148 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



often disastrous than any other form of incompati- 

 bility. I recall a planting in my own garden that re- 

 sulted most disastrously and might just as well have 

 been averted by an instant's thought. In this case, 

 having a surplus of Oriental poppy plants to dispose 

 of in a hurry, several were set in a border containing 

 a fine plant of dictamnus; the result when the two 

 bloomed together was something to make a flower lover 

 mourn ; of course in this ease the remedy was to re- 

 move the poppies, but two or three weeks' discord was 

 created in the garden by mere thoughtlessness and I 

 dare say the plants are still gossiping about it. 



In considering color juxtaposition it should be 

 borne in mind that when in doubt one should always 

 use white. White is the great peace-maker and can 

 be introduced with good effect almost anywhere. It 

 is especially good with scarlet and where two inhar- 

 monious shades of red have been inadvertently placed 

 side by side, the introduction of white may relieve an 

 embarrassing situation. Almost all shades of yellow 

 harmonize with blue, mauve with pink. Blue planted 

 in the rear of the garden increases the apparent dis- 

 tance and extent of the garden while white brings 

 the planting nearer, lessening the apparent size of 

 the garden. 



Many plants are at their best in long rows, rather 

 than in massed beds ; the hollyhock and foxgloves are 

 good instances of these. The garden spiraea is good 



