 colors together into masses forming circles or other patterns, is 

 known as massing," or '^massing in color," and sometimes is 

 spoken of as carpet-bedding." 



Carpet-bedding, however, belongs more properly to a style 

 of bedding in which plants of dense, low, spreading habit — 

 chiefly fohage plants, with leaves of different forms and colors 

 — are planted in patterns not unlike carpets or rugs. It is 

 often necessary to keep the plants sheared into limits. Carpet- 

 bedding is such a speciaHzed form of plant-growing that we 

 shall treat of it separately (page 234). 



Beds containing the large fohage plants, for producing tropi- 

 cal effects, are composed, in the main, of subjects that are 

 allowed to develop naturally. In the lower and more orderly 

 massing, the plants are arranged not only in circles and patterns 

 according to habit and height, but the selection is such that 

 some or all may be kept within proper limits by pinching or 



