CHAPTER XIV 



GROUPINGS OF PLANTS IN POTS 



It is a common thing in Italian gardens to see a quantity 

 of plants in pots standing in various parts of the 

 garden, generally in connection with paved terraces 

 and steps. This is in addition to the larger pot plants 

 — Oranges, Lemons, Oleanders, &c. — ^that, in their 

 immense and often richly decorated earthenware 

 receptacles, form an important part of the garden 

 design. In our climate we cannot have these unless 

 there is an Orangery or some such spacious place free 

 from frost for housing them in winter. But good 

 groupings of smaller plants in pots is a form of ornament 

 that might be made more use of in our own gardens, 

 especially where there are paved spaces near a house 

 or in connection with a tank or fountain, so that there 

 is convenient access to means of daily watering. I 

 have such a space in a cool court nearly square in shape. 

 A middle circle is paved, and all next the house is paved, 

 on a level of one shallow step higher. It is on the sides 

 of this raised step that the pot plants are grouped, 

 leaving free access to a wooden seat in the middle, 

 and a clear way to a door on the left. 



The first thing is to secure good greenery. On each 

 side three oblong Itahan terra-cotta pots full of Funkia 



