On grouping and arranging Plants. 105 



Art. III. Oti grouping and arranging Plants in the Flower 

 Garden. By R. Carmichael, Newton, Mass. 



I HAVE thought it might be interesting to a certain portion 

 of your readers, to give a few hints on the proper method of 

 arranging or grouping plants in the flower garden, so as to 

 harmonize and contrast their various colors, in order to pro- 

 duce the most desirable effect during the summer ; likewise a 

 few hints in reference to the variety of plants which ought to 

 be introduced, so that each season may yield its flowers, and 

 the garden become delightful in all the summer months. 



Most gardens have their charms, but the general evil is, 

 that they are beautiful only at a particular season or seasons; 

 while, during the rest of the summer, they have nothing to 

 attract the observation, and even during their beauty, there 

 is a stiffness of arrangement any thing but pleasing. It is 

 laid down in general as a rule, and founded on the recognition 

 of a principle, which is, or ought always to be followed, viz., 

 that uniformity and contrast most invariably accompany each 

 other — in arranging the plants, uniformity as to size of plants, 

 and contrast, as to color of flower and shape of leaves. No 

 annual flower should be sown, nor any plant permanently 

 placed, without first ascertaining their height^ color ^ and season 

 of flowering. The greatest difl'erence of taste prevails on the 

 subject of disposing and intermingling the various plants which 

 are to occupy the flower border. As the whole beauty de- 

 pends on the tasteful disposition of the plants in regard to 

 color, and a nicety in arranging the different groups or beds, 

 so that, when viewed from the principal entrance, or a distant 

 point, they will present one glow of color, and in such a man- 

 ner, that one group shall not intercept the beauties of an- 

 other. 



In planting out for general effect, there are two diflferent 

 methods, each of which have their admirers. One is to plant 

 flowers of diff'erent colors in the same bed, which is certainly 

 desirable in some cases, where the size of the bed, or its posi- 

 tion in the garden, may render such a mode necessary. Some 

 plants show off" their beauties best when arranged in this 

 manner ; for example, a bed of mignonette may be sweet, 

 VOL. XI — NO. in. 14 



