GARDEN NOTES OF THE MONTH. 
over the sides in rich profusion, producing a luxuriant and yet most elegantly unique appearance. 
Scarlet Pelargoniums are omitted from these baskets, as being too conspicuous and glaring in colour, 
when thus elevated so nearly to a level with the eye of the observer ; and the coup d'ceil presented is 
more reposing and softer in consequence of their omission. In planting them the plants are so thickly 
disposed as to confer upon these beautiful flower-stands, when in full bloom, an appearance of what 
in truth they are—magnificent, tastefully-formed bouquets of Pelargoniums. 
Reference. —The accompanying plan being uniform and pretty well balanced throughout, it will 
be indispensable, in order to obviate any violation of the effect as a whole, that the corresponding 
parts be arranged so similarly in respect of the habit, height, colour, &c., of the different varieties of 
Pelargoniums employed in its decoration, as to confer an expressive air of unity and harmony upon 
the entire disposition,—the respective parts of the design being thus made to reflect, as it were, the 
corresponding ones. This is easy of accomplishment, provided the plan be carefully studied on paper 
previous to planting it; and which is assuredly well worth the pains, when it is known that any 
material mistake in the arrangement must inevitably prove destructive to the equipoise and harmony 
of the picture. 
The fastigiate tree and dwarf bush profiles indicated on the plan are intended to represent speci¬ 
mens of some strict-growing and spreading plants, as Irish Yew or evergreen Cypress for the former, 
and Phillyrea or Laurustinus for the latter. Doubtless, however, well-managed examples of standard 
or pyramidal Pelargoniums would be equally as appropriate in these positions; and the small angular 
beds on grass, g, near which they are planted, might most appropriately be furnished alike with 
masses of the “Frogmore improved” scarlet, zoned with some variegated Pelargoniums, for effecting a 
suitable contrast with the grass. 
The small square, c, within the circular figure, i, in the centre of the gravel parterre, a, and 
grass-plats, b, are consecutively the sites of the statue of Flora and flower-baskets shown in the 
vignette. The circles, i, surrounding the basket-stands, being furnished with fragrant Pelargoniums, 
intermingled with Heliotropes and Mignonette; the base of Flora being planted with Pelargonium 
Lucia roseum, margined with the gold-leaf variegated variety: a represents gravel walks, respec¬ 
tively, eight, six, and two and a-half feet in width ; and b indicates the grass portion of the plan. 
The dotted line extending round the circumferential border, f, shows the direction of the iron 
trelliage arches exhibited in the vignette,—the border itself being filled with the most brilliant 
kinds of scarlet, margined on both sides with the variegated Pelargonium called “ Mangles’ silver 
bedding.” 
The small circles, e, are devoted to handsome full-grown specimens of pyramidal Pelargoniums, 
zoned with the old dwarf Frogmore scarlet. The best and most select bedding varieties of the 
“choice” and “fancy” hybrids, with a goodly intermixture of fragrant-leaved Pelargoniums, are 
apportioned to the beds, d, composing the large interior circle of the garden.— George Taylor, 
Chatsworth. 
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GAEDEN NOTES OF THE MONTH. 
I7T1HEEE is an old truism that a man whose taste does not direct him to the admiration of either 
A music, poetry, or flowers, “ has no soul,” and though we concur in the intended inference, it is 
questionable whether so far as flowers are concerned, there is not vulgarity as well as taste; or rather, 
to put the matter more plainly, may not that taste which is satisfied only with a glare of flowers be 
considered vulgarity ! Those who can only admire a flower for its gaudy flowers have no very elevated 
idea of beauty; and hence we think the introduction of plants, remarkable for the splendour of their 
foliage, into flower gardens, as practised in Germany and other parts of the continent, is a sign of progress 
which we may copy with advantage, for we can imagine nothing more appropriate in a highly artistic, 
and more especially an ‘ architecturesque ’ garden, than single plants, or groups of plants remarkable 
for the beauty of their foliage. Such things are quite in accordance with high finish, or if we may be 
allowed the term, are nature’s finishing stroke to high art. Phormium tenax, the New Zealand 
