FITTING THE GARDEN TO THE HOUSE 



suburbs, one of the things which try men's souls; while one 

 might almost say that in suburbs and villages the chief end 

 of gardening, as far as the home grounds are concerned, is to 

 take away the orphaned appearance of the house, to make it 

 look as if it belonged to some one who cared for it, and as 

 if the bit of ground on which it is set down were really its 

 home. 



The color of the house is another matter of which, In plant- 

 ing, the gardener should take notice. This, of course, may 

 be altered, and when having the house painted it is not a bad 

 idea to bear in mind its possibiUties as a background for plants. 

 I once knew a worthy lady who painted her house to harmo- 

 nize with some magnificent rhododendrons which grew near it, 

 and every passer-by who admired the rhododendrons blessed 

 her unaware. Yet only around the corner, beside a house of 

 reddish brown, was an unhappy azalea — aflame in that crim- 

 son-magenta which, as far as quarrelsomeness is concerned, 

 carries a chip on its shoulder — and not even an evergreen be- 

 tween to break the violence of a color effect which would 

 almost have knocked down a Japanese gardener ! Far from 

 enjoying the blooming of the unfortunate plant, one could 

 only be thankful when it was over. 



In order to avoid such casualties I give a few hints for 

 some shrubs and vines which may safely be planted near the 

 house. 



For a House of White Clapboards with Green 

 Shutters 



Try some of the following: 



vines 

 Wild grape. Roses — ^Dawson or Debutante or 



Wistaria. Wichuraiana. 



25 



