UNSPOILT FLOWERS 



direction of popular clamour ? The gardening public will 

 ever delight in the biggest rose and enjoy the largest fruit, 

 and even crow over those who can show no such evidence 

 of misdirected skill in cultivation. Since it is too late 

 to hope that florists will ever work at lessening the size 

 of flowers, or in restoring the lost balance between leaf 

 and blossom, I would bring to the reader's notice plants 

 which either attract by their leaves alone or by a per- 

 fect association of flowers and foliage. A few groups of 

 such as these may lift out of the common rut even the 

 most " squat " and most uninteresting of parterres, and 

 make some semblance of a garden of them, while on 

 the garden fringe where, without seeming change, the 

 artificial gives way to the natural, their presence is 

 invaluable. Let me walk lightly and tread with care, 

 that I may not alienate the sympathies of readers 

 who disagree with me. 



The first plant that I shall recommend is one that 

 possesses in a peculiar degree the merits that appear to 

 me to indicate naturalness in a plant, a just proportion of 

 leaves and flowers. It is unsurpassed for gaudy bloom, 

 but, happily, its leaves are as fine as ever they were, 

 and in some varieties they are almost of greater decora- 

 tive value than the flowers. I ask those who are endeared 

 to the garish display of flat masses of bedding plants, 

 at least to find room for one group of Cannas. I venture 

 to say that another season room will be found for more. 

 I give this recommendation in spite of the words of Mrs. 



