BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL PLANTS. 153 



should however be taken to give the different species a situa- 

 tion suitable for them.* Hydrangeas, Primulas, Daisies, 

 Oleanders, Cammelias, China Roses, and half hardy plants 

 in general, thrive best in a moderately shaded situation. 

 Geraniums, Jasmines, Helotropes &c., may be plunged in a 

 sunny situation, provided they be regularly supplied with 

 water. Many species planted for ornament in the flower 



* In some countries, the wealthy have changeable flower gardens; 

 the principal of which consists in the power of changing its production 

 at pleasure, so that whenever any plant or group of plants, begin to 

 decay, they can be removed, and their places supplied by others coming 

 into bloom. To admit this, a large" reserve-nursery is requisite, in which 

 the plants must be kept in pots and removed and plunged in the borders 

 as wanted. Sir W. Chambers informs us that the Chinese excel in this 

 mode of gardening ; and that he has known a mand rin (or noble ) have 

 the who'u furniture and style of his parterre changed in a single night, 

 so as next morning to present not only a different description of flowers, 

 shrubs, and dwarf trees, but a different arrangement of the beds and 

 compartments. Something of the ^ame kind is practised in the gardens 

 of the Tuilleries, in Paris ; m some of the imperial gardens at Petersburg, 

 and in the vice-royal gardens at Monza Gardens of this description 

 admit of a very perfect arrangement of the flowers, whether in the 

 mingled manner, in select groups, or according to the natural method. 

 It is only with such resources that a flower-gardener can " paint his 

 way," as Sir W. Chambers says the Chinese artists do, "not scattering 

 their flowers indiscriminately about their borders, but disposing of them 

 with great circumspection along the skirts of the plantations, or other 

 places where flowers are to be introduced. They reject all that are of a 

 straggling growth of harsh colors and poor foliage, choosing only such 

 as are of some duration, grow either large or in clusters, are of beautiful 

 forms, well leaved, and of tints that harmonize with the greens that sur- 

 round them They avoid all sudden transitions, both with regard to 

 dimension and colour, rising gradually from the smallest flowers to those 

 of the boldest growth; and varying their tints, by easy gradations, from 

 white, straw-colour, purple, and incarnate, to the deepest blue?, and most 

 brilliant crimsons and scarlets. They frequently blend several roots 

 together, whose leaves and flowers unite, and compos* 3 one rich harmo- 

 nious mass ; such as the white and purple candytuft, larkspurs, and 

 mallows of various colours, double poppies lupins, primroses, pinks, and 

 carnations : with many more of which the forms and'colours accord with 

 each other ; and the same method they use with flowering shrubs, blend- 

 ing white, red, and variegated roses together, purple and white lilacs, 

 yellow and white jasmines, altheas of various sorts, and as many others 

 as they can with any propriety unite. By these mixtures they increase 

 considerably the variety and beauty of their compartments. In their 

 large plantations, the flowers generally grow in the natural ground; but 

 in flower-gardens, and all other parts that are highly kept, they are in. 

 pots buried in the ground, which, as fast as the bloom goes off. are 

 removed and others are brought to supply their places ; so that there is 

 a constant succession for almost every mouth in the year ; and the 

 flowers are never seen but in the height of their beauty." London's 

 Encyclopaedia of Gardening, 



