OF HERBACEOUS BORDERS 79 



There are other factors, besides, which go far 

 to make herbaceous borders one of the chiefest of 

 garden delights, or the very reverse. A most im- 

 portant point is the choice of suitable plants. Out 

 of the multitude of fine hardy perennials at our 

 disposal, it is not easy to select this one and reject 

 that to good purpose. Generally it is only after 

 many failures and disappointments that we learn 

 by hard experience the sober truth, that it is not 

 enough for a plant to be admirable in itself, it 

 must also fit the exact place it is destined to occupy, 

 and that in close quarters with some neighbour 

 in whose company it must at all seasons abide in 

 harmony. Colour, height, habit, adjustment all 

 these have to be taken into consideration and 

 weighed in the balance. Another point, and 

 one to be carefully guarded against, is over- 

 crowding. Whether the space be large or 

 small, it is almost inevitable that the owner 

 of a garden or his agents should want to 

 pack into it every lovely variety of growth 

 that comes within reach. But by this means 

 the end in view is defeated, for there are only 

 certain plants that are sociable by nature and 

 prefer to live in a throng. Most of them, like 

 human beings, crave for a breathing space, and 

 return good interest besides for larger room. As 

 a rule we measure the space to be allowed for plants 

 by inches, when it should be reckoned by feet, 

 or even by yards. Where room is thus generously 

 bestowed, it serves another purpose, for it is pos- 

 sible then to make intermediary use of annuals', 

 or even pot plants, to be plunged in vacant places, 



