146 Hints on Landscape Gardening 



the hardier kinds, although they are more com- 

 mon, the preference, since one should refrain as 

 far as possible from trying to force Nature too 

 much or too often; for even a quite common 

 red thorn, for instance, if it is in vigorous bloom, 

 or a bush honeysuckle, etc., has a better appear- 

 ance than a suffering exotic growth, which in a 

 more suitable climate might possibly have un- 

 folded in its fullest splendor. In general the 

 chief decoration is made by potted plants, which 

 are so arranged in permanent stands that they do 

 not injure the lawn nor let the pots and tubs 

 show in an unsightly manner. For instance, the 

 oleanders surrounding a semicircular bank were 

 placed in long semicircular boxes and lowered 

 into a trench of masonry work built behind 

 the bank, and as the branches reach down to the 

 ground they appear to be growing out of it. 

 Single pomegranate and other trees are enclosed 

 in pretty stands made to fit them exactly, and 

 surrounded with flower pots in such a way that 

 the tub containing the tree is not to be seen and 

 only its crown rises from the midst. Should 

 one desire, however, that an isolated stem remain 

 visible, then the tub as well may be inserted in 

 a walled funnel and the top covered with pots 

 with low flowers set in green moss. If these 

 half-hardy plants have to be removed in late 

 autumn, then they must be replaced by hardier 

 kinds, or by baskets with potted flowers which 

 are not afraid of a little frost, like asters, etc. 

 The walled openings in the earth must be wide 



