2o6 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



commoner types of bedding plants. Indeed, the system improved 

 so rapidly that its most relentless opponents admitted that it 

 had some redeeming qualities. I think, however, that the strongest 

 reason of all for its retention is its suitability to formal or geometrical 

 parterres. 



Most people have their own notions as to what constitutes per- 

 fection of colour in bedding arrangements. This perfection I have 

 not attained to, nor have I, perhaps, any decided preference for one 

 colour over another ; but I have very decided notions that the various 

 colours should be so completely commingled that one would be 

 puzzled to determine what tint predominates in the entire arrange- 

 ment. This rule I have followed for years, and have had a fair 

 amount of success in working it out. I am even still learning, my 

 latest lesson being that, if any colour at all may predominate, it is 

 "glaucous," that is, a light gray or whitish green. Of this colour the 

 eye never tires, perhaps because it is in harmony with the tints of the 

 landscape, and particularly of the lawn. To carry out my rule as ta 

 colour successfully, there are other rules which must be studied. 

 The first is that high colours, such as scarlet and yellow, must be 

 used in much less proportion than colours of a softer tint, for high 

 colours overweigh all others ; the second is that there must be no 

 violent transition from one colour to another — the contrast of colours 

 must as far as possible be avoided in favour of their gradual inter- 

 mingling or harmonising ; the third, that the most decided or high 

 colours, being the heaviest, ought to occupy the most central part of 

 the beds, or be distributed in due proportion over the entire garden, 

 so as to ensure an even balance throughout. Further, when dealing 

 with such colours, use them in necessary proportion, and no more, 

 and, if you err at all, err on the side of niggardliness. By close 

 adherence to these rules, I have for years had no difficulty in pro- 

 ducing a harmony of colour that has worn so well as to be as welcome 

 at the end of the season as at the beginning ; for the quieter the 

 colouring the more lasting is the enjoyment of it. And it is pleasant 

 to observe the great advance yearly made in favour of the quieter 

 tints — gaudiness, in bedding-out, having become the exception rather 

 than the rule. To fully carry out the ideal of colour here advocated, 

 a great variety of plants is needed, though not more than is generally 

 grown where bedding-out is practised to any extent. But there is 

 colour 2iX\d colour ; and those who cannot have elaborate designs and 

 variety in colour, may have an equivalent in graceful foliage and 

 beautiful tinted shrubs of hues varying from deep green to bright 

 yellow, and in habit tapering, weeping, or feathery. Cypresses, 

 Yews, Yuccas, and many others, not only associate well with all kinds 

 of bedding plants, but with the various kinds of hardy Sedums 



