Groups may be a part of conventionally arranged planting, as well as of 

 unconventional, or so-called "informal," planting about lawns and other areas. 

 The use of groups in unconventional planting schemes will, of course, be more 

 common in small yards, — in such positions as the angles of walks, the corners of 

 grass plots, the termini of vistas, at house corners, and in similar places. In all 

 such groups, it is usually necessary to space the plants at unequal intervals, and 

 not in rows, but irregularly, although cleverly and purposely, with a view to pro- 

 ducing- the desired eflEect. For example, a small group of three plants would 

 usually be arranged on the plan of a triangle with all of its sides unequal. A group 

 may be compact, resulting eventually in all the plants merging to some degree 

 and thus giving the effect of a single plant; or it may be merged below and have 

 the tops of the individual plants distinct, all depending upon the spacing of the 

 plants and on their habits of growth. Again, a group of three plants may be 

 spaced more widely, resulting in two of the plants merging to some degree while 

 the third stands somewhat apart as an individual. Sometimes it is even possible 

 to so arrange the spacing of three or more plants that there is no merging what- 

 ever, although the group appearance is preserved. Of course, equal and close 

 spacing tends to produce a mass effect and a more regular one; but the more 

 varied and picturesque effect resulting from an unequal spacing is, in most 

 cases, more suitable. Variety of light and shade and of skyline is possible in small 

 groups only to a limited degree. But in situations where five or more plants 

 may be used, variety of effect may be produced more easily by the use of a greater 

 number of plants in a studied but irregular arrangement. 



Usually situations needing small groups do not call for a conspicuous plant 

 feature, but merely for a mass of foliage specific only in quantity and in generally 

 rounded outline. Therefore, small groups at the comers of buildings, at the angles 

 of walks, and in like situations, should, in most cases, consist of but one kind of 

 plant. If a group of three is desired, with the middle plant taller than those on 

 either side, then, as they are planted, a taller one may be selected for this position, 

 or even when the plants are being purchased suitable sizes may be procured for 

 this grouping. As the plants of such groups grow, their relative heights will be 

 maintained. One should realize, however, that in groups and masses, the inside 

 plants tend to grow taller, according as they are crowded, while those on the out- 

 side tend to spread and to grow more laterally. Hence, if several plants of the 

 same species and the same size are planted sufficiently close to merge as they 

 grow, equal spacing wiU tend to result in evenly rounded masses (higher in the 

 center than at the edges), and unequal spacing wiU tend to produce masses of 

 varied and undulating outlines. Therefore, it is not necessary to employ different 

 kinds of plants to produce groups of somewhat varied forms. However, the pro- 

 posed forms and outlines may be realized somewhat sooner, if, when the groups 

 are being planted, the plants are carefully selected with respect to their sizes and 

 shapes, and if they are assembled accordingly, — tall ones where height is desired, 

 and low, spreading ones about the edges. By this means, and as a result of the 

 natural tendency in plants of the same species to assume different habits of growth 

 and rates of growth, within a few years groups consisting of but one kind of shrub 

 or tree will display a sufficient variety of foliage and form to prevent monotony. 

 iThese suggestions apply equally well to shrubs and to trees of all sizes. 



