ARRANGEMENT AND POSITION OF PLANTS OF PECULIAR 

 CHARACTER. 



In planting the points of shrub beds at the junction of two walks, the conical 

 or small upright kinds are the most suitable, as they are not so likely to 

 spread and interfere with the walk, or with spreading shrubs. Small conical 

 plants are also better adapted for all points of beds than spreading shrubs, 

 as the latter become too large and out of proportion for such situations. 



In arranging all trees and shrubs, it should be observed that in a group 

 where there is a conspicuous tree, or one very strikingly marked in character, 

 that should be placed seemingly in the middle, yet still avoiding formality 

 and their being planted at equal distances from each other. For instance, 

 the purple beech, with its striking foliage, would be more harmonious in the 

 middle than on one side of a group composed of four or five trees of limes, 

 chesnuts, or elms, &c, or the same number of any one kind. The same may 

 be said of the pointed conical kinds, such as the spruce fir, red cedar, larch, 

 Lombardy poplar, cypress, &c. One of these would appear to balance better, 

 and be much more in harmony, in the midst of various pines, than if on one 

 side. And again, a spiral or conical-growing tree never properly harmonizes 

 with only one of a different character : as, for instance, the spruce fir and the 

 lime; but add another lime, keeping the spruce central, or vice versa, two 

 spruces and one spreading tree, and though there would be a great transition 

 in colour and character, yet a pleasing effect would be produced. 



These observations in like manner apply to the arrangement of low- 

 growing trees and shrubs. For example : it would not be in harmony for the 

 dense, round, formal Portugal laurel to be associated with only one shrub. 

 whether spiral or loose-spreading ; but with two or more of either of the 

 former kinds at proper distances, (letting the Portugal lam-el advance rather 

 than otherwise), the effect would be pleasing. Again, one or more of the 



