CHAPTER IV 

 Suburban Gardens 



NEW villas spring up constantly, and the laying-out of their gardens 

 is proceeded with on the most commonplace lines, which is a pity, 

 since a little originality attracts so much admiration and interest. 

 It is a fact, too, that a great many more pretty features can be 

 found room for in a correctly planned garden, because space is 

 not wasted in unnecessary paths, strips of lawn, etc. Fig. 1 shows 

 how a small detached villa residence was surrounded ; instead of the 

 usual front lawn edged by borders the grass comes up to the open 

 iron railing on a low wall ; the Laburnum, Almond Tree, and 

 Weigela clump seem to be growing in the grass ; the Deodars also. 

 An important air is given to the entrance in two ways, by the 

 remarkably wide gravel walk up to the house, and the pillar roses on 

 either side of the wrought-iron gate. A Rhododendron hedge follows 

 the slope of the path to the back door, the opposite border plot being 

 devoted to a fine collection of Briar Roses, which are pleasant to 

 look upon at all seasons. 



A lawn of irregular curves is the feature of the back garden ; 

 opposite the garden door is wide gravel with a Yucca, which could 

 well be grown in a tall stone urn upon a stone plinth. The grass 

 from the front joins the side lawn, being shut off from it by a 

 wide arch, inside which is a gate, either of iron to match the front 

 one, or lattice or painted wire. Evergreen shrubs shut out the view 

 on each side of the arch, so passers-by gain only a vista glimpse of 

 turf and Standard Roses ; beyond these a belt of flowering shrubs is 

 designed to give privacy to the grounds. A path encircles the lawn, 

 leading to a two-sided summer-shelter in the corner of the walls, and 

 when the Delphiniums and Carnations are blossoming together, and 

 the Sweet Peas and annuals are also gay, one can imagine that this 

 resting-place would be a delight indeed. The belt of Aucubas shuts 

 off the outbuildings, and a large rockery for Ferns, or German Iris, 



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