CHAPTER XV 



WOODLAND FINE IN COLOUR 



Nothing I may say can sufficiently show the high 

 importance of this to the planter. The first thing to do 

 is to get the splashy, ugly variegation of the nursery out 

 of our way. The invention of variegated conifers and 

 other variegated trees and shrubs has been the mis- 

 fortune of those who see true natural colour. All that 

 artificial and hideous colour which often disfigures even 

 noble gardens should be avoided altogether by the 

 woodland planter. Remember that in addition to the 

 beauty of our common trees— Ash, Beech, and Oak — • 

 some of our less planted native trees — Wild Service- 

 tree, the Aspen, Wild Cherry, Rowan, Bird Cherry, 

 Hornbeam, White Beam— are often good in colour. 



Apart from its beauty, a great charm is that this lovely 

 woodland colour comes just when all our garden things 

 are laid low. Good as the colour of our native trees is, 

 we ought not to forget the beauty of the trees of North 

 America and Asia, and the importance of planting these 

 where they are free and hardy in our country. Our 

 woods are often full of colour right through the autumn, 

 and some of the American trees, where people have the 

 art of grouping them effectively, have as fine a colour in 

 our woods as in their own. To the eye open to the 

 delicate gradation and variety of good colour, that of 

 our British woods is as good as any, and the winter 

 effects are often most beautiful, from Alders by the busy 



