378 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 23, 1884. 
designs mostly very tasteful, varied, and distinct. The favourite plant for 
the groundwork is the dark'coloured Herniaria glabra, and the result proves 
the correctness of the choice, for the rich tints of Alternantheras and the 
fiofter Sedums and Mesembryanthemum show much better in contrast with 
this than with the lighter green of Mentha gibraltarica. One large oblong 
bed has been very striking. The foundation consisted of the Herniaria with 
■outer bands of Golden Feather, S mpervivum tabulreforme, Sedum glaucum, 
and Sedum elegans. There were large end panels of Alternanthera aurea, 
with smaller ones of A. versicolor and A. amoena, with a large central panel 
of A. magnifica surrounded by Antennaria dioica. Several small tufts of 
Spergula aurea dotted about on the dark ground also had good effect. Most 
of the other carpet beds were planted in a similar style, the shape and dis¬ 
position of the panels of Alternantheras being varied, but no very elaborate or 
intricate designs w’ere attempted, and the simpler ones are decidedly the most 
generally pleasing. 
The sub-tropical beds are distributed over the park in several suitable 
positions, some in the dell opposite the Park Lane beds, others near Rotten 
Row and towards the bend of the Serpentine. All the best and boldest 
Palms, Solanums, Cannas, &c., are employed, but there is nothing specially 
new to note. It need only be added that every portion of the park indicates 
by its excellent condition the most careful and considerate superintendence. 
BATTERSEA. PARK;. 
The “ People’s Park ” has been gay for several months, and though the 
autumn is fast depriving it of its charms, it even yet possesses some 
attractions. Preparations for the coming winter are, however, now actively 
proceeding, beds are being cleared, and the sub-tropical garden presents a 
striking contrast to its condition two months ago. From June to August 
Battersea Park is unquestionably one of the most beautiful in the metropolis ; 
there is more diversity of surface, more true landscape effect, than can be 
obtained’ in any of the others. In the neighbourhood of the lake in 
particula’r there is scenery on a small scale w'hich, as an artificial work, 
could not be easily excelled, and is very often not equalled in the arrange¬ 
ment of trees and shrubs for graceful effect. Then, too, there are fine 
expanses of turf for sports, abundant pleasant walks, and ample floral 
attractions, so that the popularity of the Park rests upon good foundation. 
As an agreeable and convenient resort for Londoners Battersea Park is an 
establishment of considerable importance in its effect on the welfare of the 
people, and it is most satisfactory to note that every care is exercised not 
only to preserve its beauty, but also to increase it in every possible way. 
The two departments of bedding-out, for which this Park is especially 
famed, are the sub-tropical and carpet bedding. The ordinary flowering 
plants, amongst which Pelargoniums are the most important, are also largely 
employed, but with the exception of one series of beds near the Albert Road, 
they are chiefly employed for ribbon borders and as margins to the shrub¬ 
beries. Sub-tropical plants succeed admirably there, owing to the sheltered 
position provided for them and a certain natural moisture, which is wanting 
in more exposed and elevated places. These advantages induce a free 
vigorous growth, which gives the plants a fresh healthy natural appearance, 
such as they must always have to look really well. That noble plant, 
"Wigandia caraccasana, for instance, has been and still is magnificent in 
several beds, 8 or 9 feet high, with leaves 2 feet long and as much in 
diameter, the effect of such specimens being unrivalled by any of the large- 
leaved Solanums, Cannas, or other plants of a similar character. Eucalyptus 
globulus has been made a feature this season, and this antipodean tree is 
fast advancing in popularity for the sub-tropical garden, though as a 
permanent tree it appears unlikely to be of much service without protection. 
Borne really extensive beds are filled with small trees 10 or 12 feet high, their 
silvery leaves and stems having a beautiful appearance. Cannas are freely 
employed of several varieties, and they make some effective beds ; but one of 
them demands a special note. This is named Adrien Robini, and is certainly 
one of the best of the dark-coloured varieties ; the leaves are of good size, 
and the plants of medium height, but the colour is a peculiar dark red, most 
distinct in contrast with the silvery foliage of the Eucalyptus. Bamboos, 
Palms, Tree Ferns, Dracaenas, Polygonum cuspidatum, and even the common 
Hemp are also employed with good effect in suitable positions. One little- 
known but very old plant, Geranium anemonifolium, is used largely this 
season as a margin for many of the sub-tropical beds and shrubbery borders, 
and might be advantageously employed in gardens generally for this purpose. 
It has divided palmate leaves 6 to 8 inches in diameter, of a bright shining 
green colour, and rising on stout petioles to about a foot in height. They 
form a dense tuft, and have a most distinct appearance employed in the way 
indicated. It is strange that this plant has been known in English gardens 
for nearly 100 years should be so rarely seen when it might be so usefully 
employed. 
