904 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
Novembeb 29, 1913. 
I MIXED FLOWER BORDERS. 
Mixed flower borderis are of many kinds, 
and thereby show that there is a great 
diversity of taste in arrangement, and con¬ 
siderable difference of opinion as to the 
|x>sition which should be assigned them in 
the general scheme of garden decoration. 
In many instances these borders are planted 
n ith so much skill and taste as to present 
a most attractive appearance from the 
earliest stage, and retain their charm over 
a surprisingly long period. In some in- 
surmounted. The best means in this case 
of overcoming difficulties w^ould be a more 
careful estimate of the number of plants 
of the several kinds and varieties required 
for carrying out the general scheme, 
which should be carefully considered and 
decided upon early enough for the plants 
to be raised under the best possible 
conditions. 
If those who so far fail in their appre¬ 
ciation of mixed flower borders as to con¬ 
sider them undeserving of prominent posi- 
the conditions that obtain in gardens of 
quite modei-ate dimensions without suffer¬ 
ing any lack of interest and attraction. As 
so well shown in the illustration, the plants 
were arranged in rather large and some¬ 
what irregular groups, and it will be seen 
that they chiefly represent subjects gene¬ 
rally utilised for beautifying the flower 
garden during the summer months. 
The value of mixed borders is not, how¬ 
ever, limited to the summer—or, iiukKnl, 
to any one season—for, by mejms of suit¬ 
able selections of plants and careful man- 
agement, they may be made to contribute 
]il>erally to the attractions of the garden 
from the opening days of spring until the 
autumn season is within a measurable dis¬ 
tance of its dose. We have ample evidence 
of this at Hampton Court, where the l)or- 
der glows with colour from the time of 
early tulips until the latest of the 
A BEAUTIFUL FLOWEE BOEDER AT HAMPTON COURT, 
stances the effect produced is of a delight¬ 
ful character, but of short duration, 
owing to a failure to fully appreciate the 
importance of continuity in the plants 
selected. 
On the other hand, there may be seen in 
a few gardens borders so wanting in taste 
and attractiveness as to suggest that they 
had been regarded chiefly as receptacles for 
the surplus plants, rather than as an es¬ 
sential part of a decorative scheme. Pro¬ 
bably those who plant their mixed borders 
with such oddments that may remain at 
the close of other planting operations have 
a difficulty in raising stocks of the several 
kinds equal to their requirements; but 
that cannot be accepted as an excuse for 
unattractive mixtures where taste and 
beauty should attain a high degree. Diffi¬ 
culties associated wdth the flower garden, as 
in the case of all others, should be regarded 
as existing only for the purpose of being 
Composed of both tender and hardy plants. 
tions, or of great care in planting are, 
comparatively speaking, few in number, 
they are more than sufficient to justify 
attention being called to the fact that so 
far from this being the case, such borders 
may be made one of the most delightful 
features of the flower garden. The mixed 
flower borders to Which reference is now 
being made are not areas devoted to selec¬ 
tions of hardy perennials or tender plants, 
but borders in which both hardy and ten¬ 
der kinds ai'e growm in association. 
The magnificent border, herewith illus¬ 
trated, that flanks the northern half of 
the promenade at Hampton Court, may be 
taken as one of the finest examples that 
could be had of such borders. A border 
of this description is capable of consider¬ 
able modification, for, while admirably 
suited to its environment in the great gar¬ 
dens of which, annually, it forms so de¬ 
lightful a feature, it may be adapted to 
chrysanthemums are despoiled of then 
beauty by the unfavourable climatic 
conditions usually associated with drear 
November. , 
The chief aim in management shoukl c 
to maintain a continuous display of flowei^ 
over the longest possible period; jm 
closely following this should be the endea¬ 
vour to so arrange the subjects that they 
uill be either in harmony with, or 
a pleasing contrast to, each other. Iher 
is not, however, so much risk of unsa is- 
factory effects from weakness in the 
ciation of colours as is commonly assum 
to be the case, because the leaves i 
their various shades have a remarka 
effect in obliterating or . 
any defects arising from a failure to stuc . 
observe the rules governing colour con¬ 
trasts. . £ 
The arrangements for the production 
a display of flowers during the spn S 
