6 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 



circles or ellipses; in short, in strictly geometrical designs. Ordi- 

 narily the design on the one side of the approach is exactly like 

 that on the other. 



The walks are highly finished and often bordered with some 

 kind of low growing plant ; sometimes merely with close cropped 

 turf. In some cases low hedges border the walks. In the cooler 

 part of Florida the different forms of box or the privets will be 

 found useful for such purposes; farther south the Alternantheras 

 will make fine borders and Phyllanihus nivosus will produce admi- 

 rable hedges. The Acalyphas make attractive hedges in the 

 most tropical part of the state. 



In some cases the main figure in a geometrical garden may be 

 made in the form of a large square or parallelogram ; the ends or 

 corners can be rounded or square. Around this design a broad 

 path or roadway is made and the main pattern can either be left 

 entire or subdivided by narrower walks. Often this main design 

 is wholly or in part sunk below the level of the main surrounding 

 walk, as if it were a picture set within a frame. This central 

 part may be wholly of closely cut lawn, or it may have one or 

 more fountains or choice pieces of statuary or a few neat beds of 

 low growing plants. Around its border there might be planted 

 formal looking large plants or even trees in case the design is a large 

 one. Such things as Phoenix canariensis, P. dactylifera, Cycas 

 of different species, Yuccas, Dioon, in fact most of the Cycads, 

 some of the Dracaenas, Cordyline indivisa and C. australis and a 

 number of other formal looking plants will look well in such 

 situations if kept in good shape. This large central design may 

 be located immediately in front of the central structure or at 

 one side of it. 



Outside of the broad path or roadway between it and the wall 

 enclosing the whole a wide border may be planted. This should 

 consist of low growing stuff nearest the walk; farther back larger 

 growers may be put in and the back part or outside of the plant- 

 ing can be moderate sized trees. This outer border need not 

 be kept in such regularity as is the inner part. In fact the growth 

 in it may be allowed to become somewhat irregular. 



Sometimes the owner of a large place which has been planted 

 in the natural way may want a piece of formal garden, a flower 



