GARDENS OF FEW FLOWERS 



have lost greatly in individuality. As it stands, how- 

 ever, it pampers rather than offends the taste, and 

 denotes clearly that it has been controlled by one with 

 a knowledge of the nature and the colors of plants. 



It is not a simple matter to plant a hardy border well 

 with few kinds of flowers. As a rule such plantings 

 are desired for color effect rather than for the outline 

 of the flowers, their expressions, or their perfumes. 

 Their color on the distant landscape alone holds the 

 eye and compels the admiration. It may, therefore, 

 be said to be a matter of personal taste whether the 

 individuality of the plant shall be sacrificed or not to 

 the startling effects produced by masses of color. 



In the many beautiful formal gardens which are 

 now found dotted along our coasts, there is not the 

 danger of overplanting that so often breaks through 

 all barriers in the supposed-to-be-unpretentious garden, 

 and especially in hardy borders. This is, perhaps, 

 because the formal garden is recognized as a picture 

 built to abet the landscape, one wherein certain re- 

 strictions and limitations are imperative. I recall one 

 most stately garden at Bar Harbor which includes 

 few flowers. But one would not have their number 

 increased, since those that are there joyously thriving 

 are sufficient in themselves to bespeak the beauty of 

 the entire world of flowers. 



Plate lxviii. represents a formal garden in Magnolia, 

 Massachusetts, one that is well designed and planted 

 with few kinds of flowers. It strikes the high note of 

 cultivation of an estate which in other places portrays, 

 as seen in plate lxix., strong, naturalistic features. 



[251] 



