748 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



flowering plants are stiff and heavy, light, graceful-leaved subjects 

 should be used, which will show up above the flowers, and vice 

 versa, e.g., Begonia semperftorens and Draccena gracilis. If the 

 flowering plants are loose and graceful, stiff, erect foliage plants 

 may be used, e.g., Ficus elastica and Fuchsias. If the foliage 

 plants used are not tall enough to show above the flowering plants 

 they may be raised on inverted pots. If the flowering plants 



have long 

 spikes of blos- 

 som it is bet- 

 ter to use 

 small foliage 

 plants as a 

 groundwork, 

 and to let the 

 spikes show 

 above ; and 

 in some cases, 

 if the flower- 

 ing plants are 

 tall, small foli- 

 age plants as 

 groundwork 

 and large ones 

 to mix with the flowering 

 plants may be used with ad- 

 vantage. Never make banks 

 of foliage at the back of 

 groups on the shelves ; these 

 shut out the light and have 

 a heavy effect On the con- 

 trary, scatter the plants at 

 fairly even distances amongst the groups 

 of flowering subjects ; by this means a 

 light, airy, and graceful effect is ob- 

 tained. For the front of the shelves 

 and the beds small foliage plants may 

 be used, so as to hide the pots as 

 much as possible ; and for the centre 

 beds large specimens may be placed 

 in the middle and scattered among 

 the groups of other plants. 



In all cases regard must be paid to the colour of the foliage 

 plants used, and the flowers, amongst which they are placed. 

 Contrast should be aimed at, placing dark foliage amongst light 

 and gay-coloured flowers, and light foliage amongst dull and dark- 

 coloured flowers. If the foliage is coloured, as in the case of 

 Dracaenas, Coleus, &c, the plants must not be placed amongst 



B'IG. 495. — RlCHABDIA 



Elliottiana. 



