124 GARDENS : THEIR FORM AND DESIGN 



temple are placed in the narrow part, where they will 

 best be seen reflected. The small curvature of outline 

 gives scope for planting some special flower or some 

 particularly noticeable plant, which will add to the 

 picturesque view from the summer-house. Perhaps a 

 raft made of wood will be secured to the bank. Earth 

 is placed in the small divisions, and irises will flourish 

 there and their blue and dark mauve be reflected in the 

 water. We know that, as regards happy effects of light, 

 objects such as trees, water, hills, all natural objects, 

 in short, appear best with the sun behind them, whilst 

 houses, boats, cultivated fields, villages, and artificial 

 objects look best when the sun is full upon them. It is 

 well to bear this in mind when placing features such as 

 sheds or boat-houses, or when considering what distant 

 views to admit by opening out a woodland glade. The 

 chief note of colour in this lake garden, which goes by 

 the name of " the Floating Island," is red. This is seen 

 in the colour of the summer-house and adjoining temple, 

 of which the woodwork is red. The paper lanterns hang- 

 ing from the roof add to this impression, for when lit up 

 at night they are orange and red. Here and there large 

 rocks project into the lake and make an uneven line. 

 Cotoneaster horizontalis is largely planted near these, for 

 its spreading habit and dark green foliage make a happy 

 contrast to the grey stone. Other tall, dark green trees 

 mingle with the massed groups of red maple, which are 

 placed in positions where they will best be seen reflected 

 in the water. 



The shape of the lake is good, because it will be noticed 

 that it disappears from view. Thus a much larger 

 appearance is given to this sheet of water than if it were 

 spread in one direction before the spectator. The 

 Japanese are most accomplished masters of restraint in 

 all design work, and in gardens it is wonderful how much 



