Spring Bedding
A style of bedding in which hardy plants play a conspicuous part, along with various bulbs. In late springs, it is not an unfrequent occurrence, when the same beds are to be occupied with the ordinary tender subjects for a summer display, that, just at the time for planting the latter, the spring flowers are about at their best; this must, therefore, be anticipated, if the same beds are to be used for both sets of plants, or Spring Bedding must be carried out in a separate part of the garden. Early-flowering species and varieties of Crocus, also Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Tulips, will be past flowering before the middle of May, the season when summer flower-beds are required; but their foliage will rarely have ripened by that time, and, consequently, if the bulbs are of material value for another season's display, it would not be advisable to disturb them. Hardy plants, for Spring Bedding, have to be prepared in a reserve garden or border, for transferring, some time during September and October, to the positions where they are intended to flower. Many that are well adapted for the purpose are only of annual duration, and these should be raised from seeds, sown in the reserve ground, not later than about the middle of July, the young plants being transplanted and grown on afterwards.
Amongst hardy annuals, used for Spring Bedding, Silene pendula, and its variety compacta, are indispensable. Other valuable plants for the purpose, mostly perennials, are the following; they are generally of very easy culture: Alyssum saxatile; Antennaria tomentosa, suitable for an edging; Arabis albida; Aubrietia, in variety; Daisy, several double forms; Iberis, perennial species; Myosotis dissitiflora, and other species of Forget-me-not; Phlox, dwarf forms or varieties of P. subulata, &c.; Polyanthus and hardy Primroses, in great variety; Pyrethrum (Golden Feather); hardy Sempervivums; early-flowering Violas and Wallflowers. In the last-named, the chief colours represented are blood-red and golden-yellow.