May 23, 1873. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTORE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



405 



ORNAMENTAL PL.\NTING.— No. 1. ' 



HERE are few branches of horticulture of 

 greater interest or importance than the em- 

 bellishment of dressed grounds or natural 

 Bceneiy with trees and shrubs, and, I sup- 

 pose I may venture to assert with equal 

 truth, none which receives less attention or 

 study, owing probably to the fact of its 

 being rather a legitimate pursuit of the 

 landscape gardener than the general prac- 

 titioner. A\'ithout any pretension to the 

 laying down of arbitrary rules or canons of taste, it is my 

 purpose in writing these papers to endeavour to show 

 clearly how lawns and shrubberies are planted, giving the 

 arrangements of borders, groups, clumps, and sohtary 

 specimens, and in doing this care will be exercised to keep 

 as closely as possible to the explanation of practical de- 

 tails deduced from actual experience. 



The subject is a wide one, and withal most interesting; 

 and as one passes its most important heads in review, the 

 materials suitable for the work press upon the mind in 

 such profusion that it is no easy matter to make a selec- 

 tion from such a host of subjects " rich and rare '' with- 

 out passing over many things of importance. By select- 

 ing materials possessing sti-ongly-marked characteristics, 

 and by giving the details of each arrangement fully and 

 clearly, it is hoped that these notes will prove useful, so 

 far as written directions ever can be. 



One important rule which cannot be too strongly im- 

 pressed upon the minds of beginners is never to attempt 

 too much in the first instance, always bearing in mind 

 the important axiom that the most simple matter or 

 trifling detail once well done is a principle mastered and 

 a step gained. 



Harmony, contrast, and repose are three most im- 

 portant principles to which we should try to give expres- 

 sion ; graceful simplicity and artistic effect are not in- 

 compatible but are really inseparable, and always present 

 in the most costly and elaborate works of art. The pro- 

 duction of harmonious effect implies a just appreciation 

 of the relative value of form with form, and of the various 

 shades of colour ; there must be no clashing even in con- 

 trast, which must please and gratify, rather than startle 

 or astonish ; eveiy arrangement or scene, therefore, how- 

 ever distinct or varied in character from others in the 

 same garden, should yet be sufficiently in keejiing with 

 them to fonn a connecting link of the grand whole. 



In order to secure so desirable an end in what is 

 inevitably a somewhat costly undertaking, it is of primary 

 importance to make a careful sarvey of the surface of the 

 land before laying it out, and to adapt the design to its 

 natural formation so far as is practicable ; thus, if the chief 

 part of the surface has a general broad or flat expanse, 

 or is, on the other hand, imdulating and much broken, 

 we should strive to impart, or rather retain, the tone or 

 air of either style to the dressed grounds generally. It 

 is true that a departure fi'om this rule may frequently be 

 seen in gardens of great extent, but it would be unwise, 

 No. 6M.— Vol. XXIV., Niw Semes. 



as the result would be unsatisfactory, to venture upon a 

 mixed style in such small places as these notes are in- 

 tended for. 



Ample variety of aspect may be imparted to all gardens 

 withovit any violation of the purity of style which I ad- 

 vocate, and while avoiding all meaningless ornamentation 

 we should strive for expression in every feature and ob- 

 ject. It is in doing this that so many of the choicest plants 

 and slu-ubs play such an important part ; the common 

 Yew may be so massed as to lend a charm — often unde- 

 fined, but none the less powerful — to the brightest gayest 

 triumph of Flora ; the walk that sweeps past gay flower 

 beds brilliant with summer beauty, maj- in its next curve 

 lead us to the quiet repose of turf-clad banks bearing 

 clustering masses of Yucca, or among the feathery taper- 

 ing forms of Conifers, the silvery plumes of the Pampas 

 Grass, or to some fine specimen tree or shrub. Thus 

 fresh forms and colom-s present themselves in rich and 

 varied beauty at every turn, and the importance of first 

 measures in designing the contour of each portion of lawn 

 or pathway becomes evident. Graceful sweeping curves 

 or gentle undulations all constitute beauty. A walk that 

 winds from an open lawn among masses of shrubs or 

 under the spreading branches of lofty trees, seems to 

 invite us to explore, and in planting we gladly avail 

 ourselves of the numerous prominent positions which 

 such curves afford to place our choicest specimens to the 

 greatest advantage. Single fine specimens well placed 

 are always much appreciated. Take, for example, the 

 WeUingtonia that is planted upon the triangular space 

 between the Eosery and Water Temples at the Crystal 

 Palace, nothing could be better. It imparts variety and 

 grace to the surrounding scene, of which the high-raised 

 mound, crowned by the lofty arches of the Rosery, stands- 

 out so boldly that to the casual observer all subordinate 

 objects apparently sink into comparative insignificance ; 

 yet the situation of this flomishing yoimg tree is so singu- 

 larly appropriate that it is, and must continue, an object 

 of the greatest interest and importance. The chief reason 

 for this is its central position — that ia to say, it stands at 

 a central point upon which three walks converge ; and 

 thus, although it is at the foot of the Eosery slope, and so 

 close to the margin that it may be regarded rather as 

 part of it than as a separate feature, yet it possesses in 

 itself so much that is interesting, stately, and dignified 

 as to attract great admiration for its striking individuaUty 

 alone. That is the point, and the lesson which it teaches 

 is precisely that which I wish to convey clearly to the 

 reader — namely, that the best position for single speci- 

 mens is wherever they attract attention as individuals 

 without clashing with the sm-roundiug objects, but rather 

 contribute to their beauty. — Edw.\ed Luckhuest. 



CULTURE OF ROSES IN POTS. 



The most magnificent exhibition of Roses in pots ever 



seen in London was that held at South Kensington on 



"Wednesday, May 7th. Fancy a Eose bush 5 feet in height 



and over 18 feetin cu-cumference, furnished with healthy 



No. 1486.— Vol XLIX., Old Series. 



