510 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  ANL  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  5,  1901. 
Chrysanthemum  Croups. 
Chrysanthemum  groups,  as  a  rule,  are  not  what  one  pauses  to 
admire  for  very  long.  There  is  generally  a  deadly  sameness 
about  them — they  all  follow  the  orthodox  conical  build,  and  are 
piled-up,  as  evenly  as  the  exhibitor’s  eyes  allow  him  to  be  judge, 
in  this  direction.  We  require  a  “  break  away,”  and  a  greater 
mixture  of  large  Japanese  flowers  or  flowering  plants,  with  the 
purely  decorative  singles,  spidery  varieties,  pompons,  and  other 
forms.  All  who  saw  Messrs.  Wells’  group  at  the  Royal  Horticul¬ 
tural  Society’s  Drill  Hall  meeting,  on  October  29,  will  be  able  to 
picture  the  style  of  Chrysanthemum  group  that  we  allude  to. 
Here  the  flowers  and  plants  were  good,  to  start  with  (as  they  are 
also  in  the  accompanying  illustration),  but,  having  more  space 
to  work  out  their  idea,  and  having  varieties  of  all  sections 
of  the  flower  Messrs.  Wells  contrived  to  furnish  such  a 
group  as  kept  the  visitors  in  a  state  of  the  highest  delight  with 
the  effort. 
Then  there  are  the  fountain  groups,  known  to  all  frequenters 
of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society’s  exhibitions  in  the 
Royal  Aquarium  at  Westminster;  and  yet  these  are  not  always 
what  they  ought  to  be — that  is,  fine,  graceful,  bright,  varied,  and 
unmistakeably  beautiful.  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones  and  others  labour 
skill  and  patience  on  their  Chrysanthemum  groups,  and  the  result 
is — what?  They  produce  a  blending  of  forms  and  colours  that 
cannot  fail  to  charm  all  who  have  the  good  fortune  to  see  such 
groups.  The  committees  who  draw  up  the  regulations  and 
arrange  the  classes  ought,  so  far  as  is  practicable  with  the  space 
they  may  have  at  disposal,  to  allow  a  much  larger  amount  of  space 
than  they  usually  do  for  groups.  Rather  do  away  with  other 
classes,  but  let  us  have  beautiful  shows. 
The  photograph  of  the  group  on  page  511  was  sent  by  Mr. 
Robert  Craigie,  The  Gardens,  Weston  Hall,  Otley,  York¬ 
shire,  who  also  sends  the  following  letter: — “Having  seen 
some  comments  on  stiffness  in  Chrysanthemum  groups  in 
a  recent  number  of  the  Journal,  I  forward  a  photograph 
of  the  group  I  had  at  Otley  Chrysanthemum  Show  on 
the  13th  of  November.  The  group  was  arranged  in  a  semi¬ 
circle  of  50  square  feet,  including  a  margin  of  foliage  plants, 
and  wras  lift  high  at  the  back.  The  plants  were  chiefly  grown  in 
6in  and  7in  pots,  and  had  fresh  and  fully  developed  flowers  quite 
fit  for  a  show  board.  The  groups  are  judged  by  points,  and  the 
judges  awarded  me  the  maximum  for  quality  of  bloom,  and  one 
point  short  of  the  maximum  for  freedom  and  diversity  of  arrange¬ 
ment.—  P.S.  Perhaps  you  will  excuse  me  for  adding  that  the 
notes  on  timing  by  ‘  E.  D.  S.’  in  the  Journal,  practically  agree 
with  my  experience  here,  and  his  advice  on  feeding  is  sound,  for 
more  Chrysanthemums  are  ruined  by  over-feeding  than  from  all 
other  causes  put  together. — Robert  Ckaigee.” 
Blooms  Arranged  with  Foliage  and  Plants. 
Chrysanthemum  blooms  of  various  sizes,  types,  and  colours 
lend  themselves  readily  to  various  schemes  of  decoration,  espe¬ 
cially  when  they  can  be  associated  with  tasteful  sprays  of  foliage 
and  fronds  of  Ferns.  The  chief  point  in  their  arrangement  is 
to  use  them  more  or  less  sparingly,  and  not  set  them  up  stiffly. 
