230 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



to do so throughout the whole summer and autumn, was a pleasure 

 to see. The drawing was made about the end of September, shortly 

 after some heavy storms which tore the Musa a little, but the effect 

 remained excellent till October. 



YUCCAS IN GROUPS. Wherever space can be afforded, hardy 

 Yuccas should be grown, for few hardy plants are so distinct in 

 foliage and manner of growth ; but they appear to best advantage 

 arranged in bold groups, near trees and shrubs, and forming a har- 

 monious contrast to them. Perhaps the best situation is a sloping 

 ground fully exposed to the mid-day sun, and backed by evergreens. 

 If allowed space for development, they will every year add beauty 

 to the place. The handsome spikes of their large cream-coloured 

 flowers are extremely effective, especially when relieved by a back- 

 ground of verdure. Yuccas like a well-drained soil, and thrive on a 

 subsoil of pure chalk, and they delight in full exposure to the sun, 

 and enjoy shelter from rough winds. Hence the advisability of plant- 

 ing them near trees or shrubs. 



In grouping Yuccas, a better effect is obtained if some of the 

 specimens have the head of their foliage from 3 feet to 6 feet 

 above the soil. These tall plants should not, however, be placed in 

 a back line, but some should be allowed here and there to advance 

 into the foreground, some of the smaller specimens nestling at 

 their feet. The effect of a group thus arranged charms by its 

 irregularity and quaint beauty. 



Among the more tender plants, we must choose such as grow 

 healthily in sheltered places in the warmer parts of England. The 

 kinds with stout evergreen foliage, such as the New Zealand Flax 

 and the hardier Dracaenas, will be as effective here as they are 

 around London and Paris, and to them the northern gardener should 

 direct his attention. Even if it were possible in all parts to cultivate 

 the softer-growing kinds to the same perfection as in the south of 

 England, it would not be always desirable, as they cannot be used 

 indoors in winter. The best are the many evergreen plants that stand 

 out in summer without injury, and may be transferred to the con- 

 servatory in autumn, to produce through the cold months as fine an 

 effect as in the flower garden in summer. One kind of arrangement 

 in particular must be guarded against. I mean the geometro-pictur- 

 esque one, which is seen in some parts of the London parks devoted 

 to sub-tropical gardening. The plants are often of the finest kinds 

 and in the most robust health, and all the materials for the best 

 results are abundant ; yet the result is not artistic, owing to the 

 needless formality of the beds and the heaping together of many 

 specimens of one kind in long masses straight or twisting, with 

 high raised edges of hard-beaten soil. 



The first and the last word to say about form is, that we should 



