August 30, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
191 
A ll who take an interest in the embellishment of the flower 
garden cannot fail to have noticed a gradual change in 
the method of summer bedding during the past decade. This, 
perhaps, is the more conspicuous in public parks, although it 
is gratifying to observe a similar revolution occurring in private 
establishments. As is well known, carpet pattern beds were 
popular not many years ago, and while these still linger with us 
there is now a tendency to introduce more variety and greater 
freedom in the arrangement of other plants. That this is a 
step in the right direction is generally admitted ; but further 
alterations in the style than have been hitherto noticed might 
advantageously be adopted. In no case can any bard and fast 
rules be laid down as to how a series of beds should be planted 
to produce the best floral effect, inasmuch as a great deal depends 
on the surroundings as well as the season ; but discretion should 
be brought to bear on the matter. There are instances where 
architectural elements predominate, and here perhaps formal 
arrangements may not be so much out of character as in a more 
naturally constituted garden. At the same time it is wise to 
conditionally effect a change annually, taking in coisideration the 
probable results. 
The present season can scarcely be termed an ideal one for 
flower gardening, nor will it in many respects bear comparison 
with the summer of 1893. Notwithstanding the prolonged drought, 
the tropical heat of last year favoured numerous plants, the more 
tender ones in particular, and where attention was given to watering 
and mulching, the results were of a gratifying nature. The growth 
of flowering plants was certainly retarded, but most of them 
bloomed profusely, whilst those employed for their foliage only 
were remarkably brilliant. This was the rule, with perhaps few 
exceptions, and rarely have ordinary bedding plants in the metro¬ 
politan parks looked better than they did last year. Considering 
the inclemency of the weather, which has, so far, characterised the 
present summer, the leading “lungs of London,” however, well 
maintain the reputation they have long held in this respect, and 
during a hurried visit last week it was noticed that some of the 
floral combinations were unusally effective. Ample evidence was 
forthcoming, though, that while certain plants are attractive 
during a tropical summer, they are decidedly out of place in a wet 
season, this applying with much force to those with flowers of a 
frail nature or inferior colour. Bold masses of brilliant tuberous 
Begonias and scarlet Zonal Pelargoniums were almost too glaring 
under the cloudless sky of last year, but they are appreciated this 
comparatively dull, wet summer. True, the latter plants, where 
placed in rich soil, have made undue growth, at perhaps the 
expense of bloom, but what flowers there are stand out prominently 
and add to the effectiveness of the beds. As for the crimson 
Begonias, they are assuredly wet weather plants, if one may judge 
by those now to be seen in some of the parks, the blooms pre¬ 
senting an imposing appearance, even on a rainy day. This not 
only applies to the well-known tuberous kinds, but to their rivals, 
the more recently raised varieties of Begonia semperflorens, 
some of which are indispensable for the decoration of the flower 
garden. It will serve no good purpose, however, to eulogise 
certain plants and condemn others, the object now in view being 
rather to enumerate a few floral combinations that have recently 
No. 740.—VoL. XXIX., Third Series 
come under notice, and which, another year, may be worthy of 
imitation. 
An expert expressed his opinion to the writer that although 
the bedding in Hyde Park is always good, it is this year, on the 
whole, even better than usual, and had the weather proved 
favourable this fact would have been brought out pre-eminently. 
As it is there are many charming arrangements, differing consider¬ 
ably in style, and sufficient to suit all tastes. Here may be noticed 
a trim carpet bed, the design being remarkably bold, and the 
foliage of the plants splendidly coloured for this dull season, 
whilst close by is situated a clump of Fuchsias laden with blossom. 
The carpet beds may have no charm for some eyes, but there is 
no disputing the fact that during an unfavourable summer they are, 
if properly managed, not without good points. It is obvious that 
the richly coloured foliage can bear with impunity more rain than 
ordinary flowers without presenting a washed-out appearance, and 
never was this more plainly demonstrated than in Hyde Park at 
the present time. Fortunately for British gardening our method 
of carpet bedding has its limits, not having so far, in the parks 
at least, reached to such an extent as is sometimes practised on 
the other side of the Atlantic. As before hinted, the designs 
for the most part are simple, and the plants well arranged, 
the colours being admirably blended. Whilst this method of 
bedding is thus managed it will always find a limited number 
of admirers, and consequently be seen in public places. For 
general effectiveness, though, in favourable seasons it cannot be 
compared to the free method of arrangement, and of the latter 
some really beautiful beds are noticeable in the above mentioned 
park. 
The fact that purely floral displays are of a transitory character 
has obviously been borne in mind, for it will be observed that 
mixtures of ornamental foliage and flowering plants are numerous. 
The value of these is very striking during a dull period, for whilst 
the flowers are faded the richly coloured leaves remain attractive, 
and add interest to what otherwise would be an ineffective arrange¬ 
ment under a cloudy canopy. A large bed may be instanced as an 
example. This is situated beneath the branches of trees, and is 
filled with Ricinus sanguineus, thinly disposed so as to permit 
specimens of Fuchsia gracilis variegatus being planted alternately. 
Here and there are some well-flowered plants of Verbena venosa 
and Golden Privets, the whole rising from a carpet of Alternan- 
thera magnifica. Tuberous Begonias are planted on the frontal 
portion of the bed, which is edged with Iresine Lindeni and 
Lobelia Snowball. Of a different character is an arrangement 
comprising scarlet Z )nal Pelargoniums planted with fine masses 
of Phalangium argenteo-lineare and early flowering Chrysan¬ 
themums, the base being devoted to mauve Violas. A bread band 
of Fuchsia Cloth of Gold completes this bed, which has more 
admirers than might be imagined. In close proximity to the latter 
is another bed similarly planted. This is filled with medium-sized 
plants of the scented-leaved Pelargonium denticulatum, Phalan- 
gium argenteo-lineare, scarlet tuberous Begonias, and blush 
Chrysanthemums. There is a wide margin of Fuchsia Cloth of 
Gold, amongst which are plants of Begonia semperflorens roseai 
with an edging of Lobelia Lord Beaconsfield. Viewed from 
a distance a large bed of brilliant Zonal Pelargoniums and 
Begonias, with “ dot ” plants of white Abutilons and the Golden¬ 
leaved Privet, with a row of a blush variety of Begonia semper¬ 
florens and edging of Alternanthera magnifica, is very imposing. 
The same may be said of another bed with a groundwork of 
Alternanthera magnifica, from which rise plants of Seaforthia 
elegans and Dracaenas, alternated with Begonia Worthiana. The 
margin of this bed is devoted to small clumps of Farfugium grande, 
Dracaena rubra, Ophiopogon Juburan variegata and Centaurea 
candidissima planted in rotation, with an edging of Antennaria 
tomentosa, the whole producing a grand effect. There are many 
mere excellent arrangements in this park, and visitors will see 
No. 239G.—VoL XCI., Old Series. 
