276 GARDEN PLANNING 



of Sparse and inconspicuous habit. The final 

 result of care in these particulars will be a 

 natural, informal effect, in which every individ- 

 ual plant appears to be, and is, at home in 

 its surroundings, and in consequence is bfest 

 conditioned for producing its maximum contri- 

 bution to the aggregate picture. If, as I have 

 instanced, some vigorous plant pushes forward 

 beyond the boundary, or some pretty trailer 

 ignores the edging, it is a gain to the gardener 

 and no fault of the planting. He should suffer 

 such accidents, in reason. He may even con- 

 spire to bring them about, for the special 

 purpose of importing informality into the 

 garden. 



In the back row, variety of height is desirable, 

 even when all are tall, for the plants will sil- 

 houette against the background, and an even 

 row, like soldiers on parade, would be monot- 

 onous. 



In beds and groups of beds the same princi- 

 ples apply, but not quite in the same degree. 

 We may group the tall plants in the centre 

 and reserve the margin for others of smaller 

 and more uniform size. Though we may plan 

 on geometrical lines, we should, like the painter, 



