ARRANGEMENT OF THE CITY GARDEN 



J. E. NORTH VVOOD^ ONT. 



r 



T^HE gardener who has as his object rhe 

 A beautifying of his home should direct 

 his efforts more to the massing of color and 

 the effective grouping of plants than to the 

 cultivation of prize specimens. The aver- 

 age city gardener will not allow the space 

 which is required for the production of per- 

 fect plants and at the same time permit the 

 massing of color and foliage that is re- 

 quired to cover unsightly objects, break the 

 straight lines of fences, 

 round off abrupt cor- 

 ners and give an artistic 

 effect to the grounds. 



Perhaps the most 

 useful plants to over- 

 come the disadvantages 

 of a city garden are the 

 flowering vines. Of 

 these the different va- 

 rieties of clematis, the 

 Japanese hop, some va- 

 rieties of gourds and 

 also the morning glory 

 will be found very 

 satisfactory. Another 

 very good climber is 

 the Japanese Dolichos 

 or Hyacinth bean, 

 which has a very luxu- 

 riant growth, and which 

 in August is covered 

 with beautiful spikes 

 of sweet pealike flow- 

 ers of pure white or 

 cring. After flowering shrubs, such 

 -^s the Hydrangea paniculata, Deutzia 

 Lemoini, Azalea mollis, Spiraes or the com- 

 mon white snowball, if kept free from aphis, 

 can be used to good advantage in a small 

 garden. A good plant of the Ricinus or 

 castor oil plant, witn its tropical growth, is 

 also useful for its foliage effect. 



GRASS ADDS TO THE EFFECT. 

 A plot of well kept grass, even if very 



small, adds greatly to the appearance of a 

 garden and shows off to advantage die 

 shrubs and plants if they are arranged" with 

 due regard to their habit of growth. Strict 

 formality and set designs in a small garden 

 are entirely out of place. A much better 

 effect is obtained by simply endeavoring to 

 show the plants to their best advantage, at 

 the same time keeping a certain amount of 

 regularity in the arrangement and also pay- 



One of the Prize Gardens in the Lady Minto Competition. 



Great interest has been take> in Ottawa during the past few years in the garden competitions 

 inaugurated by Her Excellency Lady Minto. A portion of the gardens of Mr. J. E. Norlhwood, one 

 of the winners in last year's contest is here shown. The flowers to be seen are a collection nf some of 

 I he easiest grown and freest flowering plants ; such as petunias, gladiolis, coreopsis, some of the 

 liitter class uf perennial phlox and some others, all of easy culture and effective colorings. 



dark violet col- 



ing considerable attention to neatness. 



June has been found the most satisfac- 

 tory month for starting city garden compe- 

 titions. By that time the gardens should 

 be in good condition, with most plants well 

 advanced in growth and making a good 

 show of bloom. May is too early, as the 

 majority of flowers then in bloom are spring 

 flowering bulbs, and the gardener who 

 spends the most money is almost sure to 

 have the best showing. 



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