150 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



already mentioned, and the coleus, most gorgeous and 

 many-colored of plants. Coleuses and geraniums look 

 well adjoining each other, while in the same relation 

 may come bouvardias and salvias, for a mingling of 

 some green color in the brilliant mass is often agreeable, 

 when well managed. One of the best plants for brilliant 

 effect in any bedding group is the acalypha, the brilliant 

 red or reddish-green leaves of which take the place of 

 some specially tall shrub, and make an effective key- 

 point of color in the general mass. 



It is, as already intimated, important to avoid all flat- 

 ness or monotony of sky-line, if this unusual though 

 entirely appropriate use of the word may be permitted 

 when discussing foliage-beds. In this w^ay cannas and 

 banana plants, and other tall and large-leaved species, 

 perform an excellent office in the bed, where they need 

 not necessarily be given the middle or single point of 

 effect, but may do excellent work in three or four places, 

 or even entirely in the background, as when a bed is 

 made along the side of a building. Like the shrub 

 group, there need be no formalism or monotony in 

 design, but these tree-like effects of cannas and musas, 

 or bananas, may be arranged on a clearly defined and 

 well-studied plan that will produce the utmost variety of 

 color and form and outline, and even a symmetry of its 

 own that is entirely harmonious and fitted to the ground 

 and environment, and yet not in any way set or stiff. 



