26 LANDSCAPE GARDEN SERIES 



If the planting is to be formal throughout, the shrub borders are 

 either clipped hedges or borders of undipped but dense, restrained plants 

 in straight or curvilinear lines. Specimens are employed to accent corners, 

 openings, or views, or to suggest definition of areas. These accents 

 may contrast with the general border masses in color or form. Ever- 

 green and deciduous plants furnish pleasing contrasts in value. With 

 the exception of these accents, there should be no variation of species 

 in any formal border whose length is visible from within the area 

 defined by it. Exceptions to this occur where a low hedge of one 

 species is planted across the front of the property, and a higher grow- 

 ing hedge of another species is used along the two sides and in front 

 of the private areas near the house to obtain privacy ; or where a hedge 

 of one height is used along the sides as far as the back, and a higher 

 hedge is used across the back as a screen. Also, in a garden; a high 

 hedge of one species is used as a screen or background, while a lower 

 hedge of another species is used to outline beds or borders. 



For informal planting, the general mass of the border follows the 

 basic formal lines of the design. The borders defining the lot lines 

 parallel them on the outside edge, and the informal type of flowing 

 curved lines are developed on the inside edge. Where these lines swell 

 the width of the border, a corresponding increase of height in plants is 

 called for, and such changes should occur at points where accents are 

 needed to emphasize division of the lot into the various areas- 



In considering the outlook from the house, perspective by color 

 should be planned in the borders defining the lot lines. In general the 

 planting near the house should have red greens and yellow greens pre- 

 dominating, and the purple greens, blue greens and gray greens should 

 be carried out to the more distant points. Even if there is not space to 

 work out the full range of colors, an effort should be made to keep 

 blue greens and gray greens at a distance. The ranging of values will 

 also aid in this respect. 



Borders should not be broken up by too much variety in color or 

 form. It is far better to use only one species, where the length of the 

 border is limited. Specimen trees or shrubs placed in the border, or 

 in front of it, at accent points, often supply sufficient variety on small 

 places. 



Planting for transition about the house perhaps receives more 

 attention than any other phase of planting on home grounds. Even 

 the most indifferent home owners seem to realize the need for "founda- 

 tion planting". Such a planting must harmonize with the house and 

 ground in color qualities. Strong contrasts are to be avoided except where 

 accents are required. Fairly compact plants are best suited for this 



