ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 105 



In making selections of ornamental-leaved plants, one 

 should be careful not to over-do the matter, but introduce 

 just enougli to make the picture complete — not too many of 

 one color, so that the place, to use a common phrase, will 

 look stunning. The tallest varieties should form the back- 

 ground, or, Avhen groups are formed, be placed in the cen- 

 ter. Plain green-leaved plants should also be intermin- 

 gled, because without them it is scarcely possible to pro- 

 duce a pleasing effect. The native ferns from our woods 

 are unexcelled in beauty of foliage ; their fine, feathery 

 leaves intermingled with the coarser varieties of plants 

 form a beautiful contrast, without appearing to crowd or 

 in any way interfere Avith other kinds. Most of our native 

 ferns may be successfully grown in the open garden, yet a 

 partial shade, such as may readily be given them when 

 grouping with other plants, is beneficial. This greatly 

 neglected family of plants is deserving of more attention 

 than we have been in the habit of giving them. 



A large proportion of the ornamental-leaved plants com- 

 monly used for summer decorations of gardens are tender 

 and will not bear the least frost, consequently they must be 

 started in the green-house, or be kept there during winter, 

 and planted out in summer. Such plants are propagated in 

 large quantities by our fiorists, from whom tliey can be 

 obtained very cheaply. There are, however, some kinds 

 which can be grown from seeds ; others are hardy, and the 

 roots may remain in the open ground during winter ; 

 wliile a few may be taken up and put away in the cellar 

 in boxes of sand, just as we keep Dahlias. 



In the followins: list we have endeavored to name some 



