October 16, 1868. 1 



JOURNAL OF HOKTICDLTURE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



277 



ARRANGING AND PLANTING SHRUBS. 



AVING in previous numbers of this Journal 

 given an extended list of flowering slirubs, 

 it may be of advantage to intending planters 

 to offer a few hints as to theu" arrangement 

 and planting. 



Shrubs may be arranged in straight or 

 curved lines, and so as to form belts or 

 masses of any width. It is not imperative 

 that the border should be at all points of 

 the same width ; it may begin with a point, 

 and be widened as it extends until it is 30 feet or more 

 in width, may then be naiTowed, merely leaving enough 

 ground to plant in, be again brought out with a bold swell, 

 increasing the width, of course, be continued some distance, 

 recede again, and in tiu-n be again brought out. In some 

 parts the border will be narrow, in others wiAe. varying in 

 width the whole distance, but the outline must not have 

 any sharp elbows, no long extension and abrupt termina- 

 tion of a bend, but begin, go on, and return in an easy 

 curve. Notliing destroys the harmony of a plan so much 

 as an improper bend or ungi-aceful curve. To avoid this 

 there is nothing like beginning the curve soon enough, for 

 it is of no use planting three-fourths of the way gracefully, 

 and so as to be all you require, and then finding a sudden 

 bend cannot be avoided, and that you have gone too far to 

 make it gi-acefully or easilj'. The gi-eater widtli of the 

 border at some parts than at others will admit of a greater 

 variety of subjects, also of a gi-eater number of one kind, 

 being planted than if the border were of one uniform widtli, 

 which it ought not to be, except where the shrubs are 

 intended as a screen to shut out the boundary wall or 

 objectionable objects beyond. Although the hiding of 

 the boimdary wall is desirable — indeed, from the interior 

 it should always be invisible — yet the border may, where 

 it is desirable to have a view of objects or scenery beyond 

 the boundary, be so narrow as to admit of none but shrubs of 

 smaU growth, and yet so tall and dense in foliage as to 

 conceal the boundary without obscuring or shutting out 

 the view. 



The border, then, should be wide enough at its nar- 

 rowest part to allow of shrubs being planted that will 

 not allow of the boundary being distinguished, and yet 

 permit of a view beyond ; whilst in parts opposite those 

 objects which it may be desirable to hide, the border may 

 be of such a width as to admit of shrubs ( and when these 

 are not sufficient, of trees at the back of the shrubs), which 

 by their height and density of foliage will serve as a screen. 

 There will, therefore, not only be variations in width but 

 in height, but tlie gradation should be easy and graceful 

 as the ground outlines : there should not be any abrupt 

 termination of the taller kinds of shrubs, but a gradual 

 ascent from the low to the Iiigh, and of descent from the 

 high to the low. There may be, when the objects to be 

 excluded are extended to a considerable distance, an exten- 

 sion of the taller sorts of shrubs beyond what there other- 

 wise would be where there are no buildings or objects to 

 be excluded, and this extension may terminate suddenly 

 IJ». 894.— Vol. XV., New Series, 



and begin suddenly, space being left between to admit of 

 a particular object being seen. This will to some extent 

 prevent the monotonous appearance presented by a shrub- 

 bery of the same height, or a long-continuance of slu-ubs 

 of the same height; but it is well that the opening be 

 formed of shrubs that are of spreading rather than pyra- 

 midal growth, as by the fonner it will be graceful, and by 

 the latter too abrupt and violent. 



The border varying in width, if those parts tliat are 

 wide or narrow occur at regular distances, the result of 

 the planting will be monotonous as regards height. This 

 should be guarded against by forming some of the widest 

 parts one-half or one-third the length they are in others : 

 and so also with the narrow parts of the borders, they 

 must not be of one uniform length, but the border must 

 have narrow parts of various widths and lengths. This 

 wUl prevent monotony of height and aspect, as a greater 

 variety of shrubs can be planted, each mass distinct in 

 itself, yet allied to the neighbouring mass, though different, 

 all the masses harmonising so as to form dependant parts 

 of the same wliole. 



The diversity of width wiU give scope for variety and for 

 gradations in the height of different clumps or masses, for 

 such they are. though continuous, and wUl afford different 

 views, which cannot be too numerous ; the extent of the 

 ground will not be discoverable from one point of view ; 

 and the views, varying with the different points, wiU in- 

 terest the observer. This wiU be the case with borders at 

 parts 50 feet wide, more or less, in others (i feet or less, 

 the former width to aUow of .gi-eater density of foUage and 

 height of shrubs to conceal the walls, fences, or ill-placed 

 disagreeable objects, and the latter to hide the wall or 

 fence, and yet permit of a view beyond it. There wiU not, 

 therefore, be any straight lines, but only curved ones ; and 

 for the observer to sec the different objects the walks must 

 follow the outline of the border, separated only by a margin 

 of grass IH inches or so in width, wliich width of grass 

 verge must not be increased so long as the outline ciu-ves 

 inwards nor when it recedes until one has passed suffi- 

 ciently round the bend, so that when looking backwards 

 the part traversed is not visible. Then the grass^ may 

 increase in width as the border recedes, and if sufficient 

 space between the walk and border bo gained, a detached 

 clump of shrubs may be introduced on the grass, but they 

 ought to be low-growing, so as not to obstruct the view oi 

 the border, which must be continuous, unless broken for an 

 object, or to admit of some new featiu-e, which must not be 

 incongruous, nor in any case be of a rugged character, but 

 should be graceful. 



These groups may differ from the backgroimd of slii-ubs 

 or those in the border : if those in the lattei- are of diiU, 

 frowning, leafless, flowering shrubs, a clump of Rhododen- 

 drons, Kalmias, jVndromedas. or other plants may be intro- 

 duced on the grass between the walk and border of slirubs : 

 whilst, on the other hand, if the background is cold from 

 the prevalence of evergreens, the subjects of the clump 

 should be warm, as the Gold and Silver HoUies, than 

 which nothing can be more beautiful and eflective. If the 

 background is sombre, as Yews, it may be relieved, and 



No. 1046.— Vol. XL., Old Series. 



