RHS New Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers

The Flower Expert

From the 'Handy Book of the Flower-Garden' (1868) by David Thomson

>  First page of Introduction to the Victorian Flower Garden

Another important consideration, in prospectively contemplating improvement, lies in the undue amount of extent, on which, in many instances, flower-gardening is attempted to be carried out. Proprietors and gardeners, too, are alike in fault in this matter, - the one from the idea of enlarging the sources of their enjoyment, the other with the view of getting more scope for displaying their taste and skill. Instead of realizing this, it may perhaps be considered bold to say that few things would tend so much to the improvement of flower-gardening, in a general way, as that the area over which it is attempted should be reduced by one-third. Surely it is more desirable to have fifty beds about a place well filled and arranged with choice plants, than twice that number made up indifferently. And then there is the most important matter of dress and high-keeping the whole season, than which there is not anything else that so much affects the enjoyment and comfort of all concerned. The greatest possible amount of flower-gardening cannot be pleasing, or contribute to the enjoyment of ladies and gentlemen with any pretence to refined taste, unless a high state of cultivation and neatness prevail. Half the number of plants, with the same amount of labour properly applied, would be more certain to minister enjoyment, and tend to advance the art. One bed of flowers may be made to attract more attention and cause more admiration than a great number; and the smaller groups of beds may be made far more attractive than the larger, if attempted with the same means. Flower-gardens are not to be disapproved of merely because they are large. The larger the better, if the means allowed be in proportion. What is contended for is, that a small garden, well arranged and highly kept, must, in the nature of things, be far more productive of enjoyment, and tend more to the advancement of the art, than a larger one, out of proportion to the means of its owner, and consequently badly kept.

Another matter which would tend greatly to advancement is. that one of the elementary and important principles of flower-gardening - namely, the harmonizing and contrasting of colours - should be more studied than it is. There are few things more certain than that any one who attempts to arrange plants in a flower-garden without a knowledge of the general principles upon which the harmonizing and contrasting of colours are founded, will make mistakes. This is maintainable as a general rule. At the same time, there are some combinations that set the laws of colour at defiance, and are yet most pleasing. There is nothing easier than to become conversant with this subject; and it is my intention to show how the harmony and contrast of colours can be easily decided by those who have not hitherto studied the matter.

Good Gardens by Design: The Principles of Classic Planning and Plant Selection