
APRIL. 12] 
Next let us speak of Phloxes. Gen. Brea, Minerva, Mons. Guizot, 
Duval, and Madame Derdan, are very fine, but are more adapted for 
borders of miscellaneous plants than for beds by themselves. 
Of Verbenas I grow about 400 plants. Early spring struck cuttings 
are preferred. The following, out of about 50 varieties, with us stand 
best against wet weather, by which the beauty of a Verbena bed is so 
much spoiled:—LKvening Star, Mrs. Holford, Dr. Sankey, Celestial, 
General Simpson, Géant des Batailles, striata perfecta, Malakhoff, Lord 
Raglan, Mrs, Woodroffe, Satanella, Purple King, Marianne, Lydia, 
Lord Elgin, Mars, Novelty, Madame de Blaine, Ne Plus Ultra, 
Lightning, Brilliant de Vaise, Souvenir de Mons. Seringe. But in 
bedding out Verbenas, attention should be paid to habit; for a rank and 
close growing habit, if planted together, prevents that even appearance 
which adds so much to the beauty of a bed. 
Of Calceolarias, aurea floribunda is undoubtedly the best for bedding; 
it looks well edging a bed of Tom Thumb Geraniums; I generally 
grow about 90 plants. 
Ageratum mexicanum looks well planted pretty closely in the centre 
of a bed; it is too tall to make a handsome bed without some lower 
plant of a good contrast in colour around it; of this we require 
about 50 plants. 
Cuphea platycentra, 40 plants. 
Salvia patens, good for centres, 20 plants. 
Antirrhinums of the scarlet, sulphur, rose, and white varieties, 50 
plants. 
Pyrethrum album plenum, 20 plants. 
Larkspur—formosum and magnificum, &c., 50 plants. 
Lobelia speciosa and Koniga variegata, for edgings, of each 100 plants. 
Heliotrope, Beauty of the Boudoir, 30 plants. 
Pentstemon, scarlet, 40 plants. | 
Gaillardia picta, do., well pegged down, 50 plants. 
Nasturtium, Tom Thumb, 60 plants; very showy, but apt to grow 
rather too freely. 
Of dwarf bedding Dahlias, I prefer Zelinda (purple), Crystal Palace 
Scarlet, Midnight, alba floribunda pleno, Royal Purple, Beaute de 
Massiffs, Goldfinder. 
Show Dahlias look well in borders, if set back. 
The same may be said of Hollyhocks, of which I have seen grand 
displays in some gardens; and of which I would recommena the 
amateur to grow seedlings rather than old varieties, as they open a wide 
and interesting field for experiment. 
Of annuals, the essential varieties are Asters—Bouquet, Pyramid, 
and French Peony—all 12 distinct sorts ; Zinnia elegans, do. ; Balsams 
in great variety ; Marigolds, French and African; do. Pigmy French, 
for edging; Ten-week Stocks in various colours; Convolvulus minor ; 
Portulaccas of various colours, growing low, and very showy for beds ; 
together with Sweet Peas, Mignonette, and many others I could name, 
which have all their proper places in a well-arranged flower garden. 
The plants. most suitable for baskets and vases are Maurandya 
Barclayana, Eccremocarpus scaber, Petunia Prince Albert, ‘Tropzolum 
