6 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 
circles or ellipses; in short, in strictly geometrical designs. Ordi- 
narily the design on the one side of the approach is exactly like 
that on the other. 
The walks are highly finished and often bordered with some 
kind of low growing plant; sometimes merely with close cropped 
turf. In some cases low hedges border the walks. In the cooler 
part of Florida the different forms of box or the privets will be 
found useful for such purposes; farther south the Alternantheras 
will make fine borders and Phyllanthus nivosus will produce admi- 
rable hedges. The Acalyphas make attractive hedges in the 
most tropical part of the state. 
In some cases the main figure in a geometrical garden may be 
made in the form of a large square or parallelogram; the ends or 
corners can be rounded or square. Around this design a broad 
path or roadway is made and the main pattern can either be left 
entire or subdivided by narrower walks. Often this main design 
is wholly or in part sunk below the level of the main surrounding 
walk, as if it were a picture set within a frame. This central 
part may be wholly of closely cut lawn, or it may have one or 
more fountains or choice pieces of statuary or a few neat beds of 
low growing plants. Around its border there might be planted 
formal looking large plants or even trees in case the design is a large 
one. Such things as Phoenix canariensis, P. dactylifera, Cycas 
of different species, Yuccas, Dioon, in fact most of the Cycads, 
some of the Dracaenas, Cordyline indivisa and C. australis and a 
number of other formal looking plants will look well in such 
situations if kept in good shape. This large central design may 
be located immediately in front of the central structure or at 
one side of it. 
Outside of the broad path or roadway between it and the wall 
enclosing the whole a wide border may be planted. This should 
consist of low growing stuff nearest the walk; farther back larger 
growers may be put in and the back part or outside of the plant- 
ing can be moderate sized trees. This outer border need not 
be kept in such regularity as is the inner part. In fact the growth 
in it may be allowed to become somewhat irregular. 
Sometimes the owner of a large place which has been planted 
in the natural way may want a piece of formal garden, a flower 
