Chapter XXVII: Section I

548. The applications I propose to make are of two kinds: the one relating particularly to the arrangement of plants in gardens, according to the colour of the flowers; the other, to the method of distributing and planting ligneous plants in masses, which I suppose to have been previously planned. Doubtless, I need not have discussed the latter subject, but I have been led to it so naturally, and the rules which guided me are so positive and simple, that I have no doubt of their proving profitable to those of my readers who follow them in laying out plantations, &c.

The artist who conducts these operations is called a Gardener, or Landscape Gardener.

ON THE ART OF ARRANGING ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN GARDENS
SO AS TO DERIVE THE GREATEST POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE
FROM THE COLOURS OF THEIR FLOWERS.

549. Among the pleasures afforded us by the cultivation of choice plants, there are few so intense as the sight of a collection of flowers, varied in colour, form, size, and position. It is probably because we admire the plants individually, and become attached to them on account of the pains they cost us, that we have hitherto so generally neglected to dispose them in such a manner as to produce the best possible effect when their flowers are seen collectively.

Thus, no defect is more common than that of the _proportion_ in which flowers of similar colours are distributed in a garden. Sometimes the eye is struck by blue or white, sometimes it is dazzled by yellow. Add to this defect of proportion, the ill effect produced by placing together many species of flowers, which, although of the same colour, are not of the same tint: for instance, in spring we see the leopard’s bane (_doronica_), of a brilliant golden yellow, side by side with the narcissus, which is of a pale greenish yellow; in autumn, the Indian pink beside the African marigold, dahlias of various reds grouped together, &c.

Such arrangements as these cause the eye, accustomed to appreciate the effects of contrast of colours, to feel sensations quite as disagreeable as those experienced by the musician whose ear is struck with discords.

550. Previously to my observations on simultaneous contrast, and the demonstration of the law which governs it, it was impossible to prescribe rules which, by instructing horticulturists to place, with certainty of success, flowers in proximity whose colours reciprocally enhance each other, enabled them to avoid either the monotony resulting from the grouping of flowers of the same colour, or the disagreeable effect of a collection of flowers whose hues are mutually injurious.

ASSORTMENTS OF FLOWERS,

_Where the Plants are apart._

551. The associations of flowers which relate to the harmonies of contrast of colour, are first, those with colours mutually complementary to each other; such as blue with orange, or yellow with violet. Rose or red flowers contrast with their own leaves.

552. White flowers accord more or less favourably with blue and orange flowers, already allied together; and perfectly with rose or red flowers, but not so well with yellow or violet flowers, already allied. White associates much less favourably when the latter is brighter or greener.

White flowers are the only ones that possess the advantage of heightening light tones of any colour, and of separating those whose colours are mutually injurious.

553. Yellow flowers, especially those which incline to orange, accord very well with blue ones.

Flowers of a yellow, more green than orange, have a very good effect with flowers of a red inclining to blue, rather than to orange.

Deep red flowers accord well with deep-blue flowers.

Orange flowers are not misplaced near violet flowers.

ASSORTMENTS RELATING TO THE HARMONIES OF CONTRAST OF HUES.

554. It is so difficult to make associations of hues which will have a satisfactory effect, that I prescribe _in general_ the mutual association of flowers whose colours belong to neighbouring scales.

We must then separate

Pink flowers from those that are either Scarlet or Crimson.
Orange ” ” Orange-yellow,
Yellow ” ” Greenish-yellow,

I shall even go further in advising the separation of—
Red flowers from Orange, Blue or Pink from Violet.

_Where the Plants are indiscriminately mixed._

555. Flowers which only present contrasts of hues and which spring from seeds sown thickly in borders, or in beds, will not have the same objection as when the roots are planted at a distance from each other.

556. Flowers, presenting a disagreeable contrast of hues, may still produce a good effect, when their assortment makes part of an arrangement of contrasts of colours, strongly opposed; in this case being no longer seen isolated, they become in a manner the element of a picture.