124 COLOUR SCHEMES 



Had I more strength I should visit the nurseries in 

 order to see all the excellent Geraniums that are now 

 grown, and to group them into colour-combinations 

 such as could be confidently recommended. As it is, 

 I have to depend upon the courtesy of my friends in 

 the horticultural trade, when I have occasion to make 

 such combinations, for sending me blooms that I can 

 choose from. 



For detached vases that stand on pedestals, so that 

 the whole of the vase and contents becomes warmed by 

 exposure to sunlight, a condition specially grateful to 

 Geraniums, I know no variety more useful than King 

 of Denmark. The flowers are in large trusses, half- 

 double, of an excellent soft salmon-pink colour ; the 

 foliage is bold and well marked ; the whole plant 

 massive and handsome. For this and any other out- 

 door pot-culture it is best if strong two-year-old plants 

 can be kept. 



There are among Geraniums some of a raw magenta- 

 pink that I regret to see in many gardens and that will 

 certainly never be admitted into mine. 



In designing gardens where there are flagged spaces 

 it is well to remember the good effect of summer flowers 

 in slightly raised beds with stone edges. Such beds 

 often come happily in conjunction with steps and 

 paved landings and designs in which fountains occur. 

 Summer flowers, such as Geraniums, Lilies and Cannas, 

 seem to revel in such beds and are never seen to better 

 advantage. Owing to the cottage character of my 

 house I have little scope for such beds — ^none at all 

 for the best kind with dwarf walls and curbs of moulded 



