New-York tribune., 1876-09-30
THE FLOWER GARDEN.

STRIKING EFFECTS FROM C0LoRs AND sHRUBBERY-
NOTEWORTHY ExHIBrrs-GENERAL IMPRESSIONS
PRoDUCED-THE VISITORS.
IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 26.-The ornamental
gardening which is such attractive feature OF the
grounds about Horticultural Hail. seems TO be generally
noticed solely attempt to make pleasing Dit OF
landscape But ought be borne in mind that in the
compass OF these thirty forty large number of
American and foreign exhibitors displaying their
stock Separate plots have been allotted TO each noils
or nurseryman who has been allowed TO make his own
selection and arran cement within certain limits' Inc
season with its consuming drOuth and torrd heat mas
been trying and there also some appearances wmch
lead one to infer that the "made ground" oyeres an
irnperyious and perhaps imperfectly drained
subsoil. But whatever the hinderances to seeur-
ing the most striking artistic effects, the
results are most credaOe The prospect from the west
ern pOrticO OF Horticultural Hall is beyond comparison
the most attractive the grounds In front is line oil
color produced by beds Of flowers and bright foiaScd
plants set in long and depression below the
general level the sopng sides of which are carpeted
with the richest green This sunken parterre divides the
grounds two nearly equal parts and on either side
are wide sweeps Of lawn, dotted with trees shrnDs ana
herbaceous plants furnished by exhibitors In this depart
ment beside OF flowers and foliage most admra-
bly, grouped
Further to the right, with attempt at arrangement
hut most pleasing in is tropical vigo is the display OF
the Pacific Guano Company From tins elevated posi-
ton the observer enjoys the fun effect produced by the
varied outlines OF the different masses of flowers ana 10
age-an effect which is lost when the view is taken from
the level lawn All the plants have been 40 success
fully grown that hardly single variety has failed to de-
velcpno full accord with the hamonesof formand color
intended This decorative planting is encrced Dy SET
ting which highens all its effect To the left Is the ola
Landsdown Grove, above which can be seen the
statue crownng Memorial Hall; while glimpses
| NT,f, 1t7fllf Rnn
through the tree tops Further extends the entire
length Of Machinery Hall The whole scene, especially
in the late afternoon, is one to be remembered ana
effects are so striking and readily appreciated by per-
sons OF the most ordinary taste that it matter OK sur
prise and that it is neglected by so many visitors
1t ought to be added that these effects are not produced
by rare and costly plants but by artistic use OF the
mast inexpensive material The ordinary wlte-eayed
plants pyrethrum, coleus achyranthus, aernanhera
Gamma and striped arundo, together with Tie bloom OF
saliva splendens mot yet at best), viuca, and the
standard varieties of pink and scarlet geranums oonst
tute the staple plants of these piles Of color,
The collections of the different exhibitors demand
closer inspection OF course there large trees but
the nurserymen and florists Of the world have made
disulay which taken Altogether has never been ap-
preached in this country. Holland shows characters
TIC collection OF bulbs besides roses rhododendrons &c
From France there standard roses and striking
masses OF gadlOus, the perfection OF color but now
n
from England, including many rare and finely
orown specimens of cOniferOus evCr2reens to-
eetler with hollies and rhododendrOns in variety.
Lachaume OF Havana exhibits bewi!derng proinslon
OF eac;us-agave and succulents One OF the most III
sructive exhibits from own country the arbore
tum OF Thomas Meehn This embraces 75O distinct
varieties of hardy and shrubs and affords an op
portunty study and comparison Of species ard va
rees which is rarely enjoyed Selections Of choice
eyergrcens arc found the grounds Buist &
Hopes and 8. B. Parsons show unique COLLECTION OF
Japanese plants embracing notably many rare forms OF
maple One portion Of the allotment Of hessrs Miller
a. Hayes-a plot considerably longer than 1t Is wide
ia admirably arranged. In the center is mound,
upon the summit OF which Ia an azalia within
a sroup of cannas Around this is belt OF
pampas grass with its silver plunes now
fully displayed The next circle is rundo donax then
ribbon Of dark red and white foliage, and beyond TINS
slope OF turf with band Of cOCus for the outer circle
On both sides Of the mound smaller beds OF palms,
agayes, yuocas and succulents, with some fine single
specimens; while at the extremities OF the plot are
elumps of shrubbery consisting in the main OF the
choicer eyeTgreens Peter Henderson, whose space Ia
marked by the Of his firm glowing upon the lawn
in letters golden pyrethrum shows 200 varieties OF
geranm His plot is decorated with several Inc masses
of color one being a circle with tail cannas sur
rounded by caladiums and japanese eulalia'
with a ribbon border. Another is some
what similar, but shows circles of SALIVA and
abutilon with ter line OF silyereaved geTanums.
Geo Such wi election In Horticultural Hall Is SO
notable has characteristic group upon the lawn to
illustrate subtropca effects. line banana has been
cruelty dealt with by the Storm but there ore palr,
yuceas and masses OF luxurant foliage, and bed ot
succuents quite as interesting any the grounds.
Mr. siebrecht has bit OF rOck-wOrk admirably planned
and planted but 1t Is surrounded by much regularity
and color that its effect Is somewhat marred Hance
Son and many other exhibitors have collections worthy
of study as collections which visitors who are interested
in horticulture will not fail 10 find, besides the
magnificent single specimens scattered among the
groups.
The grounds especially rich In the rarer conifers
There are many choice plants of retinispOra, like the
huish,9ray X squarrOsa, the neleaycd r. llicOidcs,
r. psfera aurea, and X. leptOclada, some exquisite
speciinexs Of sciadoptys and arancara, with pines
spraccs, nrs, cedars, cypress, yew &c, In endless
variety from all parts Of the world The forms OF
beech birch en maple, and willow can all be studied
here and choice shrubs shown in profslOn Almost
every specimen is carefully labeled and visitors are not
warned of the grass, but allowed to make close
inspectop OF the various collection. IT is matter Of
remark that so people leave the walks to avail them
seys of tue latter privilege. Visitors may be so thor
oughly absorbed by the attractions inside the buildings
that they have no time TO devote the outdoor display,
or few perhaps are aware such display exists, or
IL NAV he true that tic number Of those who take in
felgent interest in horticultural affairs Is very nnlled
Against this latter suppCsOn the display Itself ls pro
test So much and enterprise on the part ol tlc
exhibitors argues healthy and prosperous BUS ness,
which only have for It's basis growing tasVe III
decorative gardening