Planting the Garden 27 



single there is a good planting rule. Colo- 

 nies, always of marked irregularity, ought 

 to merge into one another, but they should 

 not so overrun the rock work that no 

 stones are in sight. Not infrequently 

 some of the best effects are obtained where 

 more rock than flowers is seen. A boulder, 

 for example, calls for the contrast of 

 plants, perhaps only a few low-growing 

 ones in a natural pocket, rather than a 

 semi-eclipse. As a rule, plant one hun- 

 dred of half a dozen or so suitable, and 

 easy, species in preference to fifty or more 

 kinds. 



Study at the same time the form of the 

 plants that are to be used ; some quickly re- 

 solve themselves into a carpet, some never 

 get beyond mere tufts, some always grow 

 straight up, some prefer to hang down, 

 and some have foliage that is evergreen 

 or nearly so. To be more specific, one 



