128 COMMON SENSE GARDENS 



ered from the standpoint of their bloom alone. The 

 same rule should be followed as when disposing of 

 furniture in a room; you do not hide a beautiful 

 china-closet of rare workmanship by placing an- 

 other cabinet or a desk or a settee or a lot of chairs 

 all about it, encompassing it and hiding its grace- 

 ful lines and form. 



I have always thought that the plan of planting 

 in masses was followed by the nurserymen and 

 landscape gardeners because a great many plants 

 have to be used. The arrangement is expensive 

 and extravagant, besides being commonplace and 

 clumsy, and much better effects can be obtained by 

 placing each shrub where it belongs, where it will 

 always look at home and can remain undisturbed 

 for an indefinite time, after the manner of old 

 yards and gardens. Used in such a way shrubs 

 have a meaning and give feeling to the house and 

 grounds; and a man of moderate means may plant 

 and enjoy them. 



When buying shrubs, if there is no nursery in 

 your immediate vicinity, you should choose one 

 that lies in a colder latitude or one just as cold as 

 that in which your place is located. By doing this 



