LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING 1797 



bank and roots and lawn. The house terrace and side 

 porch nestles in beyond this, and the effect is of the 

 terrace and porch being sunk into the ground behind 

 the oak trunk. Add the treatment accorded the 

 remainder of the lawn, and it becomes a very charm- 

 ing spot. The place is attractive because all the trees 

 were retained at sacrifice of level lawns, planting chosen 

 which associated itself with tree trunks and shade, and 

 the walks are curving and inconspicuous. One of them 

 passes behind a group of shrubs to 

 the half-hidden garage, while a branch 

 finds a seat built into the bank like a 

 retaining wall under rhododendrons, 

 and looks out upon a bit of open 

 circular grass-plot in the sun, bordered 

 with perennials backed by a hedge. 

 The sun-dial rests atop a huge native 

 boulder. Simplicity is the keynote of 

 the plan; rhododendron and natural- 

 ized bulbs, that of the embellishment. 



In Fig. 2093, all open lot, a formal 

 garden in close relation to the house 

 is adapted to a low portion of the lot 

 instead of filling it up expensively. 

 The garden is one for flowers, not 

 architecture, and the children's play- 

 yard under the trees is a pleasant 

 association, in keeping. 



Both of these plans, and Fig. 2094 

 as well, illustrate a point to be ob- 

 served in planning small grounds, that 

 house-orientation may be determined 

 as much by the factors of site as by 

 the usual one merely of sun. If at- 

 tractive views are to be had toward 

 the rear of the lot, advantage if pos- 

 sible should be taken of the fact. 

 Such pleasant possibilities for porches 

 and windows should not be given 

 over undisputed to kitchen service 

 while the family seeks the little comfort possible on the 

 "front porch." If objectionable objects are presented 

 to the view, they should by all means be screened off. 

 This is accomplished usually by a thick planting of 

 ornamental trees, shrubs and evergreens. This itself 

 may prove so attractive as again to command a con- 

 sideration of the back lot, for such screens have been 

 known to develop into beautiful backgrounds for 

 flower-gardening, always on view from the best win- 

 dows or porch and enjoyed in perfect seclusion and 

 privacy. A logical extension of the screen-plantings is 

 the arranging of small trees and shrubs along the entire 

 lot boundaries for the purpose of affording seclusion 

 from all abutting properties, or even from the street- 

 front. This need not be regarded as a "spite-fence" 

 or any manner of unneighborly act; for with charming 

 material in flower and fruit, in a beautiful form, it 

 also lends privacy to the neighbor from his side of the 

 foliage. Landscape gardeners would say in truth that 

 the attainment of seclusion in home grounds is an 

 important principle of the design. Planting is a better 

 way than fencing. 



In addition to seclusion, the second most important 

 principle of design is served by this same screen and 

 border shrubbery that of adding to the space an 

 apparent extent. The eye measures straight lines sub- 

 consciously. Seclusion alone may be attained by tall 

 sheared hedges, rows of trees, masonry walls or vine- 

 clad fences, but, however well executed, the effect is 

 disappointing. A feeling of amplitude, of interest, 

 satisfying beauty, is to be attained only through 

 indefiniteness of boundary lines and concealment of 

 corners; by irregularly shaped open lawn; by softness 

 a,nd blending of color in the foliage mass that frames it. 

 Subtle variations in grades of the lawn uniting with 

 studied outlines of the bounding shrubbery so that 



one augments the other, afford pleasing variety and 

 entrancing shadows; bits of lawn half concealed in the 

 border by jutting foliage, paths or stepping-stones lead- 

 ing behind and through the border itself to find a 

 hidden seat, a bit of a garden or unusual plants and 

 naturalized flowers, all of these devices tend to create 

 an impression of spaciousness and to afford pleasant 

 curiosity and constant interest. Such effects can be 

 secured in areas 100 feet square. Green in foliage, 



2090. The rear or personal garden in the formal treatment. Page 1793. 



especially grayish green, lends distance; yellow and 

 strong colors shorten it. Lawns interspersed with many 

 individual specimens, plants and flower-beds however 

 fine, are reduced in appearance of size. A few strag- 

 glers in group arrangement standing in the lawn near 

 the shrubbery or in studied relations to views or 

 little vistas are allowable. (Fig. 2093.) Planting or 

 bedding in straight rows, whether of trees, shrubs or 

 flowers, is likely to reduce the apparent extent. But 

 there is reason to like straight walks when they go 

 directly to an interesting point and do not mar the 

 beauty of a lawn-picture which they take their traveler 

 to examine. (Fig. 2095.) 



Secluded spaciousness in small grounds should be 

 sought, for obvious reasons. The irregular open space 

 bounded by soft indefinite foliage massed in a curving 

 outline of bed seems the successful means of attaining 

 it. The materials of which this massed border is com- 

 posed is a subject determined by its relation to the 

 general plan. As the growth should be highest and 

 thickest where views must be intercepted and lower and 

 thinner where they may be desired, hints are afforded 

 as to placing jutting points and receding bays in its 

 outline. In a general way, such borders should not 

 comprise a catalogue of nursery stock. Choose material 

 first which by ultimate height of growth and foliage 

 habit serves the purpose, and secondly associate with 

 it other material valuable for bloom, fruit or foliage. 

 Mass these in little groups or plantations of three to 

 ten or more, the groups uniting and running together 

 to form a happy mixture of foliage. (Fig. 2095.) In 

 the mixtures, however, strive to find a keynote to 

 maintain through the whole composition. This is struck 

 by the site, the house, the personality of the owner. It 

 may be a wooded place and woodsy plants like cercis. 

 cornus, single viburnum, amelanchier, or hemlock ana 



