New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-05
FOR A HOME ROOF GARDEN
HINTS AS TO PLANTS THAT THRIVE AND
ARE PRETTY.
RUN BOX BED EIGHTEEN INCHES WIDE,
AROUND YOUR RoOF-THE PROPER FUR

stuny rooms lend themselves to the home roof
garden, which be arranged with a little in
genuity and without much expense. Inc chief re-
qurement for the garden is OF course. the box bed
running all around the edge Of the roof. II should
be fifteen eighteen inches wide and about foot
deep TO accommodate the low Towering plants and
trailing and climbing vines Care should be taken
in the selection OF plants for the roof garden that
they OF the kind that will not outgrow their box
bed before the season is over Those that have the
greatest amount OF plant and flowers and the
smallest amount of root are best. Another i'm
portant thing to consider is the large exposure TO
the that flowers the roof bound 70 get
Therefore. such plants volets. for instance. are
not practicable. they dry up in a too sunny
place.
To give light to the bank Of flowers in the bed
plant mixed sweet peas along the outer edge. train
ing them they grow upon wire tres placed at
the back for this purpose. Jacobs ladder and as
paragus vine also suited to this part Of the
arrangement
Among the small plants margolds. in their many
shades Of yellow and red pretty and appro-
pirate. They require plenty Of sun, so will thrive
well on the roof The nasturtium is another flower
well suited 10 a sunny existence Its range OF
color very similar TO the marigold's. is still more
varied. English primroses come in all the colors
Of the rainbow and are a cheerful addition TO any
garden. II the soil is rich the popular aster will
thrive all right. in the close quarters OF the
box bed. Dwarf phlox is about the only variety Of
that plant which is suited the roof garden.
generous sprnkling Of geraniums will repay
for the planting. They grow easily.
NOOK OF FORGETME-NOTs.
Romantic forget-me-nots II shaded somewhat
during the heat OF the day and watered regularly
night, will grow properly 1t is best OF course
TO put them in little nook by themselves. Mign-
onette seed should be planted wide apart. and the
plant when grown should often be thinned out
Candytuft has pretty. white feathery flower. and
he about n high does
larkspur. The SNOWFALL daisy is. as the in
dcates. round and full. For gorgeous red color
touch the poppy Is leading hower. Modest little
heliotrope plants can be tucked in here and there
with advantage in the garden.
The popular spicy carnation be grown
from either seeds or slips. Begonias seldom grow
20 very large plants and safe TO lay in the
small bed. Their waxlike flowers and their leaves
make them unique The old-fashioned sweet-will-
liam should have place in the garden. Verbenas
flower well. and vivid in color 10 be i'm
portant Cnerartas are small. well-nowerfng
plants, very popular just account Of the
great variety OF purple shades in their blooms.
Old-fashoned four-o clocks. that take nap every
day AT the hour for which they named
pretty as long as they stay awake. The lady
slipper is a delicate and curious flower and about
the right sized plant for the hotbed.
OTHER GOOD PLANTS.
BIuebelIs need a good deal Of moisture and shnde
10 enable them to thrive on the roof. Dutchmans
breeches has a funny little flower. Myrtle vine
can be allowed to hang down from the box bed In
an effective mass. Its blue starlike flower is a
beautiful contrast to its dark green leaves. Small
rose bushes might be made TO accommodate them
selves TO the narrow limits OF the roof garden:
The crimson rambler. or japanese rose vine. would
discovered in Japan by an Englishman. who took
clippings home with him 1t thrived moderately
well in English SOIL but has done much better In
America It's roses are small and without odor,
but grow in dig clusters. and are OF beautiful
For soft neutral background for bright Powered
p pants rroW Very easily The hower that goes
variously by the names ragged robin corn flower
fume that makes It welcome anywhere Genestas
well from sseds and have Hoys Rs5y pale yell
stalk and has great variety Of colors In its
II besides the Towering plants pretty fancy
grasses are desired. there are plenty from which
with the slightest breeze suggesting GOODNESS even
when there isn't any.
generally is supplemented by potted palms, ny
drangeas. lemon and orange trees and mountain
ing down these plants until they are quite man
ageable in small spaces.
PROPER FURNITURE.
While the question Of flowers is. Of course. hrst
in considering the makeup OF roof garden. that
Of the furniture needed to make IT complete is
ond in Importance. To do away with the disa-
greeable rafting by contact with the tin roof,
spread mating over II big enough to
cover all the space needed 10 walk Pretty
green and ecru mating can be obtained al small
price little rain won't hurt II, but II Is better
TO have the rug made TO be easily lifted and
taken into the house. An awning OF canvas. bam-
boo or cane is an easy matter 20 arrange. The /
hammock should be In evidence In every we'll /
regulated roof garden.
A pretty wicker lunch table would be essential 10
a cosey and hosptable bower on the roof The
newest OF the lunch tables are painted green. and
are furnished with innumerable small devices In
the way OF shelves and racks underneath 20 hold '
dishes and provisions. Wicker "cosey corner +
chairs suggest schemes for roof garden furnishing
One more odd than pretty is the sun chair. which
has a big canopy attachment TO keep on the
To the Ingenious stay-at-homes during the sum-
rner a pretty roof garden offers temptations for
garden party Lit up with japanese lanterns. the /
place can be converted into little fairyland at .
night -
City cooks need not be without kitchen garden /
and the small trouble 1t takes 20 make one is amply
repaid The box bed for this purpose should have /
a pipe for drainage The bottom OF the bed should /
consist OF a layer OF syster-shells about two inches
deep On top OF this goes good wood earth into
which has mixed some sand to make II light.
Among the most necessary OF the Kitchen plants T
are parsley and mint The bed, II filled with these
two only, would be useful. Tarragon also be
grown in this way. Borage, for Undressing pur-
poses will thrive all right In a small bed. Chives. /
small odorless onions, not always obtainable when
needed can be readily cultivated in the little gar
den. Sweet marjoram. thyme and sage for soups