42 LILIES FOR ENGLISH GARDENS 



For this purpose the best kinds are longiflormn, can- 

 didum^ auratum, Krameri, and speciosum. In such 

 groupings nothing is more important, as a suitable 

 setting to the Lilies, than to have a good supply of 

 the best foliage, also in pots. For this the plants most 

 to be recommended are Funkia grandiflora, and hardy 

 Ferns as advised for the woodland groups, Male Fern, 

 Lady Fern, and Dilated Shield Fern. All these are 

 grown out of doors in a sheltered place, having been 

 potted in October. The plants take two years to come 

 to their best, and will stand in the pots three or four 

 years, after which they are thankful for a shift. The 

 only indoor plants used with these are Aspidistras, 

 which are much benefited by the outdoor treatment. 



There is no reason why any other plants of good 

 green foliage that may be liked should not be used, 

 but it is convenient to describe an arrangement that 

 has been actually done, and found to answer so well 

 that for three or four years it has remained un- 

 changed. 



The groups of green are put out in the first week 

 of June. In the place in question there is no con- 

 venience for bringing on early batches of Lilium 

 longiflorum, so that the first flower effect is given by 

 pots of white Gladiolus (the Bride), and some Hydran- 

 geas, white and pink. But in the shady place all white 

 and tender-coloured flowers look well, while all gain 

 immensely from being placed in the ample ground- 

 work of cool greenery of only a few kinds of plants, 

 and these not mixed up, but easily grouped. 



A very simple grouping such as this of a few green 



