The mesembryanthemum, usually called ice-plant, is one of the most
effective border plants. Nothing can be prettier around a small bed than
a thick edging of these sparkling rich green plants, and yet I have never
seen it used in this manner except in my own garden. The plants grow
larger, more robust, coarser perhaps, when used in this way, but they
form an unbroken edge of great richness. Sow the seeds in the house and
transplant when danger of frost is over; shade for a few days from sun
and wind, and do not let the ground dry out about the roots until the
plants have started into growth again; after that an occasional watering
is all they require. Treated in this fashion they grow riotously and
yield a wealth of beautiful, cool looking foliage for bouquets and all
kinds of cut flower work, which has the additional merit of keeping fresh
a long time even under unfavorable circumstances. One can pick long
sprays of this pretty greenery without it being missed from the plants in
the least. A low glass dish filled with ice-plant, the sprays drooping
over the edges gracefully, and a few pale pink flowers peeping out
between the leaves, is an exceedingly pretty center-piece for the dinner
table. In putting out the plants set them about ten inches apart.