NOVEMBER. 333 



they afford to the mansion they embower, as well as improving the 

 general scenery of the locality. Under almost every arrangement of 

 ornamental planting we would keep each class separate. Groups of 

 flowering shrubs and ornamental leaved plants may be introduced under 

 certain restrictions in the foreground of planting intended to be backed 

 by evergreens ; but they should not interfere with any landscape feature 

 it is desirable the evergreens should assume, so that, while adding 

 to the interest of the whole during summer, they will not detract from 

 it in the winter, when their own powers of pleasing are over. What 

 more effectual means (where a certain amount of colour is required at 

 particular seasons) is there of showing to advantage the glowing tints 

 of the Azalea, or the graceful forms of some species of Spiraea, or the 

 rich scarlet pervading the dying leaves of the Sumach, than a deep 

 background of evergreens, provided these latter are planted so as to employ 

 the foreground ot deciduous shrubs to assist merely in giving the 

 colour wanted, without weakening the effect of the evergreen masses 

 behind them in winter. 



But there are very few places or situations where the massing or 

 planting of deciduous trees and shrubs by themselves cannot be carried 

 out, and then it is we see how completely they are suited for producing 

 the most striking display of flowers and foliage in their season. Such 

 combinations should not be introduced in sight of the principal windows 

 of the mansion, for the reason, that groups of this character will have a 

 cold and somewhat formal appearance during winter, owing to the naked 

 ground which would be visible on the margin of their foreground. 

 But in their proper situation, as an ornament to the pleasure grounds 

 or shrubbery, what a rich glow of colour may be produced by selecting 

 the most showy species of Azalea, Spiraea, Hibiscus, Syringa, Cytisus, 

 Genista, Cistus, Amygdalus, Ribes, Wistaria, Weigela, Lonicera, 

 Magnolias, &c, and grouping them with Acers, Acacias, Cercis, 

 Aralias, the Leycesteria, Rhus, Quercus, Liriodendrons, Edwardsias, 

 Koelreuteria, &c, with aforeground of Hypericums, tree and common 

 Pseonies, Helianthemums, dwarf Cistus, and Clematis (pegged down), 

 with occasional patches of Roses. We have never seen this tried on 

 the large scale the plan deserves, but groups of this character would 

 unquestionably produce during summer and autumn a grand effect ; 

 while by careful attention to the time of flowering, and the height and 

 habit of each species, the utmost harmony might be kept up, and 

 the groups made to assume any particular outline called for by the 

 natural or artificial character of the surrounding scenery. 



To carry out this system to its highest limits, as regards the pro- 

 duction of bloom, good culture would be necessary. Many of the 

 species, to grow them well, require liberal manurings ; others, as the 

 Azaleas, a particular soil; and some, annual prunings. These are 

 points which are, however, easily managed, and common to all kinds of 

 gardening. 



While the above system would constitute a principal feature of the 

 summer garden, evergreens alone would furnish the winter and early 

 spring scenery with the grandest exhibition, and one giving more 

 characteristic expression to the grounds ; for, by studying the outline 



