HISTORY & DESCRIPTION OF STYLES 15 



On wide grassy lawns below a broad terrace no- 

 thing looks finer than a brilliant parterre. The 

 design at Shobdon Court, on page 14, is laid out 

 below the south-west terrace, and sets off the 

 building, and by contrast increases the charm of 

 the garden beyond. Note how coherent the 

 design is, working round two main points. The 

 open circle of grass at one end gives lightness to 

 the rather large beds that surround it. The box 

 edging gives strength to the outline, and in places 

 serves to bind parts together. The same house 

 has another set piece of flower beds, in quite 

 another style, on the lawn below the south-east 

 front. 



There is hardly any garden large or small that 

 has not place for this type of design, which when 

 suitable gives pleasure by reason of its daintiness 

 and avowed artificiality. It may be compared to 

 a Dresden china figure which is not so intrinsically 

 artistic as a Greek statue, but is still a source of 

 pleasure. The size of the design is determined by 

 that of the house and the ground. The smaller 

 designs consort well with the terrace, the forecourt, 

 the rose garden or other special departments. In 

 making these designs care must be taken that they 

 are not spotty. An abundance of small beds 

 produces this effect. Diagram 5 shows a set of 

 beds on a lawn, made about the year 1850. It is 

 too scattered, and there are awkward corners in the 

 beds, and very short plants would be needed to 



