PLANTING. 53 



the outline of a group is not meant a hard artificial boundary, en- 

 closing an earthen bank on which trees and shrubs are planted ; 

 but a line to which it is intended that the plants should spread, 

 covering the earth surface, and such an outline should be graceful, 

 and give the required filling to the general design, even when the 

 verge first marked may be overgrown. The outline of such groups 

 in a garden is to be set out, and to it the ground is generally turfed. 

 Nothing can be in worse taste, or more in derogation of the pur- 

 pose of such groups, than to mark the outline with a formal row 

 of bedding plants, or other stiff edging a mistake that is frequently 

 committed. Where low flowering plants are introduced, they should 

 grow naturally to the edge, and separate plants may be placed 

 beyond the main group, so as still more to destroy simple formality 

 of effect in this connection. Formal planting may be introduced, 

 with propriety at the intersection of a walk, or at a point where 

 there is some artificial combination ; but unless quite appropriate, 

 its best effect is dearly purchased by the loss of naturalness in ex- 

 pression that may otherwise be achieved 'or maintained. When 

 formal bedding-out is made thus at particular positions, the contain- 

 ing bed should receive a regular shape, and be made with flat surface, 

 to distinguish it from the natural grouping. In other regions of the 

 place, formal arrangement and bedding-out is quite appropriate on 

 the terrace gardens and parterres, where plants are brought from 

 the glass-houses for seasonable growth and decoration, or where 

 permanent evergreen foliage plants are arranged, for instance. There 

 is, moreover, the planting of the so-called "American" garden to 

 be considered, where plants delighting in a peaty soil are grouped 

 together, such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, Andromedas, etc. 

 There is the trim yew-hedge, lined with recesses for vases and for 

 seats, in close proximity to, or surrounding the old-fashioned her- 

 baceous garden. Another division is the rock garden, where the 