For  this  reason  the  larger  blooms  are  not  nearly  so  useful  as 
those  of  smaller  and  medium  size,  which  have  a  far  more  graoeful 
appearance  in  any  floral  conception.  The  single  and  pompon 
varieties  are,  perhaps,  the  best  of  all.  They  lack  the  heavy 
character  of  the  big  blooms,  and  when  they  can  be  employed 
in  a  fresh,  bright  condition  cannot  be  surpassed. 
The  effect  of  an  arrangement  of  cut  blooms  and  foliage  may 
be  considerably  enhanced  if  a  good  base  of  moss  is  used,  and  a 
few  graceful  Palms  in  pots  or  other  suitable  foliage  plants 
are  interspersed  among.  A  good  deal  may  be  done  with  a  base 
of  moss,  fresh,  green,  and  damp  sphagnum  being  the  best.  For 
an  arrangement  on  a  large  tray,  3ft  or  4ft  square,  the  centre 
might  be  occupied  by  a  good  Palm.  Cocos  Weddelliana  is  one 
of  the  best  for  this  purpose,  but  a  little  variety  should  be  en¬ 
couraged.  The  Cocos  being  one  of  the  handsomest  Palms  when 
growing  in  small  pots,  this  variety  should  be  utilised  for  positions 
at  the  corners  or  sides  of  the  arrangement,  employing  for  the 
centre  either  a  larger  plant  of  this  variety,  or  another  Palm, 
such  as  a  Kentia. 
Small  Crotons  and  Dracaenas  are  also  permissible  in  the 
arrangement.  Small  pots  of  Pteris  serrulata  and  Adiantum 
cuneatum  may  be  placed  on  the  sphagnum.  The  Chrysan¬ 
themums,  tastefully  arranged  in  vases  which  will  not  hold  too 
many  blooms,  completes  the  arrangement.  The  blooms  look  all 
the  better  when  they  can  stand  clear  of  each  other.  To  ensure 
this,  place  the  stems  through  an  arrangement  of  wire  netting 
placed  convex  form  on  the  mouth  of  the  vase.  The  ends  should 
touch  water  to  keep  the  blooms  fresh  as  long  as  possible.  The 
border  of  the  tray  may  be  treated  with  long  sprays  of  Smilax  and 
Asparagus  Sprengeri. 
As  a  variation  from  the  foregoing,  have  a  central  vase  of 
Chrysanthemums,  with  a  Palm  in  centre  of  vase,  the  blooms  of 
Chrysanthemums,  which  may  be  large,  being  arranged  thinly^ 
and  interspersed  with  the  foliage  of  Crotons,  Pteris,  Eulalia, 
Adiantum,  and  Asparagus.  Plants  of  the  latter  in  small  pots, 
with  Palms,  Dracaenas,  and  Caladium  Argyrites  occupying  the 
remaining  space,  introducing  a  few  blooms  of  small  crimson 
Chrysanthemums . 
White  and  yellow  Chrysanthemums  mixed  with  Honesty  pods, 
Eulalia,  and  Asparagus  might  form  the  contents  of  a  central  vase, 
smaller  glasses  of  Chrysanthemums,  each  mixed  with  light  foliage, 
completing  the  remainder,  the  whole  having  a  mossy  base,  edged 
with  trailing  stems  of  Smilax. 
Moss  also  serves  as  a  good  base  for  laying  upon  it  small  blooms 
of  Chrysanthemums  having  bright  colour.  A  central  vase  might 
contain  single  and  thread-petalled  varieties,  intermixed  with 
Ferns,  Eulalia,  Adiantum,  and  smaller  glasses  of  mixed  Chrys¬ 
anthemums,  Ferns,  and  foliage.  With  a  deft  hand,  a  tasteful 
eye,  and  suitable  material,  much  originality  in  designing  com¬ 
binations  is  possible.  Coloured  berries  and  leaves  are  of  great 
assistance,  and  Grasses  always  produce  good  effects,  and  should' 
be  largely  employed  in  decorative  arrangements  of  cut  blooms. 
Colour  in  the  Garden. 
To  appreciate  colour  effect,  and  to  distinguish  between 
what  is  good  and  what  is  otherwise,  does  not  yet  appear 
to  belong  to  the  majority  of  the  gardening  fraternity. 