The carpet beds have been as bright and tasteful as the most fastidious 
could desire, and several have been exceptionally fine. This is particularly 
the case in the walk leading from the sub-tropical garden by the lake, where 
there are several very distinct beds. One of these deserves especial notice, 
as it is the most effective and at the same time the most simple that we have 
seen this year. The bed is a large one, oblong in form, having in the centre 
a chain of broad circles of Alternantheras. The two end circles consist of 
A. amoena, the two next of A. aurea, one on each side of the two central 
circles of A. magnifica. Connecting these are what may be termed narrow 
links of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum edged with Echeverias, 
while each circle is margined with two rows of Echeverias, separated by a 
narrow band of A. aurea. Outside this is a band of Mentha gibraltarica 
running round the whole bed, and then a margin of Antennaria with small 
elliptical panels of A. amoena. This bed has been greatly admired by visitors, 
as, though not possessing the intricacy of design which some people prefer, 
it has all the merit of simplicity and taste. Several other pretty beds could 
be noted, but they are mostly in the usual style, with panels of Alternan¬ 
theras on a ground of Mentha. 
It has been already mentioned that ribbon borders are freely employed in 
different portions of the park, and some of these are very attractively 
planted. In addition to the ordinary Pelargoniums, Calceolarias, Lobelias, &c., 
Pentstemons are largely planted with excellent results. Two very fine 
varieties are grown, one purple, and the other bright red with a white 
throat. Both are selections raised in this park, and are admirably adapted 
for planting on a large scale. Other distinct herbaceous plants are appro¬ 
priately employed, Sedum spectabile being abundantly used as margins with 
good effect, its broad green fleshy leaves and trusses of bright rosy red 
flowers being most pleasing. 
Walks, turf, shrubberies, and every portion of the park are kept in the 
neatest condition, such as any gardener might be proud of, and additional 
features of interest are constantly being added wherever the surroundings 
will admit. 
CHELSEA GARDENS. 
Passing over the Victoria Bridge, Pimlico, from the north-west corner of 
Battersea Park is Chelsea Hospital, the grounds and gardens of which are 
bounded by the Thames Embankment just opposite the Park. A large por¬ 
tion of the Hospital Grounds (Raneleigh Gardens) are open to the public ; 
but the fine terrace in front of the noble building is not. It is the private 
garden of the Governor of the Hospital, Field Marshal Sir Patrick Grant, 
G.C.B., and is, with the Ranelagh Gardens, under the able superintendence of 
Mr. Gibson, whose ready courtesy enables gardeners to inspect what is to 
be seen on the terrace in summer. 
Nearly or quite all forms of flower gardening were represented this season, 
mixed beds of plants hardy and tender, ribbon borders, and carpet bedding 
being well carried out. Each form no doubt has its admirers ; but two carpet 
beds were, afcer all that is said against this style of decoration, the chief 
Fig. 63.—CARPET BED. 
method; OF PLANTING. 
1. —Chamsepuce diaoantha and Sedum 
glaucum. 
2. —Echeveria glauca metallica. 
3. —Santolina incana. 
4. —Alternanthera amoena. 
5. —Golden Pyrethrum. 
6. —Pachyphyton bracteosum. 
7. —Alternanthera versicolor grandis. 
8. —A. paronychioides aurea major. 
9. —Echeveria secunda glauca. 
10. —Iresine Lindeni. 
11. —Echeveria Peacockii. 
12. —Pachyphyton bracteosum. 
13. —Alternanthera paronychioides aurea. 
points of attraction to visitors of every rank and degree. One of these beds 
was so striking that its design and method of planting is given. The bed is 
18 feet in diameter, and its effect was greatly enhanced by the broad sloping 
bolder containing the beds 12 and 13, eighteen inches in diameter. The 
groundwork of the bed, composed of the very dark Alternanthera versicolor 
grandis, brought out with great effect the silvery Chamaepuce, also the 
neutral-tinted Echeverias and Santolina, with the narrow lines of Golden 
Feather and the shield-shaped panels of the Golden Alternanthera. Designs 
have been given from time to time of beds in every one of the London parks, 
but the plan now represented differs from them all. It is, we believe, the 
production of Miss Grant, who also suggested the mode of planting. 
SEASONABLE NOTES ON FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
October is a busy month with all gardeners, but especially so with 
these who cultivate florists’ flowers—so busy that if he cultivates many 
kinds he hardly knows which way to turn. Chrysanthemums have to be 
hemsed. Auriculas moved to their winter quarters. Carnation layers to be 
taken up and potted. Pansies to be potted. Dahlia tubers to be taken up. 
Hyacinths to be potted, and various other minor operations to be carried 
out, so a few words may be seasonable and helpful to many. 
Auricdlas. —Whatever may have been the case more northwards, it 
has been a trying season for this part of England. The drought of nearly 
four months’ duration, the intense heat during so long a period made it 
very trying, and as a consequence 1 fear there is a good deal of autumn 
blooming. I was myself the victim of a singular mishap. We had a grand 
day here on the reopening of our church, on which we had expended 
upwards of two thousand pounds. We had to provide luncheon for 105 
people, to arrange for the horses and carriages to be taken care of. What 
wonder, then, that the poor garden was forgotten 1 The Auricula frames 
