January 10, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
9 
THE FLOWER GHRDEN. 
A Bed of Succulents. 
A pleasing relief is often obtained from the monotony of 
summer bedding by the use of succulents, whose gaunt, 
grotesque, and quaint forms impart a considerable amount of 
variety that cannot be obtained from Pelargoniums, Calceo¬ 
larias, Ageratums, Begonias, and other subjects that present 
much general uniformity of appearance when planted together 
in masses. 
The illustration here presented will furnish at a glance a 
method of employing the succulents for the purpose above 
named. The bed, group, or rockery is elevated in a series of 
mounds, and planted either promiscuously or in some order of 
arrangement or plan all over the area at disposal. Prominent 
most interesting and attractive feature of the grounds. The 
groundwork is planted with hardy Sedums, Sempervivums, and 
similar subjects which remain through the winter. In summer 
the more tender Cotyledons (Echeverias), Cereus, Opuntias, 
Mesembryanthemums, Agaves, Aloes, Mamillarias, Ecliino- 
cactus, Echinocereus, etc., are plunged or planted out. The 
corner in which these beds were situated was always admired 
by the visitors. 
Miscellaneous Bulbous=Rooted Plants. 
('Concluded from page 281, Vol. xix.) 
Hyacinthus candicans is another hardy bulb, well adapted 
for the mixed flower border. It delights in a fairly rich, well- 
drained soil. A clump of six or more, with their numerous 
positions are planted with Agave americana, species of Opuntia 
and other Cacti. Aloes, Dracaenas, or Yuccas are also brought 
into requisition, and placed in positions appropriate to their 
size and general character. 
Flowering plants may also be employed in suitable places, 
but the ground generally is carpeted with Sedums, Semper¬ 
vivums, Echeverias, and other subjects of a low-growing and 
succulent nature. The whole assortment may occupy some dry 
position where the general run of bedding plants would not 
■succeed. Gasterias, Haworthias and various others in endless 
diversity of form may be called into requisition ; and, with tire 
wealth of material at hand, the ingenious and tasteful gardener 
can hardly fail to construct and plant a design that would 
attract a considerable amount of attention from visitors or the 
general public. 
The accompanying figure represents one of several beds of 
succulents and Cacti so well done by Mr. G. Dray, the super¬ 
intendent of the Recreation Grounds at Sydenham, when he 
was in charge of the Benge Recreation Grounds, and formed a 
small, bell-shaped flower® on stalks from 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, is 
a sight worth looking at. They also do well in pots. 
Montbretias are a hardy class- of summer flowering bulbs 
which do well in any sunny border; in fact, almost too well, as 
they increase so readily, although ‘we do not see them as often 
as they deserve. Once established, they throw up spikes, 
2 ft. long, of handsome flowers, which are very useful for vase 
and decorative work, and last a long t ime- after being cut. They 
are not very particular as to soil and situation. There have 
been several new varieties introduced of late years, and which 
are worth growing. Bouquet Parfait, Star of Fire, Feu de 
Artifice, Transcendant, and Queen of Sheba are amongst the 
best of them. 
Schizostylis is another of the bulbous family, which should 
be grown by all who have a. garden, even if it -is only a- clump 
in the kitchen garden, with their rosy, scarlet, Gladioli-like 
flowers, coming as they do late in the autumn, and so useful 
as cut flowers. They also- do well as pol plants, and two or 
three clumps in 6-in. pots will make the conservatory look 
