AUGUST. 235 



should be large enough to hold sufficient soil to keep the plantis in 

 health ; and the pedestals on which they are mounted should be strictly 

 in keeping with the character of the vase. We prefer vases rather large 

 than the reverse, for we must enter our protest against the miserable 

 dished-up plants which are often seen struggling for existence, for want 

 of water and earth to grow in. 



But it is not solely for the terrace or formal garden that vases are 

 appropriate ; there are many situations in scenery purely English (or 

 in the natural style) where vases may be introduced with the happiest 

 effect ; for instance, at the junction of gravel walks, or where these latter 

 are compelled to be terminated abruptly, a vase or seat affords a suit- 

 able excuse. The angles formed by the sudden sweep of a walk, and 

 corners not otherwise filled up and backed by masses of planting are 

 positions which just occur to me, as affording sites for vases in natural 

 scenery where their introduction will not offend the eye of taste. On 

 the contrary, they should never be placed in open parts of the lawn, 

 where their isolation from architectural accompaniments would be 

 manifest, and where, besides, masonry in any form would interfere with 

 repose and breadth, both essential features in this style of gardening. It 

 follows, then, that in natural scenery either real or imitated, vases 

 should be placed in immediate connection with gravel walks, which 

 will form a kind of base for them, or at no great distance therefrom ; 

 or only where their employment as objects to fill up otherwise vacant 

 places affords a reason for deviating from the general rule ; and on no 

 account should they be placed as single objects on lawns unconnected 

 either with masonry or walks. 



Having given my ideas on situation, allow me to point out what I 

 consider the most suitable plants for filling them. On this point much 

 misconception exists, and I know gardeners are oflen compelled to fill 

 vases, &c., with plants by no means the most eligible for the purpose ; 

 but as custom has made it the law, I merely notice it for the purpose 

 of pointing out what I consider would be an improvement on the 

 prevailing practice of merely filling then with Scarlet Geraniums, 

 and which, I admit, produce a blaze of bloom, but which in point of 

 grace and elegance must yield to many others. 



Considering a vase, when tastefully planted, as one of the most 

 graceful and classic objects in the flower garden, we should select such 

 plants which, from their habit of growth, will harmonise best with the 

 situation they are to fill. Nor does it require very expensive plants to 

 create such a beautiful combination of form (if not of colour), having 

 seen a vase filled with common British Ferns produce a most charming 

 effect ; and those who gi'ow exotic Ferns will readily perceive what 

 elegant groups they would make if transferred to a vase. But we must 

 try and see if there is nothing else that will answer our purpose. 

 First, there is a plant which myself and others grow for this purpose, 

 but which nevertheless is not commonly seen, — Agapanthus umbellatus, 

 — the blue African Lily, and its allies. Good plants of these transferred 

 to vases in May, and supplied well with water (for the plant is a 

 sub-aquatic), form fine objects. Their sword-like leaves bend grace- 

 fully over the rim of the vase, and, crowned with an umbel of bright 



