302 THE FLORIST. 



with which our nurseries aud private gardens abound, under some 

 combination which should show their capability for producing artistic 

 effects vastly superior to anything our shrubberies or park plantings 

 can produce. In Germany, where there are only a lew evergreens 

 which will stand the severity of their winters, German gardeners 

 have the art of massing their deciduous shrubs most admirably in 

 reference to their habit and colour, and by such means produce striking 

 combinations and contrasts, even with the most common flowering shrubs. 

 Let us ask the question whether, if the same attention, and the same 

 amount of thought and discussion, had been bestowed on planting, as 

 an art, as has been given to the designing and planting of modern 

 flower-gardens, British plantations would not take a much higher 

 position, as artistic creations, than can now be awarded them ? We 

 think so. But the modern mania for flower-gardens with stripes and 

 ribands and edgings, ad infinitum, has diverted attention from a most 

 important point of gardening. Gay- coloured flower-gardens are all 

 very well when not overdone, as we so frequently see is the case ; but we 

 must remind our readers, that ornamental planting is capable of pro- 

 ducing effects far more pleasing and lasting than even the beautiful 

 productions of the flower-garden, however well disposed. 



Let us look, for example, at what is called a shrubbery, or garden 

 plantation, and which may be met with almost anywhere, and we shall 

 find a pretty regular mixture of evergreens and deciduous shrubs, the 

 latter represented largely by Laburnums, Sumachs, Lilacs, Syringas, 

 Spirteas, &c. ; while of the former, Portugal and common Laurel, 

 Laurestinus, Mahonias, Phillyreas, Arbutus, and Hollies, will form 

 the greater portion. Plant the tallest plants at the back, if it is a belt, 

 or in the centre, if a group, and the lowest at the front, and divide the 

 evergreens and deciduous plants regularly throughout, and you have a 

 good idea of ornamental planting, as generally witnessed, and of orna- 

 mental plants, exclusive of Conifers and American plants. 



To us it appears that planting, whether intended to form a decorative 

 feature in dressed grounds, or simply as blinds to block out the 

 objectionable parts, should be considered in a two- fold character: 

 First, as furnishing or clothing the surface of the ground, so as to give 

 it a certain character or expression, as well as to back up and support 

 any architectural features which may be present ; and, secondly, as 

 showing the individuality of trees and shrubs as to habit and outline, 

 and their capability for producing a certain effect, either through massing 

 individual or different species together, as the case may require, to form 

 the whole or parts only of the scenery. And so with colour, in which 

 both deciduous and evergreen trees present an almost endless variety of 

 shades, which, when arranged with the hand of taste, may be worked 

 up, either in combination or contrast, so as to complete the pictorial effect 

 of the whole. 



It must be obvious to the most casual observer that there is a some- 

 thing in the habit and appearance of deciduous plants — indefinable, 

 perhaps — but which prevents their harmonising with evergreens, when 

 planted together ; and that the want of this harmony should teach us 

 that, to produce the most powerful effects with each class, in forming 

 landscape scenery, each should be planted separately. 

 {To be continued.) 



