PLANTING 275 



hindrance from its neighbours. This does not 

 imply a starved bed or border, only that, 

 armed with the knowledge of the habit of each 

 plant, the gardener allots it just sufficient 

 room to grow centrifugally without check from 

 its companions. Thus the taller plants may 

 be separated by others of more moderate 

 growth, and the former will have space above 

 to expand their foliage unhindered. 



Again, with a knowledge of plant habit we 

 may associate bushy plants with those which 

 tend to legginess — to use a term well known 

 to the gardening fraternity — and thereby 

 conceal the uninteresting view of a sheaf of 

 bare stalks. Plants which throw up long 

 narrow spikes of flower may keep company 

 with others having a tufted habit, to their 

 mutual advantage in the general effect. Those 

 with silvery, glaucous, or bronze foliage may 

 be placed where they will reinforce others 

 whose flowers are best set off by contrast with 

 these special kinds of foliage. Shrubs and 

 plants which flower in advance of their leaves 

 may be supported by evergreen or early- 

 leafing plants. Again, we may use the bold- 

 foliaged plant for association with those 