If  it  did  we  should  see  more  discernment  in  colour 
choice,  and  florists  would  not  continue  to  send  out 
so  many  ugly  coloured  new  varieties  as  they  do  annually. 
We  have  too  many  washy  tints,  too  many  suffused  flowers,  too 
many  spotted,  striped,  and  indescribable  colours.  The  colour* 
that  please  and  impress  are  pure,  rich,  brilliant,  or  soft.  Two 
analogous  tints  in  one  flower  are,  to  my  judgment  and  taste, 
neither  pleasing  nor  delightful,  just  as  two  primary  colours 
of  the  same  tone  together,  are  more  or  less  objectionable.  “  This 
wretched  copying,”  is  a  remark  uttered  by  a  baronet  to  hig 
gardener  a  short  time  ago,  and  how  true  it  is  we  may  see  in 
gardens  in  any  particular  district.  The  same  plants,  the  same 
style  of  arrangement,  meets  one’s  view.  I  have  been  wondering 
why,  and  I  have  not  yet  hit  upon  any  solution.  Why  do  we 
continue  to  edge  beds  and  borders  with  continuous  single  rows 
of  dwarf  edging  plants,  and  sometimes,  as  with  blue  Lobelia, 
which  is  a  violent  contrast  to  the  green  turf  ? 
The  blending  of  harmonious  colour  is  most  difficult  to  carry 
out  in  its  proper  gradation  in  the  flower  garden ;  but  we  can 
avoid  violent  contrasts  by  having  beds  of  one  variety  of  plant. 
Quite  recently  I  saw  a  dozen  varieties  of  herbaceous  Phloxes 
sent  away  by  a  nurseryman  as  sample  varieties  to  choose  from, 
not  one  of  which  were  other  than  objectionable  dull  reds,  washed- 
out  mauves,  and  magentas.  And  what  is  finer  in  effect  than  the 
pure  white  Phloxes  in  bold  masses,  as  I  saw  it  this  summer  in 
the  public  gardens  of  a  moderate-sized  north  country  town?  A 
large  bed  of  it  interspersed  with  clumps  of  Spirea  Aruncus, 
flowering  in  June,  was  splendid.  Then  in  August  and  Sep¬ 
tember,  along  with  Galtonia  candicans,  and  Gladiolus 
Gandavensis,  were  dotted  here  and  there  amongst  Phloxes.  What 
is  better?  The  system,  all  too  prevalent,  of  planting  out  single 
plants,  instead  of  bold  irregulars,  clumps,  and  masses,  is  also 
contrary  to  Nature’s  plan.  Amongst  the  Antirrhinums  there 
are  streaked,  splashed,  and  mottled  flowers.  The  pure  whites 
and  lemon  “  seifs  ”  are  really  effective  in  beds  and  borders,  being 
also  useful  as  cut  flowers,  for  they  last  well.  I  have  used  them 
in  wide-mouthed  vases  and  bell-shaped  glasses  with  capital  effect. 
Cactus  Dahlias  are  gems  for  colour,  but  we  invariably  see 
them  in  straight  lines  instead  of  in  groups.  Amongst  my 
favourites  are  the  old  Juarezi,  Glare  of  the  Garden,  Kynerith, 
Countess  of  Radnor,  and  Countess  of  Pembroke.  Pentstemons' 
sometimes  require  careful  selecting.  The  small-flowered  red 
variety,  named  Newbury  Gem,  may  be  brought  under  notice  as 
being  striking  and  distinct  when  in  large  round  beds.  Single- 
flowered,  tuberous-rooted  Begonias  are  idealistic  in  colour,  and 
they  stand  so  well,  and  are  useful  as  cut  flowers  for  the  dinner 
table.  Let  us  have  beds  of  these  in  one  colour,  either  crimson, 
yellow,  orange,  or  ’white,  and  our  flower  gardens  will  have  irre¬ 
sistible  charms.  The  semperflorens  varieties  of  fibrous-rooted 
Begonias  I  do  not  much  care  for.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  cannot 
be  dispensed  with  for  brilliant  colour  effect,  and  annual  Aster*- 
