HOW TO PLAN A SMALL GARDEN 23 



connection ought not to be overlooked, but these must be em- 

 ployed in the working out of the design in such a way that while 

 they add to the artistic effect of the height, breadth, and length 

 of the picture, they do not blot out any natural feature of the 

 landscape which will add to the amenities of the scene. 



Not the least important of the considerations that weigh in 

 the planning of a garden is that of aspect. It is useless to expend 

 an infinitude of time in working out the details of a plan, if at the 

 end of it all the position of the garden be such that nothing will 

 thrive in it. Sunshine is a prime necessity for the flower garden ; 

 if the house be in a situation in which the small plot is thrown 

 into almost constant shade it will be a waste of effort to seek to 

 grow flowers to perfection. Happily, however, there are very 

 few garden spaces, even in these northern latitudes, which, owing 

 to the obstruction of buildings or of trees, are in perpetual shade. 

 Every effort must therefore be exerted to arrange the beds and 

 borders in such a manner that the benefit of every available ray 

 of sunshine is secured. The compass should be studied and its 

 points be clearly marked on the plan. Thus it may be taken for 

 granted that the north side of a house, a wall, or a fence, will receive 

 no sunlight. All attempts to grow sun-loving subjects in such a 

 situation will therefore be abandoned, and if it be found necessary 

 in working out the garden scheme to include beds and borders 

 with a north aspect, it will be advisable to waste as little space as 

 possible upon them, and to grow in them only such plants as 

 prefer plenty of shade. Among these may be mentioned ever- 

 green shrubs, such as berberis ; privet and bramble ; box, for 

 edging ; lilac, ivy, periwinkle, Guelder rose, saxifrage, hardy 

 .ferns, calceolarias, cyclamen, 4og's tooth violets; and spring, 

 ljulbs, including fntillarias, chion^oxajmd Crown Imperials. 



An error that is commonly committed in garden planning 

 is to make the principal borders subservient to the paths. Their 

 consideration should be in the reverse order. If the height of 

 the owner's ambition be to cultivate flowers, he will find himself 

 the better able to achieve his purpose if he do not stint his beds 

 and borders for space. The narrow strip of ground generally 



