THE HOLLYHOCK. 323 



masses for distant effect in large gardens, there is no 

 flower so suitable as the Hollyhock. As to the height 

 to which it grows, this cannot be fairly urged to its dis- 

 advantage ; there are positions in almost every garden for 

 which this feature renders it peculiarly adaptable. The 

 best of our " bedding plants" are of lowly growth ; we 

 must look down upon them to appreciate their beauty. 

 But we cannot always be looking down, be the prospect 

 ever so charming. And there is a new feature of beauty 

 in that garden where on raising the bent head and down- 

 cast eye we meet with spikes of Hollyhocks breaking the 

 flatness of the general surface by streaks or lines of rich 

 and varied colours rising high among the leafy trees. In 

 many beautiful gardens that we have visited we have been 

 more than disconcerted by the abrupt transition from 

 " bedding plants" to trees, moderated as this has some- 

 times been by raised baskets and pillars of summer 

 climbers. Beautiful as are these latter they are not 

 sufficiently massive. The Hollyhock, and, as far as we 

 know, the Hollyhock alone, effectively fills the vacuity. 

 We know that it has been the fashion with some to decry 

 this plant, calling it coarse, formal, and weedy. Ad- 

 mitting that there is some truth in this, may we be 

 permitted to ask, is it not also bold, striking, and effective, 

 and are not these elements worth combining, at some 

 sacrifice, with the rich, the bright, the beautiful ? 



Thus far of its value in garden scenery. But it has 

 lately come to be considered as a florist's flower. The 

 busy brain and hand of the cultivator have been engaged 

 in its improvement, and those who remember the Holly- 

 hock of twenty years ago cannot fail to remark how 

 complete has been the success. Not only has it become 

 even more useful and effective for garden decoration, but 

 it has received a degree of elegance and symmetry from 

 the hands of the cultivator that has fitted it to take a 

 position in company with the most distinguished of Flora's 

 subjects. 



