June 12, 1909 



HORTICU UTURE, 



811 



Water Scenery in the Garden 



(See Cover Illustration.) 



Having in my previous article given the methods of 

 making a lake and supplying the water wherewith to 

 fill it, its inflow and overflow, I will touch now upon 

 the banks and adjacent area. The latter may per- 

 chance consist of land which has been under the plow; 

 but in the first place a path for pedestrians if the lake 

 or water course be but small in extent, will appear an 

 essential feature, if not a necessary one. In that case a 

 width of 5 feet would be required, and the path may in a 

 general way follow the windings of the lake shore. 

 These are however, details that admit of great diversity 

 of treatment, depending on local conditions, the land- 

 scape views, and other things. If a lake be of great ex- 

 tent, as may be the case when an earthen dam built 

 across a narrow natural hollow encloses a space of many 

 acres, it may be advisable to make a road that may be 

 driven over. Then the cost is so much greater, owing 

 to the need of a foot-deep foundation of hard materials, 

 as well as good sound coating of gravel or finely broken 

 hard stone and a final layer of sifted gravel, seashell, or 

 of sea sand. This last is excellent, surfacing material, 

 as, by the use of the Dutch, or Planet hoes, and a fresh- 

 ening with sand once every fourth or fiftli year the sur- 

 face can be maintained in a presentable condition for 

 any number of years, and aft'ord pleasant walking, rid- 

 ing and driving. I am reminded of many miles of such 

 roads on private estates which are still serviceable al- 

 though they were made a hundred or more years ago. 



As no piece of water can be considered perfect with- 

 out trees and shrubs on its banks and for some con- 

 siderable distance beyond these, we come to the point 

 when the planter must be called into consultation, as to 

 the species to be planted and in what manner — a very 

 important matter. It may be stated as an axiom that 

 on the south or sunny side on all land in the northern 

 hemisphere, not much of anything higher in growth than 

 5 feet may be planted within fifty yards of the water. 

 To do otherwise would be to darken the surface of the 

 water, and thus render gloomy what should be kept 

 cheerfully glistening and bright ; and even on the west 

 side the planting of anything that grows to a great 

 height or any dense grouping should be avoided close 

 to the bank, unless it be for the purpose of making "sur- 

 prise" views, at certain parts. Coniferous plants, such 

 as Thujas, Cupressus, Juniperus, Eetinosporas, have 

 good effects if planted in groups of one species, or of 

 several; as these if set at distances of 4 to 5 feet asun- 

 der, make close masses in a few years. 



Around large pieces of water say of fifty or more 

 acres almost any kind of tree suitable to the climate may 

 be planted in more or less proximity to the same with 

 the certainty of the effects being desirable for either in 

 summer, autumn or winter. Some may be chosen for 

 their fine leaves and handsome flowers as Catalpa big- 

 noniodes, and C. b. aurea for the sake mainly of its yel- 



lowish leaves; B. speciosa, and, in the warmer states 

 the Japanese B. Kaempferii; Panlownia imperialis, a 

 species with very large leaves, and purple gloxinia-like 

 flowers, Kolreuteria paniculata, Crataegus in many spe- 

 cies and varieties — as C. Crusgalli, of which there are in 

 the nurserymen's list some six or eight varieties, all de- 

 sirable for flower or fruit : C. Douglasii, C. nigra, C. oxy- 

 acantha, especially the pink flowered varieties, and 

 Paul's double-flowered, scarlet thorn; Robina hispida 

 and R. h. maerophylla; Sophora Japonica, and S. J. 

 pendula, a remarkable looking subject, very hardy and 

 well adapted by its habit of growth for planting near the 

 water ; Hippoph® rhamnoides fcfimina and H. r. mascula, 

 the former being covered with masses of orange red 

 fruits in the autumn and winter months; the latter 

 should be planted near it in order to secure a crop of 

 fruits. Many of the maples are most desirable water- 

 side plants including the Japanese species and their 

 varieties where the climate favors. Acer platanoides 

 laeiniatum, A. p. Eeitenbachii, A. p. Schwedleri, A. 

 rubrum. A. saccharinum, A. tartaricum, A. colchicum 

 aureum, A. c. rubnmi, and A. striatum are capital pic- 

 ture trees, mostly growing of moderate dimensions in 

 good soil, and they possess distinct characteristics in the 

 form and color of their foliage. The Pavias, a subsec- 

 tion of Aesculus should not be omitted if space allows 

 and P. macrostachya with its spikes of white flowers is 

 an excellent subject as a bush of six to eight feet high 

 for planting near the borders of a lake. Of the taller 

 growing Pavias, I cannot write too highly of P. rubi- 

 cunda, P. discolor, and P. rubra. The common horse- 

 chestnut in its several varieties looks well by the water. 

 The alders should not be omitted, especially telling being 

 the varieties of Alnus glutinosa which differ in the form 

 and color of the leaves. They do best planted with their 

 roots within reach of the water, and may be treated as 

 trees with one stem, or as bushes, cut down to the 

 ground after a few years growth. As solitary specimens 

 — to be employed at rare intervals Fagus purpurea and 

 F. p. pendula may be recommended for planting near 

 to the water. 



As suitable waterside trees the poplars have an 

 acknowledged position, and for lakes of limited area 

 Abele alba, A. argentea and A. Bolliana are among the 

 smaller growing species; P. balsamifera and P. mono- 

 lifera and the varieties of this last are more vigorous, 

 and they reach very large sizes, too overpowering for any 

 but the most spacious grounds. The oaks of North 

 Aiuerica offer in the splendid coloring of the foliage and 

 their ample dimensions some of the finest material for 

 waterside planting, very effective either placed singly or 

 in groups of several trees ; but they must have plenty of 

 space in order to show their grand crowns to advantage. 



London, Eng. 



(To he continued) 



