LONG-LASTING FLOWERS FOR BEDS AND BORDERS

Evening Star, Issue 21724, 19 May 1934, Page 25

LONG-LASTING FLOWERS FOR BEDS AND BORDERS

There are usually beds or borders near the house devoted to bedding plants. Carpet bedding has given way to a more simple style of summer bedding, often following a spring display of bulbs, wallflower, forget-me-not, and similar plants. Thei'e is, however, another way of treating these beds which I will call permanent bedding, as distinct from the annuals and half-hardy plants which are generally used (says ‘Popular Gardening,' London). To get a blaze of colour over as long a period as possible from these beds only perennial plants of low to medium height are suitable. Polyantha roses are excellent for this purpose and must head the list. The most showy and free-flowering varieties are Ellen Poulsen, double, bright rose, pink; Else Poulseu, semi-double, flesh pink; Kirsten Poulsen, single scarlet with yellow centre; Gloria Mnndi, resembling the colour of Paul Crampel geranium; Golden Salmon ; and Katherine Zeimet. white. These varieties bloom continuously throughout summer and autumn, but if it is desired to add to their effect plant violas round the edges of the beds, and perhaps between the roses as well. Together they will give a show comparing favourably with the more usual geraniums and antirrhinums. Lavender and mauve violas, such as Maggie Mot, Blue Gem, Jersey Gem, Mauve Queen, and Bridal Morn, should be planted with the pink roses; White Swan, Primrose Dame, or Mrs Chichester with the geranium-coloured roses. The deep violet violas Archie Grant

and Jubilee look exceedingly lino with the white Katherine Zeimot rose.

The dwarf Amelins asters such as King George, Beauty of Ronsdorf, Rudolph Goethe, Sonia, and Ultramarine are splendid for bedding out, especially if intcrplanted with Anchusas Opal, Morning Glory, or Dropmore. Together they (lower over a long period, the asters following the michnsas.

Unite small beds might ho planted with Mimnlu.s Bnrnotti in the centre, surrounded by viola Archie Grant or Jersey Gem, which would make a pleasing purple and orange scheme. Liliums nmbollatum , eroctum and speciosum rubrum or the 'Tiger or Mar-t-agon lilies, as well as the popular gladioli, make a pleasing show with a groundwork of catmint (Nepeta Mussinii).

Larger beds might bo filled with lupins, asters of medium height between them, such as Mother of Pearl, Rod Rover, Royal Blue, and Wonder of Cohvall. Helonium pumilium magnificuih, or JT. rnmbrum could be used in place of the asters if yellow and bronze colours arc preferred to the blues, greys, and rose-pink asters. For beds in the loss important parts of more spacious gardens _ there are fuchsia Rieciirtoni, salvia. Virgata Ncmorosa, and, in damp rich soils, the fine hydrangea Paniculata Grandiflora, which make such a magnificent show all through the autumn.’