io The Flower Garden [Chapter 



moisture and sunshine must determine the flowers to 

 occupy them. If you are fortunate enough to have a 

 corner low, damp and shaded in the afternoon, that 

 is the place to set out the beautiful Japanese Iris, 

 Cypripedium acaule and other moisture-loving plants, 

 while the Gladiolus may be given a prominent 

 place in full sunshine. Asters and other flowers that 

 do not bloom until fall should have a less conspicuous 

 place; they are so showy that they will not fail to 

 attract attention, wherever they may be planted. 

 Pansies and other low-growing plants should be set 

 out in the bed next the lawn. The general effect is 

 finer when only one kind of flower is grown in a bed, 

 but when two or more varieties of flowers, harmonis- 

 ing in colour, are grown together, the tallest must be 

 placed in the centre and the others grouped according 

 to height. Various plants may be used as edgings, 

 due consideration being given to the plants which are 

 to fill the beds. 



A mass of one kind and colour is more effective than 

 a mixed bed. The beginner will find that the per- 

 centage of success is greater in growing a large num- 

 ber of one kind, all requiring the same conditions of 

 soil, moisture and sunlight, than in trying to force 

 plants of widely different habits to grow under the 

 same conditions. Hardy perennials, however, not 

 many of which deserve an entire bed, do very well 

 with several varieties in the same long bed or border, 

 and may be so grouped as to give a succession of 



