REMARKS ON THE SHRUBBERY, 87 



with advantage, if it be desirable to cover the ground with 

 evergreen. 



In proportion as the shrubbery or plantation recedes from the 

 dwelling, it should become more rural in its character, more 

 especially if the house be in the cottage style. Here climbers 

 and such plants as require the support of others, are to be intro- 

 duced. The most delightful groups in a pleasure-ground are 

 generally those where nature, freeing herself from the shackles 

 of art, depends only on her own assistance for support. Her 

 beauty is chiefly to be seen there where her various creations 

 combine spontaneously, and without restraint. 



The means by which these plants raise themselves up, so as 

 to offer their flowers to the sun, are as various as they are 

 curious, and they seldom blossom whilst trailing on the ground. 

 The ivy and bignonia ascend by the help of little fibres, which 

 fix themselves to the bark of trees or crevices in walls so tightly, 

 as to render their disengagement a difficult thing to be accom- 

 plished without injury to the trunk or building they are attached 

 to. The honey-suckle like the hop, twines itself spirally around 

 the trunk or branches of trees, and often clasps them so closely, 

 as to make an impression on the hardest timber. Others, as the 

 vine and passion-flower, rear themselves by means of corkscrew 

 tendrils, which hold so fast, that the strongest winds seldom 

 disunite them from their support. Some plants climb by means 

 of a hook in their leaf-stalk, or have a kind of vegetable hand 

 given them, by which they are assisted in mounting, as the pea 

 and several others. 



To return from this digression. — The sombre, gloomy walk of 

 yew, cypress, or holly, should lead to the spot from which there 

 is the most beautiful prospect, or to the gay parterre where Flora 

 has diffused her flowery beauties; as the contrast, particularly if 

 sudden, adds greatly to the cheerfulness of the terminating 



vic'W. 



Bad taste is seldom more conspicuous than when we see trees 

 or plants marshalled in regular order and at equal distances, like 

 beaux and belles standing up for a quadrille or country dance. 

 Where the situation will permit, four or six lilacs should be 

 grouped in one place, and as many laburnums in another so as to 

 'give effect in various parts by a mass of colour. 



The guelder rose should appear as if escaping from the dark 

 bosom of evergreens, and not a plant should be set in the ground 



