Page:The Wild Garden William Robinson.djvu/29

 sparsely dotted through masses of Rhododendrons as I recommend, their flowers are admired more than if they were in isolated showy masses ; when they pass out of bloom they are unnoticed amidst the vegetation, and not eyesores, as when in rigid unrelieved tufts in borders, &c. In a wild or semi-wild state, the beauty of individual species will proclaim itself when at its height ; and when passed out of bloom, they will be succeeded by other kinds, or lost among the numerous objects around. Fourthly, because it will enable us to grow hundreds of plants that have never yet obtained a place in our "trim gardens," nor ever will be admitted therein. I allude to the multitudes of plants which, not being so showy as those usually considered worthy of a place in gardens, are never seen there. The flowers of many of these are of the highest order of beauty, especially when seen in numbers. An isolated tuft of one of these, seen in a formal border, may not be considered worthy of a place at any time — in some wild glade, in a wood, associated with other subjects, its eflfect may be exquisite. We do not usually cultivate Gorse or Buttercups, yet Mr. Wallace, the distinguished naturalist and traveller, says — "During twelve years spent amidst the grandest tropical vegetation, I have