ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



27 



Trees of a pyramidal shape look well by the contrast they 

 present when grouped with trees with round crowns, such as when 

 towering above a group of Elms. In forming groups, it can be 

 accepted as a rule that whatever the number and the form of 

 the trees, they must, as a whole, in order to produce a satis- 

 factory effect, present that balance in all their parts which should 

 also characterise the isolated specimen. A group, it will be 

 understood, forms a whole, and must be treated as a single 

 object. When Nature is left to provide for herself, the balance 

 of the different parts will seldom be missed. In order to 

 produce a better effect, planted groups of trees must remain in 

 harmony with existing woods, of which they must appear to be 

 only detached parts, and their number must be regulated as 

 may be required. 



In shrubs and bushes we have an unlimited variety. In our 

 latitude groups composed of plants of one species are not 

 met with. If any species is the prevailing feature of a position, 

 it is, nevertheless, always found associated with some other 

 kinds of plants, giving variety to the picture. The natural 

 conclusion is that in planting large groups they must never be 

 formed of only one species. An exception may be made in 

 planting small gardens where natural disposition is out of 

 consideration. The number of shrubs that are found growing 

 on the banks of rivers is rather small, but, nevertheless, 

 charming effects are obtained by forming groups of some of 

 the followmg Willows : Salix Caprea, S. purpurea^ S. rubra, and 

 S. vitellina. Amongst rocks a great variety of vegetation is always 

 met with, growing in most picturesque fashion. Dog Roses, 

 Brambles, Barberries, Elders, and many more form very attractive 

 contrasts. The plants, though many of them are not very 

 decorative by themselves, present in such associations very 

 picturesque effects. 



After having considered some of the most striking aspects 

 of the plants in their natural state, we now come to their 

 practical application for the decoration of parks and gardens. 

 In the creation of the latter the landscape - gardener has to 

 deal with old and new plantations. In the first instance, the 

 existing plantations have to be preserved or modified in their 

 outlines when necessary ; while, in the second, the surface of 

 the ground may be devoid of vegetation, and the plantations may 

 therefore have to be created. In most cases, both conditions have 

 to be complied with at the same time. It has been stated before 



