16 HARDY FLOWERS. 



And what might not be done with these and the like by making 1 

 mixed groups, or letting each plant stand distinct upon the grass^ 

 . perfectly isolated in its beauty ! 



Let me again try to illustrate the idea simply. Take an important 

 spot in a pleasure-ground a sweep of grass in face of a shrubbery 

 and see what can be done with it by means of these isolated plants. 

 If, instead of leaving it in the bald state in which it is often found, 

 we try to place distinct things in an isolated way upon the grass, 

 the margin of shrubbery will be quite softened, and a new and 

 charming feature added to the garden. 



If one who knew many plants were arranging them, and had a 

 large stock to select from, he might have no end of fine effects. In the 

 case of the smaller things, as Yucca filamentosa and the variegated 

 Arundo, four or five good plants would be used to form an effective 

 tuft, and, generally speaking, everything should be perfectly distinct 

 and isolated, so that a person could freely move about amongst the 

 plants without touching them. In addition to such arrangements, 

 two or three individuals of a species might be placed here and there 

 upon the grass with the best effect. For example, there is at present 

 in our nurseries a great Japanese Polygonum (P. cuspidatum), which 

 has never as yet been used with much effect in the garden. If any- 

 body will select some open grassy spot in a pleasure-garden, or 

 grassy glade near a wood -some spot considered unworthy of 

 attention 'as regards ornamenting it and plant a group of three 

 plants of Polygonum cuspidatum, leaving fifteen feet or so between the 

 stools, a distinct aspect of vegetation will be the result. The plant 

 is herbaceous, and will spring up every year to a heig'ht of from six 

 feet to eight feet if planted well ; it has a graceful arching habit in 

 the upper branches, and is covered with a profusion of small bunches 

 of pale flowers in autumn. It is needless to multiply examples j the 

 plan is capable of infinite variation, and on that account alone 

 isolation should be welcome to all true gardeners. But the best way 

 to show the beauty of any really fine and distinct hardy plant, is to 

 isolate it on the turf, shaven or unshaven. It is a peculiarly useful 

 method for the exquisitely graceful umbelliferous plants, many of 

 which lose their leaves before the heats of summer are past. When 

 planted in an isolated manner they are little missed when they fade 

 away from before the margin of a shrubbery, whereas if grouped 

 with subjects the foliage of which is more permanent, awkward 

 gaps are left when they fade away. 



