132 Landscape Gardening 



a group composed of large trees, or giving fulness to groups 

 of tall trees newly planted on a lawn, or effecting a union 

 between buildings and ground. It is true that it requires 

 something of an artist's feeling and perception of the pic- 

 turesque to do these successfully, but the result is so much 

 the more pleasing and satisfactory when it is well executed. 



When walks are continued from the house through dis- 

 tant parts of the pleasure-grounds, groups of shrubs may be 

 planted along their margins, here and there, with excellent 

 effect. They do not shut out or obstruct the view like 

 large trees, while they impart an interest to an otherwise 

 tame and spiritless \valk. Placed in the projecting bay, 

 round which the walk curves so as to appear to be a reason 

 for its taking that direction, they conceal also the portion 

 of the walk in advance, and thus enhance the interest 

 doubly. The neighborhood of rustic seats, or resting points, 

 are also fit places for the assemblage of a group or groups of 

 shrubs. 



For the use of those who require some guide in the selection 

 of species, \ve subjoin the accompanying list of hardy and 

 showy shrubs, which are at the same time easily procured 

 in the United States.* A great number of additional spe- 

 cies and varieties, and many more rare, might be enumer- 

 ated, but such will be sufficiently familiar to the connoisseur 

 already; and what we have said respecting botanical rari- 

 ties in flowering plants may be applied with equal force to 

 shrubs, viz. that in order to produce a brilliant effect, a 

 few well chosen species, often repeated, are more effective 

 than a great and ill-assorted melange. 



In the following list, the shrubs are divided into two 

 classes - - No. 1 designating those of medium size, or low 

 growth, and No. 2, those which are of the largest size. 



* The reader may fairly be reminded that Mr. Downing was a most 

 competent plantsman. Though longer experience and later introduc- 

 tions have considerably changed the nurserymen's lists, this catalog of 

 plants will still be useful and interesting. F. A. W. 



