HORTICULTUEAL JOURNAL. 239 
conception exists, and I know gardeners are often compelled to fill vases, 
&c., with plants by no means* the most eligible for the purpose ; but as 
custom has made it the law, I merely notice it for the purpose of pointing 
out what I consider would be an improvement on the prevailing practice of 
merely filling them with Scarlet Geraniums, and which, I admit, produce a 
blaze of bloom, but which in point of grace and elegance must yield to 
many others. 
Considering a vase, when tastefully planted, as one of the most graceful 
and classic objects in the flower garden, we should select such plants which, 
from their habit of growth, will harmonize best with the situation they are 
to fill. Nor does it require very expensive plants to create such a beau- 
tiful combination of form, (if not of color,) having seen a vase filled with 
common British Ferns produce a most charming effect ; and those who 
grow exotic Ferns will readily perceive what elegant groups they would 
make, if transferred to a vase. But we must try and see if there is nothing 
else that will answer our purpose. First, there is a plant which myself and 
others grow for this purpose, but which nevertheless is not commonly seen, — 
Agapanthus umbellatus, — the blue African Lily, and its allies. Good plants 
of these transferred to vases in May, and supplied well with water (for the 
plant is a sub-aquatic,) form fine objects. Their sword-like leaves bend 
gracefully over the rim of the vase, and, crowned with an umbel of bright 
blue flowers, render them as conspicuous as they are graceful. In sheltered 
situations, what forms a more beautiful object than a vase filled with the 
common Egyptian Arum — Calla gethiopica ? but these will not bear an 
exposed situation, and the plants must be strong before turning them out. 
Next we have tried Tritonia aurea, and certainly this is a beautiful plant 
for the purpose ; it requires putting in thick, but in the autumn its bright 
orange-colored flowers and slender leaves make it a very desirable plant for 
our purpose. Phormium tenax, New Zealand Flax, is another suitable plant 
for its foliage, as are some of the Yuccas. As regards these latter, the best 
plan is to select those showing bloom, when they are really fine objects. 
There are many other sword-leaved plants, including Gladioluses and Irises, 
well adapted for our purpose ; nor should we forget the Acanthus, for its 
classic association, which, to those who may wish to make the trial, will 
suggest themselves as eligible ; and I shall be glad to hear that these hints, 
loosely thrown together, have induced some of your readers to give them 
a trial. I may perhaps trouble you again on this subject, but shall now 
conclude by naming a few creeping plants adapted for planting round the 
principal ; these will creep over the rim, and may then be left either to 
