A bed of mixed lilies, in which all kinds were grown together, would look simply ridiculous. To have L. Giganteum, ten feet high, next door to L. Rubellum, of scarcely half as many inches, would be absurd. You must think of the general look of your garden. You must have pleasing contrasts of colour, and the plants arranged according to their height or method of growth.
One of the most beautiful sights that we have ever seen was a garden in Middlesex in which the path leading from the gate to the house was lined on either side with a border of very fine L. Candidum. The effect of the long lines of pure white blossoms was exceedingly fine, but unfortunately this lily is only in flower for about one month of the year. Still no one would grumble at having to wait eleven months if such a splendid effect could be obtained, even if it lasts but a twelfth of the year.
Have you ever seen a bed of L. Monadelphum at the back of the tropical palm-house at Kew? Last year it was a sight never to be forgotten. The lilies were grown in a bed of small azaleas, the green of whose foliage was a beautiful set-off to the gorgeous heads of blossoms which towered three or four feet above the carpet of foliage. There are other beds like this one planted with different sorts of lilies, but only one species is present in each bed. In one bed L. Brownii, in another L. Croceum, and in others again the various varieties of L. Auratum arrested the attention. All were perfect in their way, but none of them gave us such keen delight as this bed of L. Monadelphum.
A large clump of lilies of one variety is always a pleasing sight, and so is a solitary lily rearing up its head high above the other occupants of the flower bed. A small hillock covered with L. Longiflorum, or the side of a stream with the lofty L. Pardalinum is also very beautiful.
When you wish to grow various kinds of lilies in the same bed, a good deal of taste and experience is needed to produce a perfect effect. A gradation in height from the centre to the borders is necessary. Tall lilies planted at the edges of the bed are out of place, whilst the dwarfer lilies are insignificant in the centre. Lilies in the ground flower from April till November, and so a succession of these plants can be obtained throughout the late spring, the summer and the autumn. For artistic effects you must be careful not to place lilies of nearly the same colour together. Never, for instance, place L. Pomponium near to the red varieties of L. Elegans, else the effect is harsh and displeasing. A mixed border of L. Candidum and L. Chalcedonicum produces a fine effect, especially if both plants flower at the same time.[2]
Another fine picture can be caused by a mixed border of L. Longiflorum with the late red varieties of Lilium Elegans.
A considerable amount of taste can be shown in the proper grouping of lilies, and the flower-grower who likes constant variety can satisfy his desire by altering the arrangement from year to year.
(To be continued.)