34 



example, Oriental poppies might well find a place next to some of the 

 Tritomas (Kniphofias) of similar colour. 



A progression of colour in a mixed border, for example, might begin 

 with strong blues, light and dark, grouped with white and pale yellow, 

 passing on to pink ; then to rose colour, crimson, and the strongest 

 scarlet, leading to orange and bright yellow. A paler yellow followed 

 by white would distantly connect the warm colours with the lilacs 

 and purples, and a colder white would combine them pleasantly 

 with low-growing and cool-coloured leaves. 



Warm colours are not difficult to place ; scarlet, crimson, pink, 

 orange, and yellow are easily arranged so as to pass agreeabty from 

 one to the other. Purple and lilac group well together, but are best 

 kept well away from red and pink ; they do well with the colder 

 whites, but are seen at their best when surrounded or carpeted with 

 grey-white foliage ; but if it be desired to pass from a group of warm 

 colour to purple and lilac, a good breadth of pale yellow or warm 

 white may be interposed. 



White is a colour needing consideration. Frequent repetition 

 of white patches is not pleasant. It is generally found that one 

 or two masses or groups of white-flowered plants are sufficient from 

 one point of view in a border. 



Blue is best approached by delicate contrasts of warm whites 

 and pale yellows, such as Oenothera Lamarckiana, but rather avoiding 

 the direct opposition of a strong blue and full yellow. In the sunniest 

 places of the border warm colours are best prominent, as sunlight 

 appears to aid in blending them together. The shady corners, on 

 the other hand, seem best suited for the cooler and more delicate 

 shades. 



ARRANGEMENT (SEE PLAN, p. 30) AND CULTURAL NOTES 

 ON A FEW HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS. 



In the following, when rows are mentioned, it is only meaning 

 roughly, so as to distinguish the positions of the various clumps or 

 plants as relative to one another. 



No border, of course, could look either natural or beautiful if the 

 plants were arranged in set rows. The proposed border is 18 feet 

 wide (and length of course as desired), thus allowing for at least six 

 fairly large clumps, if desired, from back to front or vice versa. 



The majority, if not all, of the plants are examples selected from 

 Wisley Gardens. 



As examples for the back row of the border the following would be 

 suitable : 



Aster var. 'Climax.' A fine variety, not long introduced, with 

 almost exceptionally large blossoms, blue in colour, and appearing 

 from September onwards, attaining a height of 6 feet. Asters are 

 usually propagated in spring by means of the growths that spring up 

 round the old plant. These are inserted in a sandy compost in a cool 

 frame, and soon root if kept shaded and sprinkled overhead. 



