PLANT COMPOSITION 19 



the ground, but the vertical axis may be assumed in all plants to pass 

 through the center of the plant. 



The psychological effect of color and form on the consciousness 

 of human beings must be carefully considered and should be played 

 upon to the fullest advantage in plant composition. It is well known 

 that red, yellow and orange, for example, create a sensation of gayety, 

 cheerfulness, warmth. These colors are known as advancing colors, 

 because they have a greater wave length and meet the eye more quickly 

 than blue or purple, which are therefore known as retreating colors. 

 Gray is neutral and therefore more retreating than blue or purple. The 

 "advance" of any of these colors may be quickened or retarded by 

 varying intensity or value. 



Thus in any planting composition the apparent length of a vista 

 may be increased by keeping advancing colors of high intensity and 

 high value in the foreground, and grading hues, intensities and values 

 out toward the limits of the vista until at the farthest point the most 

 retreating hues, the lowest intensities, and lowest values predominate. 

 To shorten apparent distance this process is reversed. Both leaf color 

 and flower color are to be considered. 



It also seems logical that near the house or any spot in which indi- 

 viduals carry on the process of "living", the colors that give a sense 

 of warmth, cheerfulness and gayety should be much in evidence, 

 though they should be displayed against a background of quieter, 

 neutral colors which should be in the major proportion. Proper bal- 

 ance is essential. Too much advancing color confuses; too much 

 neutrality is disappointing and depressing. 



Similarly, plants are massed at certain points to screen out objects 

 whose form or color mass create discord in the effect of a composition. 

 In the flower garden, careful attention is given to harmony of color, 

 the aim being to keep harmonious colors together, and to separate 

 colors that are not in harmony by masses of neutral colors. 



It should be noted here that too often a garden is planned without 

 sufficient thought for leaf color as a means for preserving the coher- 

 ence of plant masses. Most herbaceous plants, with the exception of 

 annuals, have a comparatively short period of bloom, at the end of 

 which many wither and leave gaps. This can be provided against in 

 one of two ways: either by use of annuals that can be kept in reserve 

 ready to be transplanted in full growth, or by building the composition 

 on a foundation of permanent leaf color interest. There are a number 

 of herbaceous plants with lasting foliage which may be used to form 

 the bulk of the design of flower masses and still allow a satisfying sue- 



