SHRUB GROUPS FOR WINTER AND 

 SUMMER EFFECT 



In the gardens of Lord Aldenham at Elstree an 

 interesting feature is the grouping of shrubs for 

 summer and winter effect, and some valuable notes 

 contributed to the Garden by the gardener there, 

 Mr. Beckett, may be helpful to those desirous of 

 getting the best results from both tree and shrub : — 



The grouping of suitable subjects, either in the 

 pleasure-ground proper, on the margin of wood, 

 lake, and stream, and especially so in the half-wild 

 garden, when carefully carried out, has such a good 

 effect at all seasons that it is difficult to understand 

 why it is not more generally done, for only when 

 massed together is it possible to see the true beauty 

 of many of the commoner hardy shrubs. For some 

 years we have practised this way of planting to a 

 considerable extent, and I will endeavour to give 

 my experience as a possible help to others. 



The chief desire here has been to create autumn 

 and winter effect, and I may mention that Nature 

 has assisted us but little, as the land is not un- 

 dulating but generally flat and uninteresting, con- 

 sequently much thought and attention have been 

 devoted to attaining the desired object. No two 

 shrubs grown either for the beauty of their leaves 



