54 LANDSCAPE GaEDENING. 



It is nob within the rang-e of oar present inquiry to 

 enumerate those special plants which are ready to the 

 gardeners hand for these diverse effects. This has 

 already been done in many useful books, and some sug- 

 gestions are made in Part III of the present volume. 

 The com^ietent gardener should be able, out of his own 

 knowledge, to select the most pleasing materials for 

 his pictures. 



The light gray-greens are perhaps characteristic of 

 the early spring. As trees and shrubs put forth their 

 first unfoldnig buds the general effect is much different 

 from that given by the same plants after the full dress 

 of foliage is put on. Usually the color is several shades 

 lighter — grayer — and this aj)pearance is further hight- 

 ened by the grayer twigs not yet covered out of sight 

 but showing more and more dimly through tlie thicken- 

 ing screen of green leaves. Certain plants are more 

 beautiful iu this spring dress than at any subsequent 

 season. 



Some of tlie willows should be prominently men- 

 tioned in this category ; for example, the Royal willow, 

 Salix Q-egalis. Among tlie smaller flowering plants 

 there is a specially rich field of possibilities, including 

 crocus, narcissus, jonquils, hyacinths, tulips and others. 

 These are suitable not only to be the first occupants 

 of the bleak flower beds after the mulch is removed 

 in the spring, but they should be scattered with a liberal 

 hand through the grass and in the borders, where 

 they come on year after year amid surroundings which 

 make them seem even more dainty and graceful aud 

 delightful harbingers of returning spring than when 

 grown in specially prepared beds. 



June is the month of roses, brides and college grad- 

 uates. It is particularly a mouth of fetes and of care- 

 free enjoyment of living. Weddmgs and commence- 

 ments are the gardener's good patrons, and for them tho 



