DH H GARDEN MAGAZINE 
Marcu, 1916 
Famous for 
purity and 
fertility 
for more than 100 years. 
END for our novel book 
on “A Garden tor a 
Family of Six.” You will 
find it a real help in planning 
your vegetable garden: and 
for flowers too. 
Our big 1916 Catalog will 
also be sent you with it. This 
year’s copy exceeds all previ- 
ous efforts. It contains a 
wealth of good advice, of care- 
ful description, of beautiful 
pictures, and of clear, simple 
cultural directions which you 
will find invaluable. 
Our “COLLECTIONS” of 
flower and vegetable seeds on 
pages 11 and 12 of our catalog, 
ranging in price from $1.00 
upwards, will especially inter- 
est you. Write for both these 
books today. They will be sent 
you free postage paid. 
J. M. Thorburn & Co. 
Established 1802 
53-B Barclay St., through to 54 Park Place 
NEW YORK 
UVES TAIL 
N PLANTING and 
arranging the 
flower garden one 
should be very careful 
to place the different 
plants in situations 
where they are not 
only most effective in 
themselves but where 
they tend to give the 
group, as a whole, its 
most pleasing aspect. 
Much care is taken to 
place the different 
flowers as regards 
their height, color, 
time of bloom and 
foliage value. Pleas- 
i 
EES AND SHRVBS 
to texture alone. Color 
plays an important 
part. This is seen 
not only in the foliage 
but in the blossoms 
and fruits as well. 
When Snowberries are 
planted in front of 
Lilacs or MHoney- 
suckles the effect is 
pleasing because of the 
color harmony exist- 
ing in their foliage, 
the leaves of each 
shrub having a pe- 
culiar bluish tinge. 
In the question of 
texture the quality of 
ing combinations are - ° leaf surface plays an 
readily noticeable be- Shrub Combinations That Go Well . important pare Some 
cause they are gener- ; 
ally based upon the color harmony existing 
between the flowers themselves. In the case of 
shrubs, however, foliage as _a rule plays a 
more important part than the bloom, which 
lasts but a short time at the most. Good 
effects in grouping shrubs generally depend, 
therefore, upon harmony or pleasing contrast 
in foliage and to a smaller degree on the flowers 
or fruits. 
In dealing with shrubs, a new element, text- 
ure, which in the case of flowers is more appro- 
priately placed under the heading of “foliage 
value,” now assumes a role of greater impor- 
tance. By texture we mean the fineness or 
coarseness of the dominant thing in the shrub 
as we see it; in winter it is the twigs or 
branches, while in summer the leaves first at- 
tract our attention. 
While texture plays an important part in 
shrub groupings, scarcely less important is the 
habit of growth. The manner of growth of 
plants roughly divides itself into two general 
classes; first, shrubs having a compact, tightly 
knit form of growth such as Thunberg’s Bar- 
berry; and secondly, shrubs of a more open 
habit, of which Staghorn Sumac is a good 
example. Shrubs of the second class are beau- 
tiful on account of their graceful manner of 
branching and their irregular outline. The 
effects of lights and shadows and the individual 
beauty of the leaves and twigs are more appar- 
ent in shrubs of this class. The two groups 
grade into each other so that it is sometimes a 
problem to determine in which class to place a 
shrub. It is evident, however, that typical 
examples of the two classes when planted to- 
gether are apt to prove inharmonious. 
Thunberg’s Barberry and Staghorn Sumac 
together are apt to be displeasing to the eye. 
If Spiraea Van Houttei be planted between 
them the effect is quite the opposite, showing 
that the former bad effect was not due so much 
to texture as to the wide difference in their 
habits of growth. 
In the arranging and planting of shrubs, as is 
the case with flowers, place them in situations 
in which they will do the best. That is, take 
into account whether a shrub requires a sunny 
or a shady situation and the kind of soil to 
which it is adapted. As a rule, shrubs of simi- 
lar texture and habits of growth go well to- 
gether. Shrubs of the same family and closely 
allied families generally form accordant groups 
when associated with one another. The 
Viburnums form pleasing masses when they are 
planted together in variety. They are coarsely 
textured but rank among our most valuable 
ornamental shrubs. Besides showy flowers and 
decorative fruits, they possess handsome foliage 
which generally assumes wonderful fall color- 
ings. 
