The Livable House 



planting," and all but limited its use to such a meaning. But 

 there are appropriate places for specimen trees and bushes of the 

 right sort — although there is no place for exotic-looking speci- 

 mens but the museum or arboretum. 



The general rule of keeping centers of lawns and open spaces 

 clear and confining the planting to borders, with the possible ex- 

 ception in the case of big spaces to a very limited number of 

 judiciously planted groups, is familiar to every one in this day of 

 the ubiquitous garden article. But too rigid an interpretation of 

 the rule is apt to result in wall-like borders; these may be broken 

 here and there, and points may be brought out or emphasized by 

 the use of individual trees and bushes. Such points as these offer 

 opportunities for planting the especially fine bush or tree, the 

 good qualities of which one wishes to exhibit. 



The corners of flower beds, doorways and gates, avenues — such 

 prominent places as these call for the picked or specimen plant. 



Using specimen in the sense of any chosen or carefully selected 

 thing, there is another sort of specimen planting which is valu- 

 able — that of the tree or bush chosen for its interesting, rather 

 than its perfect, form. One example — the very delightful foun- 

 tain at F(M-est Hills Gardens — will serve to illustrate the charm 

 contributablc by a gnarly twisted specimen which has the pleas- 

 ing look of just happening. 



The terrace of the Iloyt Ikhisc at Southampton has several sets 

 of very pleasing specimens: the old Paulownia trees on either side 

 of the steps, the ye\\'s and the hydrangeas. Incidentally this 

 planting is peculiarly suitable to the type of architecture. The 



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