THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Speaking generally, hardy flowers have more attractions for the owner and his friends 

 when grown in large borders than in beds. Beds entirely filled with one flower are 

 often very beautiful, however, when in bloom, and various other styles are followed 

 with considerable success. Planting the beds in circles of flowers of different colours is 

 not so much followed as was at one time the case, and the same may be said of another 

 method in which flowers of various kinds were dotted here and there. It will be found 

 that simple beds, filled with one kind of plant free and long-flowering in habit, is the 

 most attractive way of growing hardy border flowers in beds in the grass. It does not 

 necessarily follow that these beds should be of a formal design, and the effect of a 

 hardy flower garden on grass will be much improved by informal groups of bamboos, 

 kniphofias, sunflowers and other plants. Informality should be carefully studied, and 

 on no account must single plants be dotted here and there at regular intervals. 



The borders should be of good width, and their form is not of so much consequence 

 as the way in which they are planted. Single plants at regular intervals should 

 not be permitted, nor even small groups of the same flower at regular distances. 

 So arrange the flowers that a constant variety is seen ; no one part of the border 

 entirely resembling another. A few plants of one kind grouped together always look 

 much better than the same number arranged singly in a straight line. When the latter 

 plan is adopted one of the drawbacks of the bedding system is repeated, and uniformity 

 with lack of interest follows. 



The older herbaceous borders were generally planted so that all the tall plants were 

 at the back, the others being so planted that there was a regular slope from back to 

 front. This is not so much followed now, though the idea must naturally predomi- 

 nate, and a more informal system, better suited for long borders in particular, is being 

 adopted, by which the outline is broken by the introduction of some of the taller plants 

 nearer the front. When this method of arrangement is carried out special care is 

 necessary in preventing the strong growers unduly encroaching on and spoiling many 

 of the weaker or choicer kinds, not a few of which have been lost through forgetfulness 

 or the want of timely aid for ensuring their preservation. 



As the border of hardy flowers is, as a rule, intended to be attractive throughout the 

 year, it is important in planting to remember to arrange them in such a way that at no 

 season should all the bloom be confined to the back, centre, or front of the border. A 

 common error is to plant crocuses and snowdrops near the front alone. A better effect 

 will be produced if they are planted in clumps in various positions. It is the same with 



