6 TllK PAUKS AM) GAliDENS UF TAIUS. [Chap. I. 



want for the ornamental public garden is the mean between these 

 two : we want the variety of the botanic garden without its so- 

 called scientific but very unnatural and ugly arrangement ; we 

 want its interest without its weediness and monotony. 



There is no way in which the deadening formalism of our 

 gardens may be more effectually destroyed than by the system of 

 naturally grouping hardy plants. It may afford the most pleasing 

 results, and impress on others the beauty of many families now 

 almost unused. Suppose that in a case where the chief labour 

 and expense now go for an annual display, or what some might 

 call an annual muddle, the system is given up for one in which all 

 the taste and skill and expense go to the making of features that 

 do not perish with the first frosts. Let us begin, then, with a 

 carefully selected collection of trees and shrubs distinguished for 

 their fine foliage — by noble leaf-beauty, selecting a quiet glade 

 in which to develop it. It would make a feature in itself attrac- 

 tive, and show many that it is not quite necessary to resort to 

 things that require the climate of Kio before we find marked leaf- 

 beauty and character. It would teach, too, how valuable such 

 things would prove for general use. Many kinds of leaf might be 

 therein developed, from the great simple-leaved species of the 

 lihubarb type to the divided ones of Lindley's Spira3a, and the taller 

 Ailantus, and other noble-leaved trees of Asia and America. The 

 fringes of such a group might well be lit up with beds of Lilies, 

 Irises, or any showy flowers ; or, better still, by hardy flowering 

 shrubs. An irregularly and artistically planted group of this kind 

 would prove at all times a source of interest ; it might be improved 

 and added to from time to time, but the original expense would 

 be almost the only one. 



Pass by this rather sheltered nook, and come to a gentle knoll 

 in an open spot. Here we will make a group from that wonderful 

 rosaceous family which does so much to beautify all northern and 

 temperate climes. And what a glorious bouquet it might be made, 

 with American and European hawthorns, double-flowered cherries 

 and peaches, plums, almonds, pears ! While we should here have 

 a marked family likeness prevailing in the groups, we should 

 entirely escape the monotony resulting from planting, say, five 

 or six thousand plants of lihododendron in one spot, as is tlie 

 fashion with somr ; for t acli tree would dillt-r considerably from its 



