28 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
every summer for a number of years and we find it not only 
a source of a great deal of pleasure to our customers and our- 
selves, but a practical means of advertising as well. 
In arranging to employ window boxes, special attention 
should be given to the amount of sunshine they will receive, 
as upon this factor will depend the kinds of plants that may 
be used. Although all plants require light, some will grow 
even on the north side of buildings, especially if not also in 
the shadow of east and west walls. The arrangement of the 
boxes should be in harmony with the plan of the building, 
which means, of course, that the decorations should fit into 
the architectural scheme. This requires both that the loca- 
tions of the boxes shall be suitable and that the composition 
shall be in scale with the building. On a large building 
it is often necessary, therefore, to group or mass the boxes, 
while on a small structure such an arrangement would be 
out of place. It is easy to overdo the use of certain con- 
spicuous plants like those of trailing habit, and many boxes 
are often described as “weepy,” due to the great profusion of 
hanging vines. The lines of most buildings are strong and 
upright, so that a certain sturdiness and uprightness of plants 
will often fit them better. 
Tn filling the boxes, good taste must, in general, dictate 
in the matter of plants employed, at least as regards color, 
form, and size. These features, however, may well be left to 
the judgment of a competent florist, who in all cases should be 
given information regarding the exposure and the amount of 
light or shade which the boxes must endure. With respect to 
color it should be said that too great a variety should not be 
employed in any mixture, because’ this will not be as effective 
as a few well-chosen tones. Red, purple, or scarlet, suitable 
against light stone or stucco, should not be used against a 
red brick building. In the last-mentioned situation such 
—— colors as blues, yellows, and whites are usually 
better, and as much green as possible should be used to form 
the background and the framework for the flowers. Flower- 
ing plants should possess the qualities of rapid development, 
and profuseness and continuity of bloom. They will thrive 
only in sunny locations, with the exception of pansies, which 
are able to endure shade. In order to keep up a succession of 
bloom, the boxes may be filled in the spring with pansies 
and English daisies; these may be followed by flowering and 
foliage plants lasting throughout the summer, those in the 
following lists being recommended: 
aor = wich NAL Te a sie Seam 3 
