130 BOOK OF GARDEN PLANS 
depend too much on actual conditions to discuss them at present. But 
the several theories of plant arrangement we can touch upon. 
(1) The severely simple, “somebody lives there.”” A simple grouping 
of simple types of plants for simple places, mere touches of vegetation to 
afford relief: the suburban lot may be so treated. 
(2) Special effects, of form, foliage, formality, season, color, etc. Here 
the plants are grouped to give certain definite effects to carry out the 
design; much of the usual planting is mostly of this order. 
(3) Botanic relationship, a study in the relation of form, foliage, etc., 
of various plants related botanically. The eye naturally sees the dif- 
ferences and likenesses of a group of the various V iburnums, Spireas, or 
other genus. This idea of plant relation may be introduced in very 
restricted areas, but a large estate will allow its greater development. 
It has nothing to do with a botanic garden. 
(A) Ecological, or plant affinity groupings. A placing together of 
plants that are found together in Nature. This is most useful in “wild” 
planting. A group of Sumac, Sweet Fern, Asters, and Goldenrod has an 
artistic merit to our eve because we have seen them growing together on 
many New England hillsides. Again: Cattail, Water Lily, Elder. Such 
combinations are endless. 
QUALITY OF MATERIAL 
Arranged on the plan, the plants are next to be purchased. Well- 
developed nursery stock with straight stems and good root systems is 
always the cheapest and the best. No plant was ever too well grown. 
For immediate finished effect near the house the very best of plants are 
none too good. Put the money allowance into quality rather than in 
quantity, for a few well-developed plants are of far more value than a 
lot of skinny ones. On large estates, both at the beginning of the work 
and for maintenance, a nursery should be kept up, not so much for the 
money that may be saved, but to have a supply of well-grown plants 
within easy reach that can be drawn upon for immediate effects. But 
when a good deal of ground must be covered at little expense, and we are 
willing to wait a few years for finished results, then collected plants are 
the thing. Then the greater part of the appropriation can go into the 
soil preparation, and if the stock is suited to the soil and is given a fair 
chance, a few years hence it will even rival nursery stock. It is a ques- 
tion of plant habits rather than for argument. Sumac pulled from the 
woods is as good as the best nursery plants; but a collected Elm from the 
woods is worthless, as it will probably never have a high arching 
shape. 
