Secrets of Ornamental Planting 



Landscaping Simplified 



There are two great divisions of landscape gardening. 



First, there is the so-called formal school, which is also termed geometrical or artificial. This 

 method was largely used in the formal gardens of the old world; however, it is not suited to American 

 homes and American conditions of climate. The only place in this book where we will consider the 

 formal type is under the subject of rose and flower gardens. For full explanation of this subject, see 

 page 13, under "Gardens." 



Naturalistic or Informal Landscaping 



The second great division of landscape gardening and the one which we will consider in this book 

 is known as the informal or naturalistic school. Naturalistic is probably the best name for this type 

 of landscaping, because the name is self-explanatory. It is exactly what the name indicates a planting 

 that follows and imitates Nature. This is the one great principle to bear in mind make your land- 

 scape planting resemble the work of Nature. The naturalistic planting gives a feeling of freedom and 

 restfulness. Everyone knows that there is a certain enjoyment and relaxation in getting out among 

 natural growing things. That is why all of us are drawn to the woods and parks it is a pleasant and 

 restful change after the strain of office, factory or housekeeping. 



Naturalistic Planting Characterized by Irregular, 

 Graceful Curves 



Plantings of the naturalistic type, as they resemble 

 Nature, must be irregular and uneven no straight, hard 

 geometrical lines. The shrub groups and borders are laid 

 out in long, undulating, irregular curves that give a grace- 

 ful and natural effect to the planting. Let us repeat 

 again the essence of naturalistic planting is Nature itself. 



Landscaping the Typical American Home 



In America the typical home is of moderate or small 

 size. The large country estate or the big suburban property 

 of the wealthy class is the exception rather than the rule. 

 What we have to say in the following pages will appeal 

 especially to the owner of the more moderate sized home, 

 and this book will therefore appeal to the vast major-it i/ of 

 Americans. However, the general principles and suggest- 

 ions that we will explain will be applicable also to the 

 larger and more extensive properties. Our aim is to ex- 

 plain in clear, concise and easy-to-understand language the 

 general principles and practices of landscaping so that 

 anyone can read this book and have a good understanding A Country Schoolhouse with Vines and Shrubs 



of the subject and thus prevent COStly and unfortunate When the children are young is the time to interest them 



mistakes in laying out landscape plantings. 



Lack of Landscape Experience Cause of Most Mistakes 



Very few persons have had the opportunity or time 

 to devote to the study of landscape gardening, nevertheless 

 they have had a desire to properly plant their lawns. As 

 a result, they have planted a few shrubs and trees here 

 and there scattered over the lawn without any definite 

 plan or consideration of the effect on the property when 

 taken as a whole. They have had the natural desire to 

 see something grow and as a result their lawn becomes a 

 sort of patchwork. The man who builds a house considers 

 it a proposition to be taken as a whole. It is not a series 

 of additions, such as building one room at a time. The 

 same principle holds true in landscape planting it is 

 necessary that a general scheme or plan should be followed 

 no matter whether this plan is on paper or in one's head. 



Home Grounds Divided Into Three Parts 



Every property is divided into three main divisions or 

 parts. 



First, we have the semi-public portion of the home 

 grounds. This includes the front lawn, entrance and all 

 that portion of the grounds which can be viewed from the 

 street or road, or by neighbors. 



Second, we have the private portion of the place. 

 This portion of the grounds is shut off from the public view 

 A Moderate-sized American Home Made Cozy by Shrubs an( j should be considered as a sort of an out-of-doors living 



^^^a^ald^teo^^^^ TreeS room Here is where the family can have privacy and 

 liarberry hedge would improve it. solitude. Here is where the rose garden should be laid out. 



