MIXED BORDERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



149 



of the garden. Scarlet and rose colour, the tints respectively of the Oriental Poppy 

 and many of the herbaceous Pasonies, should never be allowed in close proximity, but 

 scarlet and crimson merge' agreeably into orange and yellow and the latter into straw 

 colour, ivory white, and white. The different shades of purple and blue form in 

 themselves quite a colour gradation ; the lighter blues associating, through pale yellow, 

 with white, while lilac and mauve also harmonise well with soft yellow. The latter 

 colour may also be used in juxtaposition to pink and rose tints. In this manner, though 

 discordant colours may be represented in the same border, they may be disposed in 

 such a manner, by surrounding them with allied colour-tones, melting by infinite degrees 

 into others that, by gentle gradations, eventually harmonise with the opposing hue, as 

 to produce a delightful rather than an offensive effect. As has been already observed, 

 herbaceous plants do not bloom simultaneously, but succeed each other, and it is there- 

 fore requisite that the places of the earlier-flowering subjects should be taken, later on, 

 by others of the same colour that are planted in close proximity, or the effect of the 

 carefully-considered colour-scheme will be marred. Many of the earlier-blossoming plants 

 will, as they die down, become unsightly, and for this reason they should be placed 

 immediately behind others that make their growth at a later date, and thus hide their 

 imperfections. 



In arranging mixed borders, especially if these be wide ones, many subjects other 

 than herbaceous plants may be used with advantage, while some, whose tenderness obliges 

 their removal before the advent of winter, are of such decorative value that they may 

 well be allotted positions in the border. Of the latter the large-flowered Cannas, 

 Cactus Dahlias, Lobelia fulgens, Salvia patens, and scarlet Gladioli may be mentioned, 

 while of the former a large list might be given of plants valuable by reason of their 

 flowering qualities or for their contour, nobilitv of form being a matter of almost as great 

 importance in the border as beautv of colour. Of these may be cited Bamboos, Yuccas 

 in variety, Eulalias, Arundos, shrubby Spirasas, flowering shrubs of many kinds, and 

 climbing Roses grown on rough poles. 



Although, in arranging the occupants of the border, as a general rule, the tallest 

 subjects will be relegated to the back row and the most dwarf accommodated in the fore- 

 front, a graduated scale of heights from back to front should not be followed throughout 

 the whole length from end to end, as this will impart an appearance of stiffness the reverse 

 of pleasing. Here and there a group of taller plants, a flowering shrub, or giant reed 

 standing in a forward position, makes an artistic break' in the continuity of the view 

 and gives character to the informal border. 



Rock gardening is a phase of floriculture that possibly does not number such an 

 extended array of votaries as do homage to the charms of the herbaceous border, 

 though there is no doubt but that, where this particular branch is once essayed, it is 

 usually followed up with a zest that even the most zealous orchid-grower would feel no 

 cause to be ashamed of. One reason for this being the case is, doubtless, the fact 

 that, when the rock garden is once formed, the amateur can, if he is at all skilled in 

 gardening lore, do all the necessary work with his own hands. He can plant and divide in the 

 porous soil almost without soiling his fingers ; he can pull up the stray weed without breaking 

 his back, and keep a watchful eye on the progress of his little favourites while standing with 

 dry feet on the stony path. 



In the rock garden the microcosm of gardening is to be studied. In a few 

 square yards hundreds of rare and interesting plants may be collected — plants whose 

 culture, in spite of their hardiness or rather because of it, often presents no inconsiderable 

 difficulties, for here are the denizens of the fringe of the Alpine snowfields, who, 

 in their native habitat, are for months at a time buried beneath several feet of snow 

 and burst into blossom almost immediately their white covering is dissipated, and 



