532 



THIS YEARS' FLORAL FASHIONS. 



the water's edge. Such a clump might include one or two 

 linden trees, a black or mahogany birch {Betida Icnia), 

 any of the alders offered in the nursery catalogues, and 

 the black and other elders which, when in bloom, are 

 particularly attractive as they hang over the water's edge. 

 This would be a very suitable place for one or more 

 laurel-leaved willows — a species of great value for water 

 edges, on account of its rapid growth and large shining 

 leaves, which strikingly reflect the light and sunshine. 



Proceeding from the boat-house toward the front high- 

 way, we find that near the former would be a good place 

 for several cut-leaved European white weeping birches, a 

 silver-leaved maple, and some shrubs of the red-twigged 

 dogwood, which here near the house would show pleas- 

 ingly in the winter in contrast with the snow and the 

 white bark of the birches. On the shore directly out 

 from the porte-cochere a scattering group of American 

 hemlocks, four trees, might be placed, as indicated in 

 fig. 2. For the two trees ne^r the highway at the 

 water's edge, what could be more suitable than Amer- 

 ican white elms? Two more elms planted near where 

 the drive enters the street, a European white linden 

 or horse-chestnut near the porte-cochere, a Weir's cut- 

 leaved maple back of this, with a mass of flcjwering 

 shrubs, including lilacs, weigelias, etc, will finish this 

 l.iwn section. 



The trees in front and at the side of the highways 

 might comprise red and white oaks, red maples, horse- 

 ohestnuts, sweet chestnuts and European elms. At the 

 rear of the highway, to aid in shutting off the obnoxious 

 factory-view in that direction, Carolina poplars, silver 

 maples or American elms should be planted. 



At the lower right-hand corner it would be well to 

 shorten the extended area of lawn by planting a heavy, 

 irregular clump of flowering shrubs, with hardy flowering 

 plants at the margin on the lawn side of the same. Sim- 

 ilar masses of shrubbery and plants would be in order at 

 the rear end of this area, as shown, shutting off the vege- 

 table-garden in a measure. For the center of these 

 clumps such tall shrubs as aralia, golden-leaved poplar, 

 ailantus and paulownia { with severe annual cutting 

 back), red-bud or Judas-tree, sumach, lilac, althaea, vi- 

 burnum, mock-orange, thorn, flowering plum, Japan 

 blood-leaved plum {/'rim us I'lssard/i) might be used. 

 Smaller shrubs suitable for planting outside of these are 

 plumed hydrangea, IVeigeiia rosea and its varieties, 

 barberries, dwarf spirasas, mahonias, daphnes, deutzias, 

 dwarf mock-oranges, roses, flowering almonds, kerrias, 

 shrubby cinquefoils, variegated dogwoods, dwarf buck- 

 eyes, etc. Just outside, and in a measure alternating 

 with the lower shrubs, would be a good place to plant 

 any of the hardy perennials offered in the nurserymen's 

 catalogues. 



Somewhat within this ample lawn section might be 

 displayed the rarer ornamental trees as single specimens 

 — Colorado bluespruce, Nordman's sih-er fir, the conical 

 spruce, Camperdown weeping elm, kilmarnock weeping 

 willow, magnolia, maiden-hair iree {Sa//sbiir/a adianli- 

 folia), River's blood-leaved beech, etc. Near the ve- 

 randa some beds filled with bright summer flowers or 

 plants would be effective. At the veranda pillars plant 

 hardy climbing vines, being sure to include the improved 

 clematises, Dutchman's-pipe, Akebia quinata and Hall's 

 Japan honeysuckle. 



THIS YEARS' FLORAL FASHIONS. 



BEDDING AND BASKET- PLANTS 



'HIS may be called a scarlet geranium 

 year, since that color leads for this fa- 

 vorite plant. Double flowers are more 

 popular than single ones. There is no 

 doubt that in the long run scarlet is al- 

 ways the most desirable color, as it suf- 

 fers less, from rain or drought than the 

 ighter colors. 



One of the handsomest trailing vines 

 we see in vases this season is the lophos- 

 permurn, which is now making a fine show with its large 

 tubular, rose-colored flowers. It is not a new vine, but 

 has been rather neglected. All sorts of vines have been 

 greatly in demand for bedding this season ; this is a class 

 of plants with which the trade is never overstocked. There 

 are few new additions to the ranks of bedding climbers ; 

 more often we see old and forgotten things revived. The 

 thunbergias are still very popular, and so is the old cobaea. 

 Nasturtiums keep their freshness best in localities where 

 the nights are cool ; when exposed to continuous heat 

 the foliage is liable to suffer. A little variegated tropaso- 

 lum, seen recently, is likely to be a good thing for bas- 

 kets and vases, but it is not yet out in the trade. 



This year the old lantana, which has been little used 

 for some time, has been very popular. Some of the 

 florists have handled it extensively, and find it very ac- 

 ceptable to their customers Its one defect is the strong 

 and peculiar odor ; but, on the other hand, it is clean in 

 habit, robust in constitution, and almost perpetually in 

 flower. It keeps on blooming all summer without losing 

 vigor, and is excellent for city use. It is much esteemed 

 in cities for vases or boxes, and is likely to be still more 

 largely used another season. 



Another reinstatement has taken place in the use of 

 the summer pinks, both single and double. They bloom 

 profusely, the colors being very rich, and seem likely to 

 continue flowering until frost. A good many of these 

 plants were sold in the early auction sales, and experi- 

 ence with them in bedding proves their desirability. 

 Some of the large single flowers are even more showy 

 than the double ones. The small double pinks are sug- 

 gestive of our old friend, the sweet-william. 



Some perennial poppies recently noted made a con- 

 spicuous bed ; the flowers were of the usual scarlet color, 

 but very Lirge. Many of the double poppies resemble 

 hollyhocks. Emily Louise Taplin. 



