EXAMPLES OF GARDEN DESIGN. 



In the park there are a number of fine old trees, mostly oak, elm, and sycamore, Gardens on 

 which were incorporated in the plan of the park plantations shown in illustration No. 350 ; a flat s ^ e - 

 also good young timber plantations between the North end of the house and the stables, 

 and a fine belt of beech of about 40 years' growth in the plantation near the moat, 

 between the tennis lawn and the public highway, extending in width from the fence 

 shown on the plan to the edge of the moat. This young timber had been much injured 

 by a number of spruce, planted evidently as nursers, which were felled and replaced with 

 undergrowths, consisting of rhododendrons, especially R. caucasicum album, which is a 

 capital grower in shade azaleas, lilacs, common yews, hollies and brambles, with large 

 patches of St. John's wort, periwinkle, ground ivy, vaccineum and gaultheria. Amongst 

 these, again, are naturalised snowdrops, daffodils, wood anemones, wood hyacinths, 

 American wood lilies, and other hardy Spring flowers, while on the margin of the pond 

 are planted Iris kampferii, Iris florentina, and all sorts of sub-aquatic plants. In the 

 pond are planted a fine collection of water lilies, water hawthorn, nelumbiums, &c. 



In addition to the yew and sweet briar hedges, Irish yews were arranged on the 

 terrace, and also golden and common yews clipped into shape, mostly as squares or 

 pyramids. The rose garden, which occupies such an important position between the 

 carriage court and the park, is planted with old-fashioned varieties, such as the York 

 and Lancaster, the old blush, China, and damask, musk and Macartney, all planted in 

 masses ; and on the walls are choice tea and noisette varieties, which are all growing 

 freely. 



Some of the details are indicated on the sections, and these, in addition to those 

 shown in the photographs, will give a good idea of the effect obtained in the several 

 parts of this garden, and also serve to show the importance attached to architectural 

 features in a level district ; this being one of those places which could not have 

 been converted into a satisfactory garden without recourse to the many forms of 

 garden architecture that are here introduced. 



A GARDEN IN GRANITE. 



Although only completed eighteen months before it was photographed, this garden 

 proves the soundness of certain principles already several times insisted upon, namely : 

 that stone walls, of which some garden owners seem so afraid, may present great oppor- 

 tunities for garden effects, and that local materials and building methods should invariably 

 be adopted wherever possible ; also that much ornamental detail is generally unnecessary, 

 while such as is allowable should express as simply as possible the character of the 

 constructive material. This West-country garden is situated in a district abounding in a 

 rough-grained granite, found lying on the surface of the surrounding moors and woods, 

 and always beautifully weathered on the exposed face. The stone splits well but is 

 not adapted to fine dressing or small moulds, yet is most effective in squared blocks or 

 columns, with walls built in rough rubble. Instead of classic nosing to the steps, for 

 instance, the undershadow is obtained by a roughly picked splay rounded over to the 

 face of the tread, which are set in random lengths laid on a solid rubble core. 



In the wall garden which figures in the end papers to the book, no dressing beyond 

 rough scabbling was attempted, the crannies being filled with rock plants. The success 

 of this work has inclined me still more towards simple retaining walls in preference to 

 expensive pierced work and balustrades, which, though necessary to mansions designed 

 in the grand style, are not essential to houses of moderate dimensions ; and the money 

 thus saved could be more effectively expended upon good modern sculpture. 



I was called upon to advise on the improvement of the property, about eight 

 years ago, before any serious plans had been made for the house or its setting ; the 

 owner having decided to improve the existing residence and to lay out new gardens, 



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