On laying out Flotver-Gardens. QX 



band of amateur gardeners, who make Flora blush at their 

 awkward arrangement and disposal of her gifts. How often 

 do we see parks laid out in good taste, so far as water, trees, 

 and drives are concerned, with a flower-garden, composed 

 either of " gaudy masses " and " lumpish forms," or of stars, 

 and hieroglyphics of all sorts, for which no name can be 

 found. It may be said by some, that the flowers have nothing 

 to do with the landscape scenery of a park, and are to con- 

 tribute to its embellishment by their individual beauty only. 

 I differ from this opinion in toto ; but, without formally 

 attempting to controvert it, shall beg leave to submit a few 

 ideas of my own on the subject. It appears to me, that the 

 most general fault, in laying out flower-gardens, is the total 

 absence of connection or unison between the several beds or 

 borders. It is admitted by most persons, that, in park scenery, 

 all details should be subservient to the efi^ect of the whole; 

 and I consider that the same rule is applicable to the arrange- 

 ment of a flower-garden. Where the shape of any individual 

 bed can be changed at pleasure, without injuring or altering 

 the general effect ; Vvhere stars can be transformed into 

 garters, full moons into crescents, oblong meat-dishes into 

 round cheese-plates, and vice versa; I cannot consider the 

 flower-garden as approaching to perfection, notwithstanding 

 any sum which extravagance may have been pleased to throw 

 away upon it. I concur in several of Mr. Errington's re- 

 mai'ks. but cannot say that I at all like his plan or design, of 

 which your Magazine contains a woodcut (fig. 106. p. 564. 

 Vol. VIIL). I do not see any bed or beds in it that might 

 not be replaced by others of a different form ; I cannot dis- 

 cover any other principle than that of placing large groups 

 outside, and little groups in the middle. I venture to subjoin 

 a sketch {^fig. 16.) illustrative of my own opinions on the 

 subject. 



Allow me here to enter my protest against the little iron 

 basketwork with which many flower-beds are surrounded, to 

 the very great detriment of the toes of gouty or contemplative 

 amateurs. Where the little monstrosities are visible, they give 

 a rigid and harsh outline, which has any appearance but that 

 of nature ; and, when they are covered or overhung with 

 flowers, such as heliotropes, geraniums, or the bright scarlet 

 beauty of Ferbena chamaedrifolia, in which case, being out of 

 sight, they look best, as the Irishman said ; why, even then. Sir, 

 suppose a lady or gentleman wishes to reach a rose or honey- 

 suckle growing in the centre of a group ; cautiously stepping 

 here and there among the front ranks, his or her foot catches 

 in the basketwork, and a fall is the consequence, by which 



