694 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 30, 1888. 
GardeningNotesfromIreland. 
Carpet and Other Bedding in the People’s 
Park, Phcenix Park, Dublin. 
With few exceptions the term “carpet bedding” 
would seem to apply to the vast amount of summer 
bedding done in the People’s Park. At all events, in a 
greater or less degree I think carpeting is an idea that 
appears to he carried out pretty extensively, and the 
working out of this principle has the most pleasing 
effect, the materials required being often of a simple 
character. Going in at the Park Street entrance, and 
taking the road to the right, we came upon a large oval 
bed that will illustrate what I mean to convey. This 
bed has been planted with Gladiolus, which are now a 
considerable height, and the surface is carpeted with 
a purple Viola. The Viola has been in bloom all the 
spring, and is at present a most attractive object, 
reminding one at first sight of a bed of Clematis 
Jackmanii I saw some years ago. The Violas appear 
capable of continuing their flowering period until long 
after the Gladioli will be done. As showing still 
further what good decorative effects can be produced 
by some very common things, I may instance the scarlet 
Valerian,which I found here growing in large masses on a 
rockery. The appearance of this blaze of colour was at 
a distance remarkable, but the glare in the immediate 
vicinity of the rockery was considerably relieved by 
tufts of a tall white-foliaged species of Salvia. Here 
also is a large bed, 27 ft. by 9 ft., centred with 
several lines of Begonias, around which is a broad 
band of a very dwarf and free-flowering Ageratum, 
known as Cupid, and which is used here for bedding 
purposes in immense quantities. As an edging next 
the grass this bed has a broad line of Antennaria 
tomentosa. 
At the point of the rockery mentioned is a large 
circular bed, having a diameter of 24 ft., and chiefly 
composed of Pelargoniums. In the centre is a circle 
of our very old—I might, I fear, almost say ancient- 
friend Tom Thumb, around this being a line of 
Mrs. Mappin, and then circles filled in alternately with 
Crystal Palace Gem, Mrs. Kingsbury (white), and 
West Brighton (scarlet) Pelargoniums. The spaces 
between the inner and outer edges of the circles are 
planted with Ageratum Cupid and Mesembryanthemum 
cordifolium variegatum, then a line of Tropseolum 
Vesuvius, the whole being finished with an edging of 
Echeveria secunda glauca. 
Adjoining this bed, and on the south side of the 
rockery, is a large border, 275 ft. long by 12 ft. broad, 
which, when viewed from either end—in fact, from any 
point—has a very fine appearance. Backing the border 
is a line of Aucubas, in front of which is a row of Phlox, 
and then a line of Calceolaria Sparkler. At regular 
intervals all along the border there are prominent 
clumps of Tom Thumb Pelargoniums planted, the 
spaces between them being done with Crystal Palace 
Gem, Henri Jacoby, Charles Gibbons, and Manglesii 
Pelargoniums, divided by lines of blue Viola. In 
front of the above arrangement is a broad curved 
ribbon of Pyrethrum selaginoides, run in between two 
straight lines, one of Tropeeolum Vesuvius and the 
other of Lobelia Bluestone. This border, on the whole, 
looks well, and will, I am sure, have many admirers. 
Coming to beds again, I find that while many of the 
patterns require the utmost care in defining the colour¬ 
lines of the different figures used, there are, on the 
other hand, beds plainly but attractively planted. 
For example, a large one, 20 ft. in diameter, is filled 
with Baron de Lesseps Pelargonium, and edged with 
Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, Duke of Edinburgh, while 
another bed of nearly the same size is already making 
a good show with Mrs. Turner Pelargonium, a good 
pink bedder, surrounded with a line of blue Viola, and 
edged with Duke of Edinburgh Pelargonium. 
A very handsome circular bed is one having a bold 
centre of Cordyline australis, with an equally bold line 
around it of Phormium tenax, then a circle of Abutilon 
Thompsoni. The design for the carpeting is a star, 
the rays of which are very tastefully and effectively 
worked out. The alternate colouring is afforded by 
bronze Marshal McMahon and white Mrs. Kingsbury 
Pelargoniums, Lobelia Bluestone, and Veronica varie- 
gata. Outside the points of the star are filled in with 
Alternanthera, dotted at intervals with small plants 
of Aralia Sieboldii, the whole being surrounded with 
an edging of Echeveria. Echeverias of various species 
appear to be much relied on for edging of all kinds of 
beds in the People’s Park, and it seems to me it would 
be difficult to find any plant so useful for that purpose, 
aud at the same time requiring so little attention to 
keep in order. Another point to note is that, notwith¬ 
standing the immense size of the beds, and the various 
designs in which they are laid out, they are all done 
with nearly the same class of plants—a matter which 
reflects great credit on the designer, Mr. "W. Dick, the 
very able and courteous superintendent, and on the 
foreman, Mr. Stubbs, who in the exercise of a remark¬ 
able skill in carrying out the designs set before him, 
has contrived to give a very fine effect to them. 
