THE USE OF ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS FOR DECORATING 



PRIVATE GROUNDS. 



By V. V. Westgate, University of Nebraska. 



After a man lias built his liouse and otlier necessary buildings, 

 It is advisable for him to turn his attention toward beautifying the 

 grounds about these buildings, in order that the entire effect of his 

 premises will be as beautiful as possible. Grass seed has to be sown 

 and trees and ornamental shrubs planted. In order for these plantings 

 to be well executed, it is very necessary that a plan of the grounds be 

 made, which will show where each tree or group of shrubs should be 

 placed. All good houses are built according to a plan which an architect 

 has designed. The ground planting should likewise, although with less 

 exactness, conform to a definite idea or plan. Each tree or shrub 

 should be so located, in order that it will not hinder a good view to or 

 from the house, when it becomes full grown. Many other ideas have 

 to be worked out or otherwise the grounds, as a whole, can never be as 

 effective as they would have been if properly mapped out. 



Of course, it seems very natural that the more permanent a thing is 

 to be, the greater care should be taken in selecting a place for it. For 

 this reason, it is not as important that one be as exact in planting annual 

 flowers, which grow to maturity, bloom and die in a single season, as for 

 plants that survive for many years. If the planting of annuals does not 

 suit the taste of a person one year, he can change the style, somewhat, 

 the following year. We may consider that the lawn, trees and shrubs 

 form a relatively unchangeable frame work, whereas the annual flowering 

 plants give the trimming that may be altered every year, if so desired. 



But, nevertheless, there are certain rules which have to be observed 

 in order to be successful in arranging and growing annual flowers. In 

 the first place, never place a flower bed of annuals, or any other kind of 

 flowers, in the center of a good lawn, for the lawn itself is not only in- 

 jured by it but the scenic effect of that portion of the grounds is lessened. 

 A nice lawn, when properly tended, gives a much finer setting to a place 

 than any number of flowers. The bulk of annual flowering plants should 

 he placed in the background or along the shrubbery border. If used 

 in beds, locate the beds near to one side of the lawn or in the rear. Most 

 annual flowers, however, are not so effective when placed in formal beds 

 because of their straggly habit. In choosing such flowers for bedding 

 purpose, we should decide on those which are neither too straggly nor 

 too formal. A gaudy carpet or design bed should never be used for 

 decorating private grounds. Such things are in reality freaks and should 



