204 PR.ACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



To get a good color scheme and sequence of bloom it is well to 

 make a plan of the beds first and figure out the spaces and the 

 quantities, such as has been done on the plans illustrated. To 

 facilitate this work a list of plants to be used, arranged according 

 to season of bloom, height and color, will be of great help. 



BORDER BEDS SHOULD NOT BE GR.ADUATED E\TENLY AS TO HEIGHT 



It is a mistake to plant all the rear row with tall plants, 

 the middle rows with medium growing ones, and the border with 

 low varieties. ]More consideration should be given to the profile 

 or, as the artist would say, the " sky line." To obtain the most 

 pleasmg effects with perennials plant so that the taller varieties 

 (Fig. 162) will stand out boldly and not be held up on both sides 

 by some other tall kind. Set off the Larkspurs (Fig. 162), Holly- 

 hocks (Fig. 163), or Foxgloves by some lower growing kind next to 

 them, and show the medium growing varieties to better advantage 

 by introducing tall kinds for contrast. 



BACKGROUND FOR BORDERS 



Where space permits of long borders of good width the question 

 of a suitable background (Fig. 164) should not be entirely over- 

 looked. Good supporting growth adds greatly to the charm and 

 attractiveness of perennial plantings. For this reason it is well to 

 introduce shrubs or evergreens at regular intervals in borders along 

 walks. These will strengthen the planting and add to the character. 



ROSE CHAINS IN PERENNIAL BORDERS 



Another pleasing addition to the perennial border is the 

 introduction of cedar posts at intervals of from ten to twelve feet, 

 through which, at a point about ten inches from the top of the post, 

 a chain of one and one-half inch links should be run. Plant a 

 climbing Rose at each post, to form a pillar of green, and train the 

 leaders along the chain to form a festoon. 



ARCHES 0\'ER WALKS 



Rose arches (Fig. 165) are pleasing to tie together border beds 

 along walks and increase the apparent distance. These should not 

 be planted too closely together; fifteen to twenty feet apart is the 

 most satisfactory distance. 



PLANTING IN CLUMPS 



It is not advisable to dot single plants of favorite varieties all 

 through the borders. Rather, have some good clumps (Fig. 166) 



