May 25, 2001, Newsletter Issue #27: Patriotic Victorian Annual Bedding

Tip of the Week

Fly The Flag: An Authentic Victorian Bedding Scheme.
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For a patriotic display that will look excellent for the 4th of July celebrations, (ironically originally designed to use The colours of the Union Jack!!), plant within the next few weeks.

Dot Plants
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To add height to the bed, plant the red flowered , crimson foliaged Lobelia cardinales "Queen Victoria." Space the plants widely throughout the bed at around 3 ft apart.

Main Planting
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For the spaces in-between the dot plants, the bright scarlet Pelargonium, (Geranium) "Paul Crampel" is planted alternately with the silver/ white foliage plant Centaurea candissima. These should be spaced 1 ft apart.

Edging
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Around the edge of the bed plant the white flowered, Matricaria "Silver Ball" at around 8" apart.
In front of this, alternately plant Alyssum "Little Dorrit" (white) and Lobelia "Mrs Clibran, (Blue with a white eye) Plant 4" apart.

Substitutions
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All of the varieties listed are old, but you can substitute for modern varieties if authenticity is not a priority or where you cannot get the old types. The overall effect will be the same. Please see below my list of suggested, more easily obtained bedding annuals you could use

Antique Variety Suggested Equivalent

Lobelia "Queen Victoria" : Lobelia "Fan Scarlet"
Pelargonium "Paul Crampel" : Any modern Scarlet type.
Centaurea candissima : Cineraria "Silver Dust"
Matricaria "Silver Ball" : Any white Ageratum
Alyssum "Little Dorrit" : Alyssum "Snow Crystals"
Lobelia "Mrs Clibran" : Lobelia "Mrs Clibran Improved"

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