SUBUKBAN KESIDENCES. 59 



uaiTower than borders of turf, lest the force of contrast should be too great for the general 

 effect. 



11. "When borders of box or other plants are employed to form margins to flower-beds 

 on tui-f, they ought to be of several times the breadth wMch they are when employed to 

 separate walks from gravel, in order to give them a distinctive character, and to produce 

 sufficient force of effect to justify their use. Nothing looks worse than a narrow edging of 

 box, surroimdiug a bed on tm-f ; the narrow edge of box, appearing, iu tliat situation, to be 

 quite superfluous ; and, its colour not contrasting with that of the grass, it has a dead dull 

 appearance. 



12. Where beds are smTounded by gravel walks, and edged with box, the latter ought 

 always to be of such a breadth as to form a strongly marked line ; and, though the sides of 

 the edging may be clipped so as to give them a slope, and prevent their getting naked 

 close to the sm-face of the ground, yet the top should always be cut quite flat and level. 



13. Nothing looks worse in a flower-garden than to have the box edgings narrow and 

 high ; except having the edges of tui'f margins so pared by the spade as to show the raw 

 naked earth. 



84, Keeping the plants distinct. — Where there is abundance of room, it is 

 most convenient for culture, to keep perennials, biennials, annuals, and bulbs 

 in beds or compartments by themselves ; but, whether the space for flowers 

 be limited, or of considerable extent, when the object is to have an equal 

 display of flowers in spring and autumn, all these different kinds of plants must 

 frequently be mixed together, to make up the colours required ; for example, 

 in February, March, and April, very little could be effected in a bed or border 

 of mixed flowers, without the aid of crocuses, scillas, and hyacinths : and, 

 late in autumn, there Avould be no great display without dahlias, lupines, 

 China asters, marigolds, &c., all which are either tuberous-rooted plants, or 

 annuals. Whatever kinds of flowers may be admitted into a flower-bed or 

 border, one principle of planting must never be lost sight of; that is, dis- 

 tinctness, or the keeping of every particular plant perfectly isolated, and, 

 though near to, yet never allowing it to touch, the adjoining plants. This is 

 merely the principle of the gardenesque applied to flowers ; and it is so 

 decidedly preferable, in point of convenience for culture, to planting so close 

 together as that the plants will soon join together and cover the surface of the 

 soil, that Ave should never for a moment think of recommending what may 

 be called the picturesque in flower-planting, either for a flower-garden or for 

 flowers in borders. We except, however, creepers and low plants, and 

 perhaps plants generally, where the object is to produce one dense mass of 

 any particular colour; because this object cannot be effected without allowing 

 the plants to cover the whole bed. On the same principles of distinctness 

 and suitableness for culture, no shrubs that are not either of very low growth, 

 such as dwarf roses, or that have not very small heads, supported on stems 

 four feet or more in height, should ever be admitted into flower-beds or 

 borders. Dwarf roses, for all practical purposes, may, in effect, be considered 

 as herbaceous plants ; since they flower best when kept low by pruning, and 

 when taken up and replanted in fresh soil, every year. 