In another large bed—34 ft. by 12 ft.—a pleasing 
result is achieved by planting the centre in circular 
form with Begonia "Weltoniensis, and for contrast 
Chelsea Gem is used, while for other colouring, 
Arabis lucida, Iresine Lindeni, Veronica incana, Sun¬ 
rise Fuchsia, &c. Then comes a square bed of succulents 
—20 ft. by 20 ft.— with circles of bedding in the 
centre, each end of the bed showing a very neat design 
in panel work. It has a fine plant of Yucca gloriosa 
in the centre, with Aloes, Agave americana, Echeverias 
of sorts, fine plants of E. metallica and E. Peacockii, 
Sempervivums, Kleinia repens, Sedums, Saxifrages, &c. 
For the centres of beds there are two kinds of plants 
freely used here, which are Grevillea robusta and Ficus 
elastica, and, up to the present, they appear to have 
borne the late cold easterly weather well. Another 
plant largely used and much admired by visitors is 
the well-known Harrison’s Musk, which, from its 
appearance now and the immense quantities of it in 
use, I think Mr. Dick intends holding on to; as with 
many other plants that he uses to illustrate and define 
his figures, I think I have noticed a determination to 
stick to such as he has found to answer his purpose. 
I fear I might lay myself open to the charge of 
repetition were I to go into the details of various other 
beds, but the fact is, it would be quite impossible 
to give, in any amount of words, an adequate idea of 
the diversity of figures and the richness of the colouring 
employed. It might be attempted, but would not be 
successful. I took notes of many of the' beds, which 
I find I cannot avail myself of, as they would extend to 
an unreasonable length; and I find, too, that to 
remember everything in connection with the forms of 
the beds and plants used for bedding, even when notes 
are taken, is not quite so easy as one might think. I 
shall, therefore, confine any further observations to a 
few really superb beds. The centre of one of these is 
laid out in the form of a Greek cross ; the chief plant 
used for the ground-work of the pattern is a bronze 
Alternanthera, the dividing lines, where requisite, 
being done with a sort of chain work of Cerastium 
Biebersteinii. The centre plant is Ficus elastica, 
with a circular band of white Veronica, and outside the 
cross is filled in with green and gold moss-like plants 
of, I think, Herniaria glabra and Spergula aurea. Each 
arm of the cross, with its dark bronze carpet, has a 
square of gold colour worked in with Spergula aurea ; 
the whole striking the eye as a good harmonious piece 
of colouring, and which must have been no easy, task to 
accomplish. The other bed I shall notice is one of 
exceeding beauty. Like the last one, it has a plant of 
Ficus elastica 4 ft. high for the centre, and around this 
is Canadian variegated Vine, and from this is boldly 
brought out equal-sized, and at equal distances, four 
shields of the old Celtic character. They are planted 
with the Golden Pyrethrum selaginoides, and edged 
round with Alternanthera paronychioides. The re¬ 
maining portion of the carpeting of this bed is very 
attractive, but the four shields, which I have attempted 
to describe, are so prominent by their form and 
colour that the attention of visitors can hardly fail to 
be arrested by them. 
It remains only for me to pass a few remarks on a 
large bed of Papaver nudicaule, and which, with other 
smaller beds around, I learned had attracted a good 
number of people to see the grand variety of colours 
displayed by these simple plants. The colours are 
scarlet, white, and yellow, and although said to be 
long past their best, were still expanding quantities of 
flowers. No doubt much of the charm afforded by 
such simple flowers is the large extent of ground 
allotted to them. I think this remark applies to all 
the bedding done in the “People’s Park,” and to that 
not a little of the good effect produced is owing to the 
formation of the beds, for while adhering in almost all 
cases to the circle, the oval or the square, Mr. Dick 
has carefully avoided all other geometrical intricacies. 
