FILLING IN WITH COLOURS 281 



another, and neither will be regretted among the 

 kaleidoscopic changes of the months. As the flow- 

 ers of the early, low-growing sorts fade and wither 

 something must be ready to take up the burden of 

 bloom; and the spent plant, if it has a tendency to 

 shabbiness, should be screened and shielded by its 

 nearest neighbours. Thus will the ground be hid- 

 den from early May, and the symmetry and bal- 

 ance of the garden, both in regard to colour and 

 shape, be preserved throughout the season. The 

 luxuriance and wildness of growth should become 

 intensified day by day until the climax is realized 

 in a glorious abandon of Phlox and Lily and 

 Dahlia, as August wanes. 



No colour schemes should be followed in a garden 

 of this size, for they are delusive and unsatisfac- 

 tory; and there should be no violent contrasts, no 

 exotic shapes introduced with which to obtain bril- 

 liant effects. A few flowers will supply all the 

 colour and character that are needed, and will be 

 inexpensive to establish; once started the care and 

 labour required will be small. 



Although a flower garden should be given over 

 in the main to flowers, it is a good plan to plant 



