33 



to the border. It is of course very much a matter of personal taste 

 how the planting should be carried out, but by arranging some of 

 the tall plants at or near the front, or in the centre, and placing behind 

 and beside these some of the dwarfer ones, according to whether they 

 need plenty of sunshine or shade, a much more natural and better 

 effect is gained. In fact, one of the objects in planting should be 

 to make the plants themselves assist one another as much as possible. 

 By this I mean, a tall plant can be readily utUized to shade a smaller 

 one during the hottest part of the day, and in hke manner a tender 

 specimen can be protected from cold winds to a considerable extent 

 if arranged next to one of a hardier and more robust constitution. 



Staking. — In many cases this point is not attended to as 

 it undoubtedly should be, for on the neatness and appropriateness 

 with which the staking of the plants is carried out very often depend 

 the satisfactory finishing touches which help to make the border 

 complete. Nothing so much offends the eye as an unwieldy stake 

 obtruding itself to one's notice in a position where a smaller and more 

 slender one would be more suitable. The young shoots of some erect- 

 growing plants must be necessarily provided with some support 

 during their earUer period of growth, so as to prevent the stems 

 becoming deformed or broken by the wind. This partial dislocation, 

 occasioned by their being blown about by the wind, is sure to be 

 completed or made worse if staking is left to a later date when the 

 growths are well advanced and more set 



The massing and grouping of many of the plants are also to be con- 

 sidered. It is a common occurrence to find that one plant of a certain 

 variety or species fails to excite any comment whatsoever. The indivi- 

 dual appears commonplace. It may be because it is spare and straggling 

 in growth or small and inconspicuous of flower. But it frequently 

 happens, also, that what is ineffective as a single specimen becomes 

 a beautiful and desirable subject for the border when grown as groups 

 or in masses together. Primroses, Phloxes, and Asters when grown 

 as single plants appear only very ordinary, but group a dozen or so 

 of the same together and a much better effect is immediately gained. 



Colour and Time of Flowering. — These points play a prominent 

 part in the successful planting of a border, and, if studied 

 projjerly in conjunction with each other, ensure the picturesque 

 finish that is so desirable. The plants should be arranged so 

 that the colours blend rather than clash with one another, and 

 that the border may maintain its interest from one year's end 

 to another. Harmony rather than contrast should be the rule in 

 colour arrangement ; and the breadth of any one colour in a mass 

 or group should be large enough to have a certain charm without 

 the danger of being wearisome. Where a definite plan of colouring 

 is decided upon, it saves time and trouble if the plants, of which 

 the flowers are approximately the same colour, but a little later than 

 each other in appearance, are planted or grouped near together so 

 as to keep the various parts of the border in continuous flower. For 