It is a pleasing duty for me to have to record my 
recognition of the successful efforts, both artistic and 
practical, which have been made to create and elevate 
a public taste in these matters. Mr. Dick and his able 
assistants have contributed in no small degree to bring 
about so desirable a result, and I would hope that their 
work in the future will still further tend to make the 
“ People’s Garden ” a place of even greater popularity 
as a resort than it is at present. — W. D. 
NEWLY PLANTED SUBJECTS. 
During the past month a great number of useful 
things have been put out in the flower beds- and 
borders. The bedding plants employed, having been, 
in a large measure, grown in pots, have generally 
good balls of roots with soil about them ; and if when 
they were planted out a little fine soil was placed 
round the roots so as to encourage them to start into 
growth, the fibres will soon take hold, and the plant 
become established. But, although the weather is 
showery, when it is fine the soil dries qnickly, and 
newly planted things require close attention, more 
especially as the temperature is low for the season of 
the year, the nights cold, and the plants slow in making 
growth. 
Sprinkling overhead with soft water in the evening 
is useful, taking care also that the soil about the 
roots is sufficiently moist. The sprinklings over¬ 
head are necessary to keep the foliage fresh, while the 
roots are establishing themselves in the ground. The 
sooner the plants take root in the soil, the more qnickly 
do they grow and furnish the beds. The beds should 
be kept clear of weeds, and the surface soil occasionally 
stirred. Trailing plants, such as Verbenas, Phlox 
Drummondi, Petunias, Nasturtiums, &e., should be 
pegged out so as to furnish the surface of the bed, and 
then they may be permitted to fill out, a little atten¬ 
tion being given that the shoots are equally distributed 
so as to properly cover the beds all over. 
There is a class of dwarf-growing, bright foliaged 
bedding plants known as Alternantheras. These are 
natives of warm countries, but they do well in the open 
ground in many parts of the United Kingdom. They 
are charming plants in small beds, because of the rich 
tints the leaves display when they make a free growth. 
It is hardly safe to put such plants out in the open 
ground until the middle of June, unless the position is 
a warm and sheltered one. Unquestionably, Alternan¬ 
theras do best in an open and sunny spot—sun is 
absolutely necessary to their well-being and effectiveness. 
And they must not be in poor soil. They require a 
rich soil at the roots, also to be kept moist, and 
have plenty of sun overhead. If a little coco-nut fibre 
he laid on the surface of the soil it tends to keep it 
moist, and that is a condition that suits the Alternan¬ 
theras exactly. 
Then a good many things have been put out from 
the seedling beds, such as Asters, Stocks, Zinnias, 
Larkspurs, Marigolds, &c. These require water at the 
roots, and must have it if they are to grow into size 
and bloom in a satisfactory manner. "When planted 
out from the seed beds the roots are often destitute of 
soil, and unless the earth about the roots is fine, moist, 
and cool, they soon die. Therefore, it is necessary that 
the plants be sprinkled overhead at least once a day, 
while hot drying weather lasts, and also be watered at 
the roots if needful.— E. D. 
-- 
NEW PLANTS CERTIFICATED 
By the Royal Botanic Society. 
June 20th. 
PlIALiEXOPSIS SPECIOSA IMPEL.ATRIX. 
The type was shown alongside the variety, by which 
the latter could be distinguished by the uniform dark 
purple of the sepals and petals without any of the 
transverse streaks characteristic of the type. Botanical 
Certificate. Exhibited by Major-General E. S. 
Berkeley. 
Phalenopsis Kimballiana. 
This is a new species from the Philippine Islands, with 
yellow sepals and petals transversely barred with pale 
brown. The lip is pale rosy violet, narrow, sharply 
ridged, bearded with white hairs, and yellow between 
the lateral lobes. The column is pale rose. Botanical 
Certificate. Exhibited by Messrs. F. Sander & Co. 
Odoxtoglossum Cokadixei hemileucum. 
The sepals and petals are pale yellow, with a large 
brown blotch on the centre of each, while the blotch 
of the lip is larger and darker. The flowers in¬ 
dividually are above the average size for 0. Coradinei. 
Botanical Certificate. Exhibited by Messrs. F. Sander 
& Co. 
Odoxtoglossum coedatum splexdexs. 
The sepals of this variety are almost wholly of a deep 
chestnut-brown, while the petals are blotched all over 
with a paler colour. The lip is white, with a few 
brown blotches. Botanical Certificate. Exhibited by 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co, 
