Often a commonplace spot can be rendered unusually distinctive by the artistic placing of the tub plant. 
how a single palm has added dignity to the grounds 
This illustration shows in a marked degree 
Ornamental Tub Plants 
THEIR GROWING POPULARITY FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSES—FORMAL AND INFORMAL EFFECTS AND HOW 
TO ATTAIN THEM—VARIOUS ATTRACTIVE FLOWERING PLANTS AND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE GROWN 
by Ida D. Bennett 
T HE use of ornamental tub plants for terraces, porches and 
like places is steadily growing in favor, and one sees them 
in almost every position where the ornamental plant is feasible. 
To mark the end of a walk, the intersection of garden paths, the 
opening in a fence or hedge or a house entrance, a plant which is 
ornamental in foliage or flower is always desirable. Often a 
commonplace front door is dignified and made attractive by potted 
plants at the ends of the steps; but in selecting plants for such 
positions a certain reserve 
should be shown and any¬ 
thing fussy or untidy in 
appearance avoided. I 
have seen entrances quite 
spoiled by ineffective 
plants in fancy pots or 
jardinieres. As a rule the 
more simple the receptacle 
in which plants for orna- 
mental purposes are 
grown, the better. For 
such large plants as box¬ 
wood and bay trees the 
ordinary cedar tubs are 
best, and for many small¬ 
er sorts the large, red 
pots—not the ordinary 
florists’ pots but the terra¬ 
cotta ware in plain sur¬ 
face but graceful form, is The clivia produces exquisite umbels of 
excellent. Some of the bright flowers 
Mexican pottery does very well if care is taken to select as in¬ 
conspicuous a design as possible, for it is the plant, not the pot, 
that is the motive of the decoration. 
For gardens and houses of formal character the box and bay 
are usually selected, and where these are prohibitive in price a 
very good substitute is found in some of the small, neat-growing 
evergreens like the Japan cypress. The junipers may also be used 
and some of the cedars, which are both dignified and ornamental. 
For less formal effects 
where only good foliage 
is sought, some of the 
bamboos are desirable. 
Bambusa Metake is one of 
the most useful forms for 
potting, being dwarf in 
habit and rarely exceed¬ 
ing six feet in height. As 
it bears the largest leaves 
of all the bamboos, it 
makes a very attractive 
and effective plant. It 
needs considerable water 
and rich soil always to be 
at its best, but is not as 
exacting as palms, and 
makes an excellent plant 
for indoor decoration in 
winter. B. viridffiora is 
has another attractive bamboo 
requiring the same gener- 
Callislemon lanceolalus likewise 
beautiful color 
( 177 ) 
