1863. ] 
NOTES ON BEDDING PLANTS. 
149 
plentiful as blackberries, and in some instances as much alike; of high- 
coloured Variegated Zonal Pelargoniums, reputed to be quite distinct in 
character, though to the eye of an ordinary observer the family likeness is 
so close as to be almost bewildering, and of other suchlike expensive toys 
for the flower garden, cannot draw off the allegiance of these humble souls 
from the old-fashioned plants they so ardently cherish. To such, that fine 
Heliotrope, Surpasse Madame Gruascoi, is one that will fill them with joy, 
if they will but obtain it. It was introduced from France a year or two ago ; 
it is pale in colour, but the trusses are immense, and so freely produced 
as to well nigh hide the foliage of the plants. It has a highly vigorous 
constitution, and last year stood well the test of out-door work in beds. 
Two very dwarf-growing bedding Dahlias can be highly recommended— 
Little Wonder, orange crimson, and Orientale, rosy pink, both very effective. 
They are dwarf-growing—not reputed to be so merely, and the shades of 
colour are very effective. As a back row to a ribbon border on a large 
scale, Little Wonder would do good and acceptable service. 
In the way of bedding Zonal Pelargoniums I have notes of the follow¬ 
ing as among the most effective kinds it was my lot to see last year :— 
Commissioner, vivid orange scarlet, very fine and striking; Louise Eoezeler, 
salmon, dashed with orange, a grand bedder; Leonidas, deep glowing 
scarlet, very fine and effective; Louise Veuillot, a hybrid Nosegay variety, 
with brilliant crimson flowers, of excellent shape and substance for a 
Nosegay variety, also a splendid bedder; Achilles, brilliant deep scarlet, a 
great improvement on Punch and others of a like character; and Jules 
Cesar, an improved Eoi d’ltalie, the flowers of a fine hue of colour, and 
well adapted for pot culture. With one or two exceptions the foregoing 
are of French extraction. 
As a summer bedding plant, the old blue Campanula carpatica is worthy 
of a much wider recognition. Being a hardy perennial, it will do well in 
almost any situation, but it should not occupy a damp and low position 
during the winter. It commences to bloom by the beginning of June, and 
wfill continue to flower through the summer. The seed pods should be 
gathered, as they have an unsightly appearance, and their removal tends 
to induce the production of fresh flowers. The tufts should be lifted in 
early spring, divided if necessary, and replanted, using some good soil about 
the roots. It is invaluable for ribbon borders, and when once tried will 
not be readily abandoned. There is a so-called variety to be met with in 
some places, under the name of Bowoodiana, said to be much darker in 
colour and more branching in the habit than the old variety, and said to 
have been selected at Lord Lansdowne’s seat, at Bowood. 
Those who have never tried the Cliveden Yellow Pansy as a summer 
bedding plant should do so. Two years ago Mr. Turner had a bed of it 
