4 The Landscape Gardening Book 



standard they have been held, and by it they have been tested, 

 and cut down, and simphfied, until they are what they are. 



Many native flowers — "wild flowers" still, some of them — 

 are included, preference being given to these wherever conditions 

 allow, and whenever an effect will be equally as good with them. 

 The height of each plant, wherever height matters, the color of 

 its flowers, the form of its inflorescence, and the time of bloom, 

 are given, with comments based on each plant's native habit, on 

 soil and other features. Suggestions as to the method of 

 planting and the best means of securing the plants have also 

 been made, and any special requirement or peculiarity of an 

 individual has been mentioned. 



To the end that all of this matter might be fully presented, 

 the lists have not been arranged in tabular form. Botanical 

 names are given precedence over the vernacular, but the com- 

 mon name follows closely and identifies the plant, if it need 

 identification. The index includes both. 



The lists and the diagrams of plantings may be used literally, 

 or they may be used as suggestions only. Combinations may 

 be formed of several of them, for extensive plantings ; or one 

 group may be adapted to a large area by increasing the numbers 

 of each kind of plant which it contains. Where this is done it 

 is better to increase greatly the number of two or three kinds 

 and let them dominate the group, rather than to increase the 

 number of each kind equally. Those marked with an asterisk 

 are the best to plant in greatest number, in each group. Many 

 of a few kinds are always better than many kinds — and constant 

 restraint is necessary in planting, else the lovely simplicity will 

 be lost, and the beauty of line and mass destroyed completely. 



Go slowly ; practice rigid self-denial in the matter of varieties ; 

 learn, by stem discipline, resignation to the tmalterable fact that 



