Traditional Danish Gardening
The skillful gardener employs numerous devices
to achieve a colorful flower bed or border. For example, by
planting spring flowering bulbs between and beneath other
flowers, each square foot of ground should give at least two
crops of bloom. Conversely, after spring bulbs, such as
daffodils and tulips, are through blooming, they may be inter
planted with annuals for summer bloom. As summer blooming
annuals go by in September, they can be followed by
chrysanthemum clumps transplanted from another part of the
garden. An orderly plan, made in advance, will simplify the
task of keeping the show going from season to season.
The kinds of fresh flower arrangements blooming
and greenplants you grow will be determined in a measure by the
amount of sunlight available. This will vary from bed to bed,
from one side of the house to the other. Most flowers will
thrive in full sun but a few require shade. Others are shade
tolerant, though doing better with a greater amount of
sunlight. So it is possible to have flowers in the shade of
trees, shrubs and buildings even where no direct sunlight
reaches. Such plants as ferns, many wild flowers, and begonias
have to be protected from the summer sun, for otherwise they
may sun-scorch. When making a plan, it is important to know how
tall each kind of flower grows so as not to plant tall growing
ones in front of low ones.
When making a plan, it is important to know how tall each
kind of flower grows so as not to plant tall growing ones in
front of low ones. The habit of growth should be known too, so
as not to crowd massive clumps like peonies next to smaller,
weaker growers such as peachleaf bellflowers; or sprawling
coreopsis next to a low, tufted Japanese primrose. Very rank
growers like the plume poppy and spreading Chinese lantern are
really best kept out of beds with other flowers altogether.
Much has been said and written about planning color schemes in
the garden. They are fascinating to think about, but often
difficult to work out. Do not be disconcerted if the results
are not as expected. Flowers have an irritating way of not
blooming just when they should, so that carefully planned
combinations may not materialize.
Colors vary too. Blues in catalogs are not always your idea
of blue. This goes for lavender, purple, red, pink, orange,
yellow and so on through the rainbow. In any case, there is
enough green foliage to subdue impossible color combinations.
Some people like to have their flowers in the front of the
house where they can be seen. Others prefer to enjoy them in
privacy. It is well to remember that in early spring and fall
the weather may not be conducive to outdoor enjoyment. Plant so
that cold weather bloom may be enjoyed from the warmth and
comfort of the home, using the windows as a means of access to
the garden. Flowers can also be planted so as to be seen from
the patio or picnic area. In every instance, a garden with a
pleasing pattern or design and an adequate background is more
satisfying than one without. The voice of experience is most
helpful in planning a garden. Sources of help are garden clubs
and friends and neighbors who may have had more garden
experience. Much can be learned from visiting other gardens at
home and on trips, nurseries, botanic gardens, arbore-tums and
well-landscaped parks. All this will add to your knowledge of
plants and how they grow.
Traditional Danish
Gardening
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