808 



H OM1 CULTURE 



August 26, L911 



PARK GARDENING. 



Read before the Florists' Club of Phila- 

 delphia, August 1st. by Xavler i: i 

 Scbmltt 



To cover the subject of park garden- 

 ing or park ornamentation would re- 

 quire a much more exhaustive essay 

 than the time allotted me would per- 

 mit, for in no sphere in which the gar- 

 dener or superintendent is interested, 

 is there a greater opportunity tor di- 

 versity, from a horticultural stand- 

 point. 



In years gone bj the park was a por- 

 tion of territory sit aside for the ad- 

 miration of the passer-by and rarely 

 was it permissible to divert from the 

 pai lis or roads and commit the sin of 

 walking on the grass or even to step 

 near some shrub or plant to make 

 close inspection. Fortunately the rank 

 and file of the public who are suffi- 

 ly interested in our public parks 

 and pleasure grounds are now accord- 

 ed every opportunity to make a study 

 Of plants and trees to their satisfaction, 

 which has been a great uplift to the 

 public at large, because of the educa- 

 tional feature as well as recreation. 



In view of this tendency and desir- 

 ing to interest the public in our parks 

 we must cater to their wants, or rather 

 introduce new features in floral ef- 

 fects to make our parks and pleasure 

 grounds inviting. Much is being done 

 to use every available space in the 

 heart of the cities in establishing rec- 

 reation parks and breathing spots for 

 those who will avail themselves of the 

 privilege of using that which the au- 

 thorities feel have become essential 

 factors for the welfare and comfort of 

 its citizens. 



Park ornamental gardening has been 

 for many years a set form, i.e. carpet 

 bedding of high coloring, long lines of 

 strong contrast, and this continues to 

 be a leading feature which the visitors 

 admire as the chief attraction. Unfor- 

 tunately we cannot vary much in the 



plants used as only certain varieties 

 can be used tor this work to advantage, 

 but we can change the design and have 

 variety, >\m though the species are 

 used from year to year, 



A greater tendency has been of late 

 years to resorl more to narrow strips 

 or borders of unique design in 

 scroll work, and to eliminate large 

 beds of special designs. This from 

 two points of view is an advantage, 

 first lessening the number of plants in 

 the work and second, the narrow 

 scrolls or strips are easier kept in 

 shape. Evergreens are playing a very 

 important part in cluster beds even tor 

 color Itetinosporas, Piceas. Juniperus, 

 Biotas, Buxtts, Pinus, Taxus and 

 Thuyas (both pyramidal and buslt 

 forms) in particular, as they are not 

 only effective for color, but are also 

 interesting in decided character and 

 form. We count these beds as special 

 features along drives, and when prop- 

 erly grouped, they become beautiful 

 with age and symmetrical growth. 

 Shrubbery of every known variety can 

 be and is used to great advantage. 

 Where trees are not grouped enough 

 to form effect, the shrubs are used fo; 

 a period with the best results, although 

 they demand much care (and atten- 

 tion) to prevent their growing wildly 

 and with injury to themselves. 



Interesting and varying features are 

 being adopted in many parks, as far as 

 planting and care is concerned. I re- 

 fer to the plan of beds, round, oval, 

 diamond, or star-shaped planted with 

 flowering or foliage plants, along the 

 walks and drives on either side, and 

 which are not duplicated except in one 

 or two instances where formality 

 leaves no other course; i. e. whatever 

 is planted in one bed is not dupli- 

 cated throughout the grounds; this not 

 only becomes interesting in itself but 

 is one of the strongest means of edu- 

 cation. For this purpose every va- 

 riety of annuals and perennials 

 can be used to advantage. I will 

 here name only a few of the 



leading classes: Delphiniums, Paeo- 

 nies. Asters, Iris, Hollyhocks, Rud- 

 beckias, Hemerocallis, Phlox, Cam- 

 panulas, Helianthus. etc., also Rhodo- 

 dendron and Azalea groups. We are 

 constantly receiving inquiries from 

 park visitors, asking when certain 

 plants are at their best. This proves 

 to a great degree thai the public are 

 becoming observing and in many cases 

 these inquiries come from those who 

 have their own private places with 

 gardeners in charge. 



Where conservatories are a part of 

 the park features much can be done 

 in periodical exhibitions of under glass 

 stock, which will keep up the visiting 

 during the entire year. 



We must not lose sight of the fact 

 that the parks' most valuable resource 

 and asset is the tree; what would it 

 be without the variation of these tow- 

 ering monarchs in their charming 

 color throughout the year? The gar- 

 dener or superintendent is an artist 

 indeed who judiciously plants the 

 trees for future effects and in such 

 variety and variation that they will 

 group artistically and enhance their 

 charm as they advance in size with 

 age. Proper planting with open views 

 into the distance lures the pedestrian 

 and those in vehicles to all parts of the 

 grounds. With each years planting 

 we study the wea^ points and endeav- 

 or to overcome them for the succeed- 

 ing year. Sometimes our plans are 

 thwarted because of extraordinary sea- 

 sons of either moisture or drought, or 

 even some new or pernicious insect 

 which proves almost beyond control. 

 In all work of park gardening it must 

 be borne in mind that the most impor- 

 tant duty is that of timely preparation 

 for the next season. In Fairmouni 

 Park we are equipped with glass, forc- 

 ing houses frames, pits, etc. Failure 

 in producing the required quantity of 

 any one variety of plants often upsets 

 plans seriously, hence the importance 

 of having a supply beyond our actual 

 needs. We grow for the total bedding 



S. A. F. GROUP AT T< 