The Dogwoods are another group which ex- 
hibit many pleasing effects when planted by 
themselves or with Viburnums. The family 
contains many members which are of especial 
value. The Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum, 
is much used when the effect of distance is 
desired. The purplish character of its branches 
and twigs suits it for this purpose. The red- 
branched Dogwood is another shrub chiefly 
valuable for its winter color. In front of ever- 
greens they are especially effective. Their bril- 
liant red branches against the green back- 
ground do much to brighten the winter land- 
scape. 
Attractive shrub combinations are not due 
The Readers’ Service is prepared to advise parents in regard to schools 
' ‘ shrubs have leaves 
with a thick leathery surface such as Vibur- 
num lJantana, or Wayfaring tree, while others 
have foliage with a smoother surface, and there 
are still others whose leaf surfaces are dis- 
tinetly shiny. Aralia pentaphylla, .Rhamnus 
frangula and Cornus mas are shrubs having 
this last characteristic. : 
Although these shrubs have few flowers they 
are most valuable on account of the striking 
beauty of their foliage, especially when planted 
together. Do not get the impression that 
shiny-leaved shrubs can only be planted with 
others having this same characteristic. Snow- 
berries or Indian Currants, whose leaves are 
of a much duller hue, look very well in front 
of Rhamnus frangula. In plantings at the 
corners of steps and in similar places where it 
is necessary that the shrubs should be of a 
type that can always be kept within bounds, 
Thunberg’s Barberry in front of Spiraea Van 
Houttei seems to serve the purpose to best ad- 
vantage. Spiraea Thunbergii can be substi- 
tuted for the Barberry and the effect still be 
retained. Aralia pentaphylla and Matrimony 
Vine, Hydrangeas and Aesculus parviflora, 
Viburnum dentatum and Rhus aromatica, Gray 
Dogwood and Rosa blanda are all good com- 
binations which depend chiefly upon harmony 
in their foliage for their good effects. 
Color harmony in blossoms may be seen to 
good advantage when Rosa setigera (Prairie 
Rose) is planted in front of Common Elder- 
berries. These two shrubs bloom at the same 
time and the pink flower of the Rosa setigera 
and the white blossoms of the Elderberry pre- 
sent a most delicate and beautiful effect. 
Few if any of the spring flowering shrubs 
can surpass in splendor the Forsythias. One 
of our earliest shrubs to bloom in the spring, 
the bright yellow flowers coming out at a time 
when nearly all other shrubs are still dormant, 
make this wonderful bush a great favorite. 
The brightness of the yellow blossoms illum- 
inates the densely laden branches with a rare 
beauty. If Mertensia virginica (the common 
Bluebell) be planted directly underneath, the 
effect is charming. This is particularly notice- 
able in the case of Forsythia suspensa, the 
heap Ine variety. Here the blue and pink blos- 
soms of the Mertensia can be faintly seen 
through the drooping branches of the yellow 
Forsythia. A more subtile and beautiful effect 
would be difficult to imagine. 
If one prefers the mixture of pink and white 
blossoms at this time a mass of Redbuds and 
Juneberries will amply satisfy him and fulfill 
his fondest expectations. Every one is familiar 
with the Lilac. Perhaps its only drawback is 
its tendency to become tae and untidy around 
its base. [largely because we do not give it 
room to spread as nature meant.—Ep.] If 
German Iris are planted beneath the Lilacs the. 
bare appearance is not only removed, but the 
flowers of the Iris and the bloom of the Lilac 
make a lovely picture. 
The combinations which have been discussed. 
have all been products of the spring and sum- 
mer. Good effects in the fall must necessarily 
depend upon the fruits or upon the fall colors. 
The fall colors of shrubs and trees rarely con- 
flict. Shrubs which have decorative autumn 
fruits are highly desirable as they remain even 
after the foliage is gone. Snowberries and 
High-bush Cranberries have berries which form 
a delightful contrast when planted together. 
Rosa rugosa, whose luxuriant dark green 
