186 
ON GROUPING ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 
pot, should be put here and there among the others to take away the formality of 
a regular arrangement, and to impart undulation and brokenness to the surface. 
On the latter particular, we would especially insist. 
When greenhouse species are removed to the open air during summer, they are 
frequently set, either where they cannot be inspected, or in a very slovenly or 
formal way. As it is a principle of gardening that everything (and pre-eminently 
what relates to plants in pots) should be done in the neatest and best possible 
manner, we do not see why greenhouse plants should not be made the most of 
while in the open air. At Mr. Knight's nursery, Chelsea, there is a spacious area, 
environed with greenhouses, in which they store their plants through the summer ; 
and they are arranged in beds, on a surface of ashes, with intervening walks of a 
similar material. The plan of the whole is complicately geometrical, the dwarfest 
plants being near the centre, and the larger ones gradually rising to the outside, 
where the largest stand against the surrounding buildings. In the beds, the 
plants fall in height from the middle on all sides. As they remain out for several 
months, a peculiarly interesting effect is created by this method of arranging 
them ; and it is well worthy of being pursued in other and smaller gardens, where 
the nature of the accommodation would regulate the adaptation of the system. 
Of the grouping of plants in flower-beds and borders, little is requisite to be 
said. When the practice of occupying each bed with one kind of flower is 
adopted, the principal subject for consideration is the colour, size, and character of 
the flowers. Where these are felicitously mixed and blended, nothing further, 
beyond the height of the plant, need be thought of with respect to arrangement. 
It sometimes happens, from local causes, that the division of the ground into 
small beds cannot be effected, and long, broad, or altogether large borders have to 
be furnished. Under such circumstances, the flowers can be mixed with nearly as 
rich an effect as when they are separated by beds ; only, instead of filling part of 
the border with one sort, and another with a different one, they should be planted 
promiscuously, always paying due heed to harmonious combination. Occasionally 
the beds will be of such a diameter as to present, even when covered with the 
tallest available flowers, a displeasing flatness ; and for such, a raised mound in the 
middle, supported by rustic wood-work, will afford the opportunity alike of 
varying the surface and of introducing another sort of plant into the middle. We 
have seen this plan followed with the happiest results. 
Lest too great a prominence should appear to have been given to this topic, we 
will conclude by saying that the most valuable collection of plants, of any tribe, 
loses two thirds of its interest when ill-arranged ; and that the poorest is invested 
with tenfold attractions when disposed to advantage. Intrinsic excellence is 
immensely heightened by attention to this circumstance, and positive demerit is 
immeasurably deepened by its neglect. 
