62 
BEDDING PLANTS. 
Pelargonium . From this extensive family we should select for 
bedding only the scarlet and variegated kinds. Of the former 
the most desirable are those which combine a dwarf, compact 
style of growth with a free habit of flowering, such as Tom 
Thumb, Huntsman, Frogmore, and Fireball. The first of these 
is very generally admitted to be the best for flower-garden pur¬ 
poses, as it possesses the requisite qualifications in an eminent 
degree. The silver-striped variegated kind is often useful for 
enlivening the front of beds containing dark masses of ever¬ 
green, with which it harmonizes very well. The modern fancy 
varieties are objectionable, as they do not continue to flower after 
the middle of July. The management of these plants is so well 
known that we need not go over it, merely remarking that pre¬ 
ference should always he given to the old plants for bedding, as 
the young produce of cuttings taken in the autumn of the pre¬ 
vious, or spring of the current year do not flower so soon or so 
freely as those which are a year or two older. 
Penstemon gentianoides and its varieties are universally es¬ 
teemed. They are of rapid growth, attaining about three feet in 
height, producing numerous spikes of large tubular red flowers. 
The plants are nearly hardy, merely requiring to be guarded 
from severe frost. Propagation is effected either by seed or cut¬ 
tings, operated on in March. 
Penstemon Cobea, Murrayanum, and speciosa are beautiful 
plants, but do not succeed, except in certain favorable situations, 
and, being very liable to damp off in winter, cannot be recom¬ 
mended for general adoption. 
Petunia. The numberless varieties of P. phcenicia are among 
the easiest plants to manage, and the most prolific of flowers that 
can be introduced, a bed of these continuing an uninterrupted 
blaze of beauty from June to October. The colours may be se¬ 
lected of any required warm shade between pure white and the 
richest purple, or they may be promiscuously mixed without 
offending the scrutinizing eye of taste. The plants should be 
stationed about two feet from each other, and, if left to them¬ 
selves, will effectually cover their allotted space without rising- 
more than a foot and a half. Seed sown in March will form ex¬ 
cellent plants for turning out at the usual time, but if particular 
colours are required, it will be necessary to propagate a stock 
