366 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



long time in bloom, and present fine masses of flowers. On 

 the other hand, a very large number of species may be assem- 

 bled together ; and owing to their being merely botanical 

 rarities, and not bearing fine flowers — or to their blossoming 

 chiefly in a certain portion of the season — or continuing but 

 a short period in bloom, the flower-garden will often have 

 but an insignificant appearance. With a group of Pansies 

 and spring bulbs, a bed of ever-blooming China Roses, inclu- 

 ding the Isle de Bourbon varieties, some few Eschscholtzias, 

 the showy Petunias, Gillias, and other annuals, and a dozen 

 choice double Dahlias, a limited spot, of a few yards in diameter, 

 may be made productive of more enjoyment, so far as regards 

 a continued display of flowers, than ten times that space, 

 planted, as we often see flower-gardens here, with a heteroge- 

 neous mixture of everything the possessor can lay his hands 

 on, or crowd within the enclosure. 



The 7ningled flower-garden, as it is termed, is by far the 

 most common mode of arrangement in this country, though 

 it is seldom well eff'ected. The object in this is to dispose 

 the plants in the beds in such a manner that, while there is 

 no predominance of bloom in any one portion of the beds, 

 there shall be a general admixture of colours and blossoms 

 throughout the entire garden during the whole season of 

 growth. 



To promote this, the more showy plants should be often 

 repeated in different parts of the garden, or even the same 

 parterre when large, the less beautiful sorts being suffered 

 to occupy but moderate space. The smallest plants should 

 be nearest the walk, those a little taller behind them, and the 

 largest should be farthest from the eye, at the back of the 

 border, when the latter is seen from one side only, or in 

 the centre, if the bed be viewed from both sides. A neglect of 



