New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29
FLOWER BEDS ~ CENTRAL PARK.

A BLAZE OF GORGEOUS COLoR-NEW METHODS
OF PLANTING AND TRIMMING
In these late September days the flower beds
about the arsenal in Central Park have reached'the
zenith OF their beauty. The scarlet spikes OF inc
salvias never famed vividly as now. the broad
leafed acalyphas riots in tropical protnsioh' inc
coral OF the begonas the rich red and green 'of
the geran!ums were more luxuriant ana tne
mats OF dusty miller gleam as X frosted, supply
ing the neutral lightness needed amid SO rnuch
color.
There is a note Of regret. almost or sadness
about all this beauty because the counsefs OF the
wise admonsh that there never was elimination o'
perfection that decadence did not follow IN us
train. The visitor to the Park enjoys the flower
pageant almost more than in the early summer
the pleasure Is rendered keener by the knowledge
that the frost blight will soon play havoc Win
bud and leaf.
This flower strip about the arsenal is prac-
teal and eloquent protest against formal oedding'
eloquent because OF its beauty, practical because
It demonstrates so well what can be done by de-
parting from long ablshed rules Of gardening
and following the irreguary regular plan OF Nature
herself The bedding has been treated In a natural
and artistic way. with a view to blend and con-
trast both form and coloring In such manner IS
to surprise and delight the beholier In hanare er
design ss o se eops.
and woodland dell. not the geometricaliy exact
pattern that suggests a wall paper design.
There Is something about the palm ana the Gamma
that makes them specially effective planted against
carved cut stone masses az bickground. Inc
brick wall OF the arsenal covered with japanese
Ivy. supplies this desirable background Directy
against the building grows mass OF cannas rom
three to four feet wide. N front or these comes
a band OF acalyphas and other plants OF similar
size. and the outer verge for about two feet w
width centauras a!ternantheras and other Small
flowers are employed
I'VE have tried TO make more than mere psrai ,i
lines OF ribbon bedding In this treatment sah
Samuel Parsons. the superintendent OF the PARK
THE front line ~ the cannas wayers IN ana OUT
but actually crosses the band IN 'front.' or II.
Then you will notice that the acalyphas break inc
line Of their band at frequent intervals 1uttny out
clear across the border and even dropping single
plant the open turf In front. There is not
stn precise line preserved In the treatment, put
the flowers group themselves naturally and artisr-
cally and the outline IL broken into little capes
and peninsulas juttlng out into the sea or turf
Clipping or trimming bed OF coleus into prim'
round or oval shape may look neat and workman.
like but Il destroys the individual character or the
plant and II plainly inartistic.
There has been q reform In the use OF cut
flowers. and now let there be a reform In the ar.
rangement OF bedding plants No one now thinks
of sending to a lady a heart constructed OF white
carnations pierced with an arrow OF crimson ones.
Floral designs Initiating adde's, bells and pieces OF
furniture have given Place 70 simpler aud mora
natural arrangements. similar change Is coming
In the treatment OF pleasure grounds.