THE PLANTING PLAN 



55 



bination of buildings and planting materials is obtained by planting 

 for contrast. Thus, conical or upright growing trees look well against 

 the Grecian style of building, and for use with a Gothic style 

 structure trees of a broad, round character and more or less flat 

 growth are most effective. 



Thought should also be given to the period of the particular 

 architecture and the way in which the kind of plant material used 

 harmonizes with that time. For instance, the Colonial house natur- 

 ally suggests plants and flowers that were brought over by the early 

 settlers, such as Boxwood, Ehns, Phlox, Hollyhocks, etc. 



THE USE OF TREES 



The next step in developing the design is to place the trees which 

 constitute its framework. 



Trees are planted primarily either for shade, protection, as a 

 background (Fig. 54A) or to "frame the picture" (Fig. 54B). In 

 keeping with the general design, however, the specimen lawn trees 

 should be planted at the salient or outstanding points in the borders, 

 rather than in bays. 



Background — When planting for a background, tall growing 

 trees that produce dark shadows should be selected and set in clumps 

 rather close together, the distance back from the house depending upon 



Fig. 55.— In planting trees on a lawn where ample room is provided, it is best to place 



them in such positions that they will frame the house as seen from some prominent point. 



such as the front entrance 



