28 LANDSCAPE GARDEN SERIES 



type of planting, and preferably those that "face" themselves down 

 to the ground as there is not always room for three rows of plants 

 graded from high or background shrubs down to low "facer" shrubs. 

 If the plantings exceed about ten feet in width about a house they seem 

 to lose scale and make the house appear inaccessible. 



Evergreens are especially rich for planting about the house. Beds 

 of several "fancy" varieties are seldom in good taste- Dignified forms 

 and moderate color contrasts are best, and only a few varieties should 

 be employed. A mingling of evergreens with deciduous plants whose 

 flowers, twigs or fruits make pleasing contrast with the lower values of 

 the evergreens, produces a very cheerful effect the year round. 



Vines are useful to relieve the expanse of house walls, soften rigid 

 lines, and furnish privacy for porches, arbors and pergolas, not to 

 speak of their individual interest. They are also used on lattice fences 

 or trellises as as screen where there is not room for a screen of shrubs 

 or trees. They are helpful in covering banks and unsightly objects, 

 and for flat planting effects. 



Roses of the garden type should be restricted to gardens. These 

 include, Tea Roses, Hybrid Teas, and Hybrid Perpetuals. There 

 are some species of the "bush" type, such as Rugosa Rose, available 

 for border planting. Climbing Roses are adapted for varied pur- 

 poses. 



Flowers may be planted in borders, to serve as "facers" for 

 shrubs; along paths connecting "outdoor living rooms"; or massed in 

 beds of formal design. There is little aesthetic satisfaction to be 

 derived from the bean-shaped "informal" beds affected by some 

 designers, even though the amenities are preserved to the extent of 

 keeping them well back from the centers of open spaces. 



Perennials are perhaps best adapted for use for home grounds, as 

 their permanent character saves much labor, and avoids the frequent 

 disappointment experienced from annuals, as seed quality varies from 

 year to year and some failures are to be expected. Preference should 

 be given to perennials of lasting foliage quality, and these should be 

 arranged with an eye for harmony in leaf color with the shrub masses 

 that serve as a background. If flowers and vegetables are combined 

 in one garden, an effort should be made to arrange the vegetables for 

 the best foliage effect possible- Where flowers are used in conjunction 

 with shrub borders the theory of perspective by color should be fol- 

 lowed as in leaf color advancing colors near the house, and retreat- 

 ing colors carried out to the distant nooks and corners. 



Bulb plants are very effective for early spring effect, and some of 

 them, particularly Crocus and Narcissus, can be planted in colonies 



