CHAP. II VILLA GARDENING 11 



Hodginsi, which is Ji grand plant. Fruit-bearing trees, such as 

 bright coloured AjDples, might be usefully planted as background 

 plants. Then standard trees might be made more use of. The 

 Hawthorns and Laburnums, of course everybody plants, but the 

 Rose Acacias, the flowering Almonds, Acacia inermis. Rhododen- 

 drons, and Golden Yews might be used to break up and give tone 

 to flat surfaces. Very few planters allow space enough for the 

 trees and shrubs to develop into handsome specimens. 



Usually as many things are crammed into bed and border as 

 will produce some efl"ect, and thinning is not thought of till the 

 whole are seriously injured. Seeking after immediate effect is 

 right enough in principle : it is what all thoughtful planters 

 do. But there is a right and a wrong way of doing this. The 

 planter shoidd first arrange in his mind and jot down on a rough 

 plan his main features, allowing sufficient space for full develop- 

 ment. For instance, a plant of Hodgins's Holly will in a few 

 years be 10 or 15 feet in diameter, even if directed upwards by 

 occasionally shortening back a robust side shoot, and it will be a 

 folly to plant anything nearer to it of a permanent character than 

 8 or 9 feet ; and the same rule will apply to most of the best class 

 of shrubs. The spiral-growing conifers, the Cypress, the Juniper, 

 Retinospora, and Arborvitre must have plenty of space ; indeed, 

 these latter are the most effective when used sparingly to break 

 up lines and flat surfaces, although occasionally such things may 

 be gathered into a gToup with considerable eff'ect. But if I re- 

 commend the permanent things to be jDlanted in the positions 

 adapted for them to develop into beauty, I do not advocate barren- 

 ness of aspect, and this can be avoided by planting cheap, common 

 things as nurses. The Laurel, the Larch, and other things are 

 adapted to fill up backgrounds and shelter the young, choicer 

 things, which are destined to give character to the place at the 

 same time ; and along the front herbaceous plants and annuals 

 may be used to fill up vacant spots till the shrubs and trees re- 

 quire the space. Of course the nurses must be watched, and kept 

 well in hand. This work unfortunately is too often neglected, and 

 much injury results therefrom. 



Select Lists of Trees and Shrubs. — I purpose giving 

 here a few select lists of trees and shrubs adapted for different 

 purposes, adding as we proceed a running commentary to notify 

 anything striking in growth or character about any that may 

 seem to require it. I hope this i^lan will be found useful to the 

 planter not well iqD in this special knowledge. 



Trees for Blinds and Bachjrounds. — Populus argentea (Silver 

 Poplar), P. candicans (Canadian Poplar), P. fastigiata (Lom- 



