Embellishments 129 



and other annuals, and a dozen choree double dahlias, and 

 some trailing verbenas, a limited spot, of a few yards in 

 diameter, may be made productive of more enjoyment, so 

 far as regards a continued display of llowers, than ten times 

 that space, planted, as we often see flower-gardens here, 

 with a heterogeneous mixture of everything the possessor 

 can lay his hands on, or crowd within the inclosure. 



The mingled flower-garden, as it is termed, is by far the 

 most common mode of arrangement in this country, though 

 it is seldom well effected. The object in this is to dispose 

 the plants in the beds in such a manner, that while there 

 is no predominance of bloom in any one portion of the beds 

 there shall be a general admixture of colors and blossoms 

 throughout the entire garden during the whole season of 

 growth. 



To promote this, the more showy plants should be often 

 repeated in different parts of the garden, or even the same 

 parterre when large, the less beautiful sorts being suffered 

 to occupy but moderate space. The smallest plants should 

 be nearest the walk, those a little taller behind them, and 

 the largest should be furthest from the eye, at the back of 

 the border, when the latter is seen from one side only, or 

 in the centre, if the bed be viewed from both sides. A 

 neglect of this simple rule will not only give the beds, when 

 the plants are full grown, a confused look, but the beauty 

 of the humbler and more delicate plants will be lost amid 

 the tall thick branches of sturdier plants, or removed so 

 far from the spectator in the walks, as to be overlooked. 



Considerable experience is necessary to arrange even a 

 moderate number of plants in accordance with these rules. 

 To perform it successfully, some knowledge of the habits 

 of the plants is an important requisite; their height, time 

 of flowering, and the colors of their blossoms. When a 

 gardener, or an amateur, is perfectly informed on these 

 points, he can take a given number of plants of different 

 species, make a plan of the bed or all the beds of a flower 

 garden upon paper, and designate the particular situation 

 of each species. 



