86 Landscape Gardening 



so happily mixed together in broader or smaller patches 

 towards the j miction of the two, that while the strongest con- 

 trast was apparent, there was at the same time by the irregu- 

 larity with which the outlines of each were intermingled, — 

 the masses of light and shade gradually losing themselves in 

 each other, — a really gentle and easy transition. 



The illustrations thus referred to appear to teach several 

 things. If two trees or plants, or two masses of either, hav- 

 ing very opposite characters, are sought to be placed side by 

 side, for the purpose of contrast, they should be put near 

 enough to enable their branches to intermix v, ith one another, 

 that the contrast may not be too sudden. In the case of 

 two groups of very different plants, such as Hght-leaved 

 deciduous and dark-leaved evergreen varieties, being wished 

 to be brought together, a few of each sort should be irregu- 

 larly thrown into the adjoining group, to produce the same 

 effect as the interwreathing of branches would do with single 

 specimens. 



Again, where a contrasted tree or shrub, or group of the 

 same, is not desired to be placed so near its opposite neigh- 

 bor as to allow the branches to mingle, or the sorts to blend 

 at the edges of the mass, some intermediate plant or plants 

 of a quiet neutral tint, or some breadth of lawn, in which the 

 grass will answer the same end, should be interposed between 

 the two to soften away the abruptness of the change. 



The examples further show that the particular expression 

 of contrast which is most desirable to be attained, need not 

 detract from the general harmony of a place. There is that 

 about plants which renders it possible, by letting them grow 

 into each other, as has been shown, to put the most strikingly 

 different species side by side, without any violent or startling 

 effect resulting. If the same thing were done with objects 

 having square or regular edges, that were equally dissimilar, 



