126 BOOK OF GARDEN PLANS 
Safety isin the middle course between the two extremes; this involves 
far more than a consideration of the plants themselves. The test is 
“fitness” of the planting to its surroundings. This varies with the cen- 
turies, the topography and climate, the national life, and individual 
taste. From these arise the garden types—formal, natural, Italian, 
Japanese, rock, marsh, “‘wild,” etc.—considered from the point of view 
of the plants used. Each arrangement has its uses, as a study of the 
garden art shows. I shall not pick flaws in the theories of the past, 
but outline some of the tendencies of to-day as we consider plan making. 
CHOICE OF MATERIAL 
With the esthetic sense of ‘fitness’ is inseparably connected the 
aspect of physical “‘luxuriance.”’ We insist that growing things look 
healthy as well as well-placed. A starved, neglected, though well- 
designed, planting has little artistic excellence. Even a luxuriant field 
of corn gives a sense of esthetic satisfaction that a most expensive formal 
garden may not have. This luxuriance comes from the choice of mate- 
rial used, the care with which it is planted, and then the upkeep. 
While the plan for arrangement 1s being made is the time to decide 
on the tree and flower types to be used. Think first in tvpes rather than 
in individual plants. If a tree, ask: is it to be tall or low-branched? 
for shade or flowers? with heavy or light foliage? etc. If a shrub: is it 
to be evergreen or not, for flower, fruit, or form, for screen, specimen, or 
ground cover? And how are the herbs to serve in the landscape: by 
their flowers, foliage, or roots? Merely because I like a certain plant 
it does not get on my planting plans, and often I use trees that individu- 
ally I don’t like, but they fill a purpose. There are available various 
lists indicating the effects of plants on the landscape; and it is educational 
to make them for yourself. 
We might head our various lists as follows, though no two notebooks 
will have the same lists: 
LIST OF PLANT TYPES 
TREES EXAMPLE TREES EXAMPLE 
Height Leafage—Continued 
Tall (100 ft.) .  . American Elm Shade light . . Locust 
Large (60 ft.) American Linden Evergreen. . Pine 
Medium (40 ft.) . Crabapple Autumn colora- 
Small (20 ft.) .  . Flowering Dogwood tion . . . Red Maple 
Large . .  . Catalpa 
Small . . . . Willow 
Leafage Hang late . . English Oak 
Early in leaf . Larch Drop early . . Sycamore 
Late in leaf . . Catalpa ut . . . Weir’s Maple 
Shade dense . Horsechestnut Colored, Etc... Purple Beech 
