162 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



If the spaces between the clumps are kept smooth and clear they 

 heighten the effect and afford room also to walk or work among the 

 plants. 



Arrangements for Stature or Size. The arrangement of the groups 

 in relation to ea'ch other, with such wide interspacing as has been 

 commended, or the sowing of small patches in a large composite bed, 

 should always have regard to the height and spread of the bloom 

 intended. It need only be mentioned that, however successful a 

 flower bed might be in other respects, if through ignorance or care- 

 lessness the dwarf varieties were planted in the center, and the tall 

 ones at the circumference, the effect would be ridiculous. This, of 

 course, is true of all bedding plants, but in sowing the seed in the 

 beds in which they are to flower, it is much more likely to be over- 

 looked than in that of summer bedders which are planted out from 

 the pots or from seed boxes. 



Arrangement for Color Effects. A very good suggestion on this 

 point was given some time ago by Mr. Franklyn, formerly of Los 

 Angeles: "When colors are planted separately, and intended to form 

 a design however simple, always plant the individual colors in suffi- 

 ciently large masses, especially when the plants are inclined to be 

 tall, the stems weak and the flower heads large. Otherwise the bed 

 is liable to become a mixed one. Take for instance, the larger varieties 

 of Phlox, planted in narrow concentric circles. The weight of the 

 blooms will cause the stems to decline from the perpendicular; when 

 the pink will become mixed with the scarlet, the white with the pur- 

 ple, and the whole be hopelessly blurred; while if the zones were 

 wider, though the continuous edges might become more or less inter- 

 mixed, the general effect would be preserved. In arranging for color 

 effects, use solid colors. Flowers with spots, stripes, etc., are often 

 very pleasing when we have time to examine them individually; but 

 as effective bedding plants they are often a failure. What can be 

 richer than a mass of nearly black flowers brought into contrast 

 with golden or yellow; or what more chaste and pretty than a sky- 

 blue in company with a pure white?" 



Coincidence of Bloom. Mr. Franklyn continues: "Perhaps the 

 most important of these considerations is the one which relates to 

 a simultaneousness of flowering. Nothing can be more exasperating, 

 after having planned a gorgeous effect, than to see it produced in 

 installments, one part beginning to flower after another has ripened 

 its seed. In order to avoid such a calamity, it is advisable to plant 

 in the same bed, or group of beds, different species of the same genus 

 only, or, better still, different varieties of the same species. In the 

 latter case at any rate they will be sure to flower simultaneously. It 

 is obvious from the above remarks, that in producing the best results 

 with annuals, a previous acquaintance with them is very helpful." 



