The following list will be helpful to the beginner. It embraces a number of the plants in common use for carpet-bedding, although not all of them. The usual heights are given in inches. This, of course, in different soils and under different treatment is more or less a variable quantity. The figures in parentheses suggest in inches suitable distances for planting in the row when immediate effects are expected. A verbena in rich soil will in time cover a circle three feet or more in diameter; other plants mentioned spread considerably; but when used in the carpet-bed, they must be planted close. One cannot wait for them to grow. The aim is to cover the ground at once. Although planted thick in the row, it will be desirable to leave more room between the rows in case of spreading plants like the verbena. Most of them, however, need little if any more space between the rows than is indicated by the figures given. In the list those plants that bear free clipping are marked with *:
The figure immediately following the name of plant indicates its height, the figures in parentheses the distance for planting, in inches.
1. LOW-GROWING PLANTS
A. FOLIAGE PLANTS.
Crimson.—*Alternanthera amœna spectabilis, 6 (4-6).
Alternanthera paronychioides major, 5 (3-6).
Alternanthera versicolor, 5 (3-6).
Yellow.—Alternanthera aurea nana, 6 (4-6).
Gray, or whitish.—Echeveria secunda, glauca, 1-1/2 (3-4).
Echeveria metallica, 9 (6-8).
Cineraria maritima, 15 (9-12).
Sempervivum Californicum, 1-1/2 (3-4).
Thymus argenteus, 6 (4-6).
Bronze brown.—Oxalis tropæoloides, 3 (3-4).
Variegated
(white and green).—Geranium Mme. Salleroi, 6 (6-8).
*Sweet alyssum, variegated, 6 (6-9).
B. FLOWERING PLANTS.
Scarlet.—Phlox Drummondii, Dwarf, 6 (4-6).
Cuphea platycentra, Cigar Plant, 6 (4-6).
White.—Sweet alyssum, Little Gem, 4 (4-6).
Sweet alyssum, common, 6 (6-8).
Phlox Drummondii, Dwarf, 6 (4-6).
Blue.—Lobelia, Crystal Palace, 6 (4-6).
Ageratum, Dwarf Blue, 6 (6-8).
2. PLANTS OF TALLER GROWTH
A. FOLIAGE PLANTS.
Crimson.—*Coleus Verschaffeltii, 24 (9-12).
*Achyranthes Lindeni, 18 (8-12).
*Achyranthes Gilsoni, 12 (8-12).
*Achyranthes Verschaffeltii, 12 (8-12).
*Acalypha tricolor, 12-18 (12).
Yellow.—*Coleus, Golden Bedder, 24 (9-12).
*Achyranthes, aurea reticulata, 12 (8-12).
Golden feverfew (Pyrethrum parthenifolium aureum), (6-8).
Bronze geranium, 12 (9).
Silvery white.—Dusty miller (Centaurea gymnocarpa), 12 (8-12).
*Santolina Chamæcyparissus incana, 6-12 (6-8).
Geranium, Mountain of Snow, 12 (6-9).
Variegated
(white and green).—*Stevia serrata var., 12-18 (8-12).
Phalaris arundinaeca var., (grass), 24 (4-8).
Cyperus alternifolius var., 24-30 (8-12).
Bronze.—*Acalypha marginata, 24 (12).
B. FLOWERING PLANTS.
Scarlet.—Salvia splendens, 36 (12-18).
Geraniums, 24 (12).
Cuphea tricolor (C. Llavae), 18 (8-12).
Dwarf nasturtium (Tropaeolum), 12-18 (12-18).
Begonia, Vernon, 12 (6-8).
Verbenas, 12 (6-12).
Phlox Drummondii, Dwarf, 6 (4-6).
White.—Salvia splendens, White-flowered, 36 (12-18).
Geraniums, 18-24 (12).
Lantana, Innocence, 18-24 (8-12).
Lantana, Queen Victoria, 24 (8-12).
Verbena, Snow Queen, 12 (6-12).
Ageratum, White, 9 (6-9).
Phlox Drummondii, Dwarf, 6 (4-6).
Pink.—Petunia, Countess of Ellesmere, 18 (8-12).
Lantana, 24 (8-12).
Verbena, Beauty of Oxford, 6 (8-12).
Phlox Drummondii, Dwarf, 6 (4-6).
Yellow.—Dwarf nasturtium, 12 (12-18).
Anthemis coronaria fl. pl., 12 (6-8).
Blue.—Ageratum Mexicanum, 12 (6-8).
Verbenas, 6 (6-12).
Heliotrope, Queen of Violets, 18 (12-18).
In Fig. 240 are shown a few designs suitable for carpet-beds. They are intended merely to be suggestive, not to be copied precisely. The simple forms and component parts of the more elaborate beds may be arranged into other designs. Likewise the arrangement of plants, which will be mentioned as suitable for making a given pattern, is only one of many possible combinations. The idea is merely to bring out the design distinctly. To accomplish this it is only necessary to use plants of contrasting color or growth. To illustrate how varied are the arrangements that may be used, and how easily different effects are produced with a single design, several different combinations of color for the bed No. 1 will be mentioned: