Usually it is easier to make interesting groups by using a number of plants 

 rather than a few; and, if the number must be small, perhaps it is easier to work 

 with odd numbers. In large groups and in unconventional ones, the spacing is 

 still according to a studied irregularity, with a view to obtaining the desired 

 variety. Usually, the best appearance of a picturesque treatment requires a 

 variety of height in several places but with no two alike, with the possible excep- 

 tion of the lower plants. Further, a group is more interesting if its highest part 

 is distinctly "off center, "and also if the several high places are so arranged as to 

 make for a pleasing, up-and-down outline, or skyline. In this scheme of spacing 

 and skyline, however, it is also necessary to so compose the planting as to obtain 

 the appearance of balance on either side of the highest point. Furthermore, this 

 appearance of balance should be satisfactory from all sides, or at least from all 

 points from which the group may be seen. In such groups, it is also possible 

 to obtain the same effects with plants of but a single species. 



Occasionally groups are needed as a means of focalization, as for termini of 

 long walks, and vistas, and for other similar situations. For such purposes it is 

 not always necessary to resort to the sharpest contrasts in order to produce accents ' 

 of a satisfactory degree, although it is well to know of these possibilities. In a 

 group of three, for example, the strongest accent is made by selecting, for the 

 tallest plant, one of vertical form and habit, and for the other two, rounded forms 

 of distinctly smaller size. All plants may be evergreen, or the rounded forms 

 may be deciduous if the desired shapes can be found, or perhaps made, artificially, 

 by occasional shearing. Larger groups of a similar degree of focalization will 

 result from the use of more of the same elements, but it may be advisable to 

 decrease the ratio of taller plants as the entire number of plants is increased. 

 Only rarely should one venture to use plants of markedly different colors for 

 purposes of focalization. On the contrary, it should be noted that degrees of 

 contrast are more effectually increased or lessened, respectively, by a variation 

 in the ratio of the sizes of the vertical and the horizontal elements. 



Groups of considerable prominence may be made by the use of taller eliptical 

 or rounded plants with other rounded plants which are smaller or not so tall. 

 Very pretty groups may be composed entirely of a variety of rounded forms, 

 some of which may be very fine evergreens. In these groups, however, some of the 

 plants should be of free and graceful habit, thus, in an unobtrusive manner, 

 harmonizing the sharply defined evergreen forms with the rest)* of the group. 

 One should guard against the temptation to use too showy evergreens, however, 

 especially in the yards adjoining simple frame houses. For most planting, the 

 native evergreens, rather than imported or horticultural varieties, and deciduous 

 shrubs are usually more suitable. Many deciduous shrubs are by habit regular 

 and dense, and therefore well fitted for picturesque groups. These, with or with- 

 out shearing to render them still more perfect, and combined with other decidu- 

 ous shrubs of a somewhat indefinite habit, will frequently prove decidedly 

 attractive. It should be remembered that all groups receive a certain degree of 

 prominence merely from their isolation. 



The use of too great a variety of plants must be avoided if the most interesting 

 groups are to be made. In all the variations between mass effects and picturesque 

 effects, in fact, in all groups, one kind of a plant should predominate in quan- 

 tity, and as a rule this should be the least striking plant. From this it may be 



