108 
ON PLANTS SUITABLE FOR GROUPING IN FLOWER 
GARDENS. 
Grouping-, or arranging showy plants en masse, has of late years become so 
g-eneral in all good gardens, that we are somewhat surprised some efficient person 
has not attempted to give practical instructions, so as to insure a succession of 
beautiful flowering plants for this purpose. Although the system has become almost 
universal, it is, we conceive, but imperfectly understood. The following hints are 
the result of our experience in the management of this style of flower gardening, 
and should they be the means of facilitating or elucidating any thing connected with 
the subject to any of our readers, we shall feel most happy ; they apply to flower 
gardens with small detached symmetrical beds, whether formed upon grass (which 
is the newest style) or gravel ; and as one or two shabby or declining beds spoil the 
whole efl"ect, the earliest opportunity should be embraced to refil them ; to do this 
throughout the season, with the least possible expense and trouble, is the object 
to be attained ; for this purpose, a reserve garden, some frames or pits, practical 
skill, and considerable attention, are requisite; these for the most part depend upon 
the experience and perseverance of the gardener, for although many good practical 
works upon gardening have been published, the rotation of crops for the flower 
garden has generally been but indifl'erently treated upon, whilst the kitchen garden 
minutiae are elaborately explained ; in fact, until the last few years, flower gardens 
were for the most part a mere secondary object, as far as regarded management ; 
whilst, if the old works on gardening are examined, it will be found the 
kitchen garden was cropped much the same as at present, and produced vege- 
tables as good and in as great variety (with the exception of a few introductions 
of minor importance). The principal things in the flower garden were such as annual 
lupins, thrift, double-feverfew, bachelors' buttons, honesty, &c., with some bulbs, 
and those planted almost indiscriminately, without reference to height, colour, or 
duration ; there were none of the petunias, dahlias, verbenas, calceolarias, eschscholt- 
zias, and dozens of other equally eleg-ant plants that adorn so beautifully our borders 
and beds at the present time ; not that we would wish to exclude their less gaudy 
brethren, but the flower garden beds should at all times be as dazzling as possible, 
whilst the borders might be occupied with the miscellanies. There are some who 
advocate beds with mixed plants, which, when arranged according to their heights, 
colours, and seasons of flowering, look very well when properly attended to ; and to 
those having little room, and desirous of possessing a large collection, they have 
their recommendations ; still they never have that striking effect the same beds would 
have if filled with suitable plants, arranged in groups, and in large fiower gardens we 
think them decidedly bad ; and as there are continually some shabby or decaying 
plants, the same, or even a greater objection, may be made than that of declining 
beds in the grouping system, as the opening made by cutting down a permanent 
plant cannot be conveniently filled until again occupied by its dormant possessor. 
