CHAPTER XVIII 



FORM IN PLANTING 



If in the foregoing chapters I have dwelt rather in- 

 sistently on matters of colour, it is not that I under- 

 rate the equal importance of form and proportion, but 

 that I think that the question of colour, as regards its 

 more careful use, is either more commonly neglected 

 or has had fewer exponents. As in all matters relating 

 to design in gardening, the good placing of plants in 

 detail is a matter of knowledge of an artistic character. 

 The shaping of every group of plants, to have the b^st 

 effect, should not only be definitely intended, but 

 should be done with an absolute conviction by the 

 hand that feels the drawing that the group must have 

 in relation to what is near, or to the whole form of 

 the clump or border or whatever the nature of the 

 place may be. I am only too well aware that to many 

 this statement may convey no idea whatever ; never- 

 theless I venture to insist upon its truth. Moreover, 

 I am addressing this book to the consideration of 

 those who are in sympathy with my views of gardening, 

 among whom I know there are many who, even if they 

 have not made themselves able, by study and long 

 practice, to show in groundwork and garden design 

 the quality known to artists as drawing — by which is 



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