CHAPTER VII 



THE GROWING OF THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS — THE CLASSES OF 

 PLANTS, AND LISTS 



In choosing the kinds of plants for the main grounds the 

 gardener should carefully distinguish two categories, — those 

 plants to compose the structural masses and design of the place, 

 and those that are to be used for mere ornament. The chief 

 merits to be sought in the former are good foliage, pleasing 

 form and habit, shades of green, and color of winter twigs. 

 The merits of the latter lie chiefly in flowers or colored foliage. 



Each of these categories should be again divided. Of plants 

 for the main design, there might be discussion of trees for a 

 windbreak, of trees for shade; of shrubs for screens or heavy 

 plantings, for the lighter side plantings, and for incidental 

 masses about the buildings or on the lawn; and perhaps also of 

 vines for porches and arbors, of evergreens, of hedges, and of 

 the heavier herbaceous masses. 



Plants used for mere embellishment or ornamentation may 

 be ranged again into categories for permanent herbaceous 

 borders, for display beds, ribbon edgings, annuals for tempo- 

 rary effects, foliage beds, plants for adding color and emphasis 

 to the shrubbery masses, plants desired to be grown as single 

 specimens or as curiosities, and plants for porch-boxes and 

 window-gardens. 



Having now briefly suggested the uses of the plants, we shall 

 proceed to discuss them in reference to the making of home 

 grounds. This chapter contains a brief consideration of 



214 



