FOLIAGE PLANTS FOR GROUPING 45 



the too rigid commonplace of ordinary daily life, and applies 

 only to the drawing-room annexe, which is always in evidence. 

 The refreshment to mind and eye given by the varied plant 

 pictures which a skilful hand is able to arrange can scarcely 

 be told in words, but if one thinks of the ordinary greenhouse 

 stage, with its serried ranks of flowering plants, flanked by 

 brilliantly coloured Coleus and other variegated leafage, with 

 here and there an Asparagus or Fern by way of foil, the 

 difference may very readily be imagined. It has been said 

 with reason that two-thirds of the available space in a green- 

 house might well be allotted to flowerless plants. But even 

 with greenery the art of harmonious grouping depends in a 

 great measure on the quick discrimination between concord 

 and contrast. Sometimes the one, sometimes the other will 

 give the best effect ; but it is a mistake to think that foliage 

 of any kind will accord with every flower. The trained eye 

 will detect in a moment the want of harmony, and hence the 

 importance of having a good stock of the most varied greenery 

 to choose from. It may be said in passing that one distinct 

 advantage of the cold house system is that a much greater 

 variety can be grown, as foliage plants not in use or any that 

 are out of flower can be transferred to outdoor quarters or 

 simple garden frames instead of either taking up precious room 

 or perishing outright for lack of suitable accommodation. 



For all purposes of grouping, then, greenery being indis- 

 pensable, it will be well to make a note under the two heads 

 lately defined of hardy and half-hardy plants of some of the 

 most suitable for cold house culture. 



The fashion of the day being to employ Palms of many 

 kinds for decorative purposes, it is as well, perhaps, that we 

 can, with confidence, place the two Fan Palms, Chamaerops 

 excelsa and C. humilis, on the hardy list. They are much 

 alike in general appearance, but the first-named is perhaps 

 the best. It is a Chinese species, and is often met with 



