20 



Figure 11. 



Figure 12. 





without injuring the plants. As it is intended that the whole of the 

 outlines of some of the beds should eventually be destroyed by overhanging 

 or spreading growths, and the earth be completely concealed, these beds 

 must be kept to their original shape (figure 11) for some time, until the 



shrubs attain sufficient 

 size to do this naturally 

 jSj^L of themselves (figure 12). 

 JH3 This varied outline can- 



not be effected by stiff 

 upright shrubs, such as 

 roses, spireas, arborvitas, 

 junipers, mazerians, &c. ; 

 and, consequently, all of this stiff character which are required to remain 

 towards the margin, should be fronted and mixed with some of the 

 following, namely, — Daphne cneorum, Savins, Cottoneaster microphilla, 

 Berberis impetrifolia, Mahonias, Arbutus regia, Erica herbacea, Erica multi- 

 flora, and other heaths, dwarf spreading cistus, dwarf evergreen St. John's 

 wort, Gaultheria shallon, jointed, double, and other dwarf spreading brooms, 

 Menziesia polyfolia, Andromeda polyfolia, and similar low reclining plants, 

 which will cover the earthy parts, and yet not prevent the others beyond from 

 being seen. But in order that neither these nor the larger spreading shrubs 

 may spread out of bounds, they must occasionally be shortened in at proper 

 places, so as to leave a natural careless outline. Beds appropriated to inter- 

 esting shrubs of low growth, and such as, being of a stiff formal habit, are 

 consequently not calculated to produce a broken outline — as, for instance, 

 fuchsias, roses, azaleas, kalmias, andromedas, Rhodora canadensis, Rhododen- 

 dron dauricum atro-virens, &c, — these will always look better retaining their 

 neat and original form. The kind of beds we have been speaking of may be 

 said to be proper for all the dress-lawn, not only that connected with the 

 house, but the more distant pleasure grounds also, where natural beauty of 

 outline is a principal charm of the scenery. Those, however, which contain 

 the more delicate plants, and require digging amongst, must always have 

 their original outline preserved with neatness and accuracy. The foregoing 

 directions can seldom be fully carried out in a place of the old school, but 

 much may be done by cutting down, removals, grouping, and introducing 

 interesting shrubs when necessary. 



