THE AMATEUR’S FLOWER GARDEN. 
85 
that Golden Cham, in common with many other slow-growing 
varieties, should be taken care of, to secure a good stock of 
old plants , for this variety cannot be considered quite suitable 
for bedding until the plants are three years old. It is but 
proper to add, however, that vigorous growers like Meridian 
Sun and Golden Banner are remarkably effective in their first 
season, but, nevertheless, the enthusiast in parterre colouring 
will never regret the exercise of patient care in the proper 
treatment of this fine old favourite of the garden. Add to the 
stock of golden-edged geraniums, Crystal Palace Gem , which 
is almost a self, Gold Circle , Creed's Seedling , and Yelloiv Gem. 
Silver Edged. —-In this class we place all the white and 
creamy-toned “variegated geraniums.” They are rather 
delicate in constitution, and old plants are to be valued, es¬ 
pecially if judiciously cut down to keep them dwarf and 
bushy. The best of the whitest are Floiver of Spring , Silver 
Chain , Queen of Queens , Bijou , Snowdrop , and Avalanche. 
The last-named has white flowers, and, therefore, the flowers 
need not be removed. The best of the creamy-edged are 
Daybreak , Oriancc , and Flower of the Day. 
Green Ivy-leaved geraniums are useful for edgings and for 
baskets. The best are Bridal Wreath , Gem of the Season , and 
Willsi rosea. 
Golden Edged Ivy-leaved geraniums make lovely edgings 
where they can be employed with advantage. The common 
Golden Ivy-leaved or Aurea variegata , which is its grand name, 
is quite a gem in its way. The other varieties of this section 
are all second-rate. 
Silver Edged .—The best of these are L'Elegante and Silver 
Gem. 
Hybrid Geraniums , in poor soil, may be planted out; but 
where the soil is strong it is best to plunge them in pots, and 
have a reserve of plants to take their places in case they fail 
before the season is over. As for the reserve plants, the way 
to insure having them in bloom when they are likely to be 
wanted is to cut them back in May, shift them early in June, 
at the end of June pinch out the tops and all the trusses, 
and then let them push their trusses to be ready for service 
in the parterre. The White Unique , Crimson Unique , and 
Purple Unique are splendid plants. Bridal Bing , Britannia , 
and Ignescens superb a are, in their way, extremely useful. 
Pentstemon.— For large isolated beds the garden varieties 
