EDGING PLANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 20

EDGING PLANTS

In the perfect border the plants which are used along the margin should be selected with thoughtful care. These are the ones that meet the eye when anyone is walking along tho paths, and indiscriminate planting may easily mar the otherwise well-planned effects in the border. The beginner should take special care that tho colours of the plants selected for edgings harmonise with those in thenvicinity. ... Roughly speaking, there are two kinds of border edgings—tho formal- and the irregular. The formal edging may be formed Of turf or of clipped box. Turf edgings are rather troublesome to keep in condition, but aro particularly suited to formal rose beds. The box edging is now largely superseded by the use of rough stones, between and around which dwarf alpine and various creeping plants may be comfortably accommodated. This form of edging is usually the most suitable for the modern border. The true beauty of tho edge should be found in its variation in colour and shade, in its continuity of bloom, and the way in which it softens hard edges. Each season of tho year should have some particular phase.of beauty. There should bo no stint of fragrant flowers, especially of those kinds which yield their perfume when "bruised in passing, A very pleasing effect may be obtained by the association of Cerastium Eiebersteini, with various kinds ,of aubrietins. Here care, must be exercised in curtailing tho growth of tho ccrnstiuni, which otherwise crowds out its companions. White arabis is another useful and showy plant, but here again the plants must not bo allowed to outrun their allotted territory. The doubleflowered variety is, perhaps, the most suitable. , Among tho pink family are some very acceptable plants. Dianthus deltoidee, the maiden pink, ia deservedly popular. It yields an abundant mass of rosy-crim-son blossoms. , The fragrant, pink-blos-somed Cheddar pink is a special delight. D. squarroeus has white flowers and greyish foliage, and thrives particularly well at the edge of the border. Any of tho garden pinks may be pressed into service for edging purposes, and their delightful perfume will add considerably to the lure of the garden. By tho association, of the blue and white forms of Campanula pusilla colour may be continued throughout the summer. C. pumila or ccespitosa is likewise useful. The dwarf blue and white ageratums were once popular edging plants, and may be raised from seeds sown under glass in tho spring. Dwarf nasturtiums make very good edgings, and in poor, stony soil will give an abundance of blossom. Those with variegated foliage are especially attractive. Pretty combinations of red ami white may be made with the dwarf candytufts, and the flowers come in useful for cutting. A favourite plant for the sunless border is London Pride. For small borders tins plant may be used by itself, for its rosettes of evergreen foliage are attractive at all seasons of the year. Most people admire the flowers of London Pride when grown in large masses. The mossy saxifrages are also useful, especially where stones are used to form a margin. A very useful subject for sunny borders is Armeria vulgaris, the common thrift. It forms soft green cushions of grass-like foliage, and bears charming pink blossoms. The catmint, Nepeta Mussini, makes a glorious display in sunny situations, but it needs restricting in some soils. —H. G„ in Amateur Gardening.