Gardening for Amateurs 



A vigorous shrub such as Rhododendron may 

 good effect at the junction of garden 



be planted with 

 walks. 



unbroken mass or the lawn will at once lose 

 whatever spaciousness it possessed. The 

 secret of planning a small garden or one of 

 moderate size is to avoid defining its limits 

 and always to arrange for glimpses beyond 

 and between its shrubs and plants. 



Banks and Dells. A garden may often 

 be made additionally attractive by varying 

 the levels ; where there are little hills there 

 are also little hollows, and by planting the 

 latter with low plants and the former with 

 those of more vigorous growth variety of 

 effect is obtained, and the aspect of the 

 garden is at least saved from monotony. 

 The creation of a dell with its attendant 

 banks or a terrace supported by a low wall 

 and reached by a few steps may involve 

 some extra labour, but such innovations im- 

 prove a flat garden out of all knowledge. 

 One might arrange for a sunk rose garden, 

 planting the high ground immediately around 

 it with a hedge of Barberry or China Roses ; 

 throw up a mound, planting it with flowering 

 shrubs, smothering the ground beneath with 

 Daffodils ; raise the soil here and there near 

 the boundary fence before planting small 

 trees and climbers, or arrange for a low rock 

 wall ; these are some of the ways in which, 



without very much 

 trouble, the charm of a 

 garden may be greatly 

 increased. 



Some Final Hints. 

 Once the reader has 

 decided on what style 

 he will develop the 

 garden there are some 

 points which he must 

 recognise in making up 

 the design. First of 

 all let him study origin- 

 ality ; originality is the 

 very essence of art, and 

 no man can shine as a 

 gardening artist if his 

 garden is copied from 

 those which already 

 exist. The garden is 

 his interpretation, and 

 even small areas are 

 amenable to fine plan- 

 ning. Gaiety of tone 

 may be apparent 



throughout the place or quietness show 

 in every aspect ; each border must be 

 a dainty unit of an elegant whole, and 

 every walk should lead to an appropriate 

 termination. Xo walk should face the 

 bare wall ; blind the end with a nice 

 shrub, hide the wall under a pretty climber 

 or mask it with an arch. Let the path curve 

 gently to expose new vistas at every turn, 

 and to assist the charm of the unexpected, 

 plant here and there to hide the new aspect 

 until it suddenly shows in fresh beauty. 

 A semicircular end to a square walk relieves 

 the eye, a seat hidden in a shady nook or 

 verdant arbour at the terminus has the 

 same soothing effect. Sharp corners, not 

 always avoidable, are toned down by a centre 

 piece a sundial, fountain, shrub, or weeping 

 rose, while even the confluence of two walks 

 is improved by the same thing. 



Simplicity and intricacy must both be in 

 evidence to obtain the most effective planning. 

 Intricacy must not go too far, however, and 

 lead to contorted forms and unnatural lines. 

 Vases are useful for decorative effect, but 

 they must never be lavishly distributed, 

 while objects of sculpture must be sub- 

 servient to nature in the garden. 



