THE PLANTING PLAN 59 



If a flower garden is desired, it should be enclosed as a separate 

 unit, either by a hedge or shrubbery. Where space does not permit a 

 flower garden, the shrubbery borders might be brightened by planting 

 old-fashioned flowers in masses here and there along them toward the 

 front. To add interest to a lawn, a birdbath in a shady nook, or a 

 sundial in the open might be included — but when a home (which in- 

 cludes the grounds) receives the interested touch of the owner, many 

 ideas will occur that will make the whole design quite individual. 



In some cases the property is so narrow that it is not feasible to 

 devote space to shrubbery borders; in this case a fairly tall hedge 

 along the line will give the desired privacy without loss of space. Such 

 a property should, as a general rule, be treated in a more formal man- 

 ner, Uiat is, by using chiefly straight lines in both planting and walks, 

 and following the architectural style throughout the planting schemes. 



THE FOUNDATION PLANTING 



By this term is meant the planting close to the house, the object 

 of which, as the name suggests, is to conceal or soften the foundation. 



This is the commonest phase of planting, and it is greatly overdone. 

 Instances are common where the house is practically hidden behind a 

 wall of shrubs or evergreens that have grown so large as to shut out 

 light and air, and which instead of beautifying the property have 

 really become a detriment. 



A good rule to follow in foundation plantings is this: The lower 

 the floor level, the less base planting is necessary. Only where the 

 house is set on a fairly high foundation should the planting be con- 

 tinuous across the front, and even then no tall growing plants should 

 be used under or near the windows. The most effective treatment 

 is to extend and widen the planting at the corners, leaving only a thin 

 line, if any, along the face of the building (Fig. 59). 



Where the floor level is practically on the same line as the grade, 

 all that is generally necessary is to accentuate the entrance by planting 

 a specimen at each side, and to place a few at each corner to soften the 

 sharp angle where walls and ground meet. Often some clinging vines 

 will answer the purpose and, speaking of vines, the right kinds make 

 excellent covers for the open porch. It is economical to use copper 

 wire on which to train them. 



