Shrubs, Hedges, and Hardy Climbers 93 



baceous plants. They are especially adapted to small 

 places, and with a background of low trees or shrubs some 

 very beautiful pictures can be formed. As with shrubs 

 and trees, some kinds require special conditions of soil and 

 exposure to be grown successfully, while others succeed on a 

 great variety of soils. Some of them will grow a long time 

 in one place without renewal of soil, but most of them need 

 dividing and transplanting every three or four years to insure 

 the most vigorous growth and the best flowers. 



They may be arranged in groups of the same kind, or in 

 mixed groups, as may be desired, with good effect; but on 

 large places generous groups of one kind like paeonias, 

 phloxes, etc., with striking characteristics will be the most 

 satisfactory, while on small places the mixed arrangement 

 may, perhaps, give the most pleasure. 



Tender Foliage or Flowering Plants * 



BEDDING PLANTS 



For many years past it has been the fashion to grow, 

 more or less largely, brilliantly colored foliage or flowering 

 plants in large masses; and while the pleasure obtained by 

 the growth and study of these plants is often very great, 

 the effect produced is sometimes not quite in keeping with 

 the quiet beauty of the refined home. It often partakes 

 more of the nature of "loud dress," much avoided by all 

 people of good taste. Gaudy pattern-beds covering large 

 areas standing out conspicuously on the lawn with nothing 

 to cause a blending of color cannot be considered in good 

 taste, but if placed so that more moderate colors grouped 

 near may tone down their intensity they may not be objec- 

 tionable. 



Small groups of the more brilliantly colored foliage-plants 

 * See list of bedding-plants on page 295. 



