VIII. 

 ON THE PROPER USE OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



[y HILE the correct grouping of trees and shrubs 

 is of the utmost importance, the lesser de- 

 tails, of which the herbaceous plants form 

 important parts, must not be ignored. In a 

 previous chapter I have already hinted at the 

 proper use of woodland flowers; but not only the wood- 

 land every field, every sea-shore and meadow, bogs, river- 

 sides, and rocks all have their own characteristic flora, which 

 it is useless or undesirable to plant except under natural 

 conditions. 



For our purpose it is best to consider severally the 

 proper use of each of these classes of herbaceous plants, 

 and to see under what conditions they may be naturalized 

 in parks and gardens: 



1. Woodland Flowers. Sylvan plants generally delight 

 in more or less shady positions, and in comparatively 

 light and moist soil, chiefly consisting of decayed leaves. 

 Some grow in scattered masses covering the whole expanse 

 of a wood with leaves and flowers. Among these are the 

 white anemone and the spring beauty. Others form well- 



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