282 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



United States. There are four or five thousand species and varieties of woody^ 

 plants alone offered in American and foreign catalogues,^ which three-fourths 

 would probably survive the ordinary winters here in Boston and vicinity. Of 

 these a very large number, known by the landscape architect as valuable for orna- 

 mental planting will enable him to produce results and secure effects which cannot 

 possibly be done by a person of more limited knowledge in this direction. While 

 the great variety gives opportunities to produce a much longer season of flower 

 and more interesting winter effects, it is safer to select a few reliably vigorous 

 varieties having good healthy foliage through the season (more of them natives 

 than exotics,) and let them predominate in the planting ; then add to the inter- 

 est — where it comes under more frequent observation — by using a selection of 

 native, exotic or garden forms of woody plants, or hardy perennials. A low 

 border plantation of flowering dogwood, with a few of its red flowered variety, 

 the panicled dogwood, clethra and wild rose — all natives — would give a better 

 result than the same number of exotic varieties, or a many-times increased num- 

 ber of other varieties. If desirable to have more interesting details, large 

 masses of loose-strife, golden-rods, asters, perennial sunflowers and the like 

 would give it, without detracting from the effect of the woody plants. 



The use of colored foliage in a lawn planted in a natural way, seldom pro- 

 duce a pleasing result, but we should not say that it cannot be used ; still it is 

 more properly a feature of the garden. There is more or less fashion displayed 

 in the planting of a lawn. It would be better if the vagaries of fashion were 

 confined to the garden, and that the lawn should partake more of a bit of land- 

 scape, or a grassy glade in the midst of shrubbery or wood. It should have a 

 fringing of green varying in texture, color, and outline, with a frequent glow and 

 constant sparkle of flowers with groups and fine individuals breaking out from 

 the bordering masses, but not interrupting the open centre of the lawn, except- 

 ing to increase the appearance of distance. You would expect to use a larger 

 assortment in a lawn than in a distant border plantation, more exotics and more 

 o-arden varieties, having a variation in flower, but certain reliable varieties should 

 predominate and establish a character for the planting in keeping with the 

 character of the place. 



The position of groups on the lawn will be governed by the views and the 

 topography of the ground. In general, elevation will be planted high and 

 depressions low, or not at all, in order to increase their apparent height or depth. 

 The planting would be arranged so that a slope would be away from it rather 

 than toward it. A border plantation having an irregular edge with points and 

 depressions gives more variety, more effects of light and shade, than a straight 

 edge. In selecting plants, take those which will not attain a size too great for their 

 positions. A border plantation should be an irregular mass of foliage rather than 

 a series of individuals. Thick planting will best serve to produce this result by 

 causing a quicker growth, and natural, graceful outline, with less care and culti- 



