THE USE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 299 



itself. The foliage and habit of growth of the different mem- 

 bers of a group should also be in harmony, and if the shrubs 

 bear flowers which are at all conspicuous, conflicting colors 

 should not be placed together. Shrubs should also be graded 

 as to size, the higher in the background, the lower about the 

 outer edge. In some cases, however, the best effects are 

 produced by bold lines or masses of one species of plant. 



415. Shrub planting. When shrubs are set out, they 

 should not be placed too close together, lest the effect be so 

 compact as to appear artificial; room also must be left for 

 convenience in irrigation and cultivation. At the same time, 

 the distances between them must not be very great. There 

 is a happy mean which differs for the various shrubs, local- 

 ities, and soils, and which must be learned by experience. In 

 general it may be said that shrubs set two to four feet apart 

 grow quickly into a single group; if they seem to be too 

 close together as they grow older, a part may be removed. 



Usually the individual plants should be set in such a way 

 as to avoid any suggestion of straight lines. In orchards the 

 trees are desired in rows, but ornamental gardens are more 

 pleasing when the planting does not suggest artificial 

 arrangement. 



416. Trees. From the standpoint of the landscape- 

 gardener, there are two kinds of trees, those with round tops 

 like the oak and elm, and those with pointed tops like the 

 pine and fir. The trees with round tops are, of course, to be 

 preferred where shade is desired; in general, the pointed- 

 topped trees excel in beauty and symmetry of form. 



Each tree must be studied for what it connotes or suggests. 

 The oak, for example, possesses an atmosphere of strength 

 and repose. The palm suggests the oasis of the desert. The 

 Italian cypress is more or less formal in appearance, and 

 should be used only where the treatment calls for such 

 formality. Whenever trees or shrubs possess singular beauty 

 or charm as specimen plants, they should be set by them- 



