Gardens and Their Accessories 



279 



whether the blossoms be massed or separated. The transition from one bloom 

 to another should be carefully noted, so that no inharmonious note shall occur in the 

 general harmony of colour. As such plans are only valuable as far as imme- 

 diate contrasts are concerned and show what may occur in actual perspective (in 

 the silhouetting of one mass against another), it is well that a small scale model 

 of the garden be 

 used with them, to 

 the better under- 

 standing of natural 

 conditions. This 

 model will serve also 

 to study scale and 

 distribution of the 

 garden furniture. 



In the choice of 

 flowers, it would 

 seem that wisdom 

 should tend toward 

 the native and hardy 

 sorts. These are 

 numerous enough to 

 offer sufficient vari- 

 ety, and are at the 

 same time inexpen- 

 sive, both as to care 

 and initial cost. In 

 placing, the most 

 common arrange- 

 ment is that of loca- 

 ting the taller vari- 

 eties outside the out- 

 side walk and dimin- 

 ishing the average 

 heights as we go ic- 

 ward the centre. 

 This is the simple 

 method, although in 

 some instances it 



may be advisable to bank them about some central or standing motive like the 

 summer house, free columns, hermae or the like. Small, isolated groups of tall 

 flowers unsupported by some feature of accessory are seldom happy effects, and 

 tend to break up and destroy the simplicity of line and contour which is so effective 

 in the well-planned garden. 



In the disposal of colour, white, yellow and red are the usual dominant notes 

 and can be used most effectively. If the gardens have a particularly interesting 

 layout of walks, it can be emphasised by small and low white borders. Either 



'Maxwell Court," Rockville, Conn. Looking from the terrace toward ihe garden. 

 Charles A. Platt, architect 



