DECOBATIVE PLANTING 



203 



view by screens of shrubbery planted for the purpose. A pro- 

 fusion of low-growing shrubs should be used to conceal the 

 foundations of the house, and vines may be trained over walls 



and pillars, thus carrying the 

 green of the lawn upward 

 and making the house appear 

 more a part of the landscape. 

 Shrubs should rarely be planted 

 singly. Their beauty is greatly 

 enhanced if several are set to 

 form an irregular group, but 

 care must be taken to allow 

 for future growth, else they 

 will soon begin to crowd one 



FIG. 149. Shrubs in the curves of anot her and fail of their best 



development. Not only should 



the line where lawn and border meet be irregular, but the sky 

 line should partake of the same character. This is brought 

 about by alternating groups of tall and shorter shrubs and 

 trees. It is desirable, also, to bring 

 some of the shrubs out toward 

 the margin of the lawn, forming 

 recesses or bays between them in 

 which herbaceous plants may be 

 grown. Shrubs may be planted on 

 the concave side of all curves in 

 paths and drives, thus seeming to 

 give a reason for the curve as well 

 as adding to the spacious appear- 

 ance of the grounds by preventing 



all parts being seen at once. At the angles where paths 

 intersect, and where " short cuts " are likely to be made, it 

 is well to plant thorny shrubs like the barberry, locust, and 

 prickly ash. Such plantings are also frequently made in the 



FIG. 150. A corner planting 



