578 



LAYING OUT FLOWER-GARDENS. 



dressed surfaces, either level or undulated, 

 the trees and shrubs being planted and 

 managed so that each may display its 

 natural beauty of outline, whether placed 

 singly or in groups. 



And to the modern style we may add 

 the irregular flower-garden, fig. 811. This 



Fig. 811. 



garden is shown as surrounded by an 

 irregular plantation, the front of which 

 should be planted with ornamental trees 

 and masses of shrubs. The beds are of 

 irregular forms, cut out on grass, without 

 much regard to connection with each 

 other. Their centres, when large, are 

 elevated ; and when the garden extends 

 over an acre or more space, and the tops 

 of the beds are planted with flowering 

 shrubs, the whole becomes a sort of laby- 

 rinth, through which one may wander for 

 hours, seeing only the parts that are 

 within a few yards of the spectator at one 

 and the same time. It should, however, 

 for convenience in damp weather, be sur- 

 rounded by a gravel walk ; and in it no 

 ornaments should appear that are not of 

 the rustic form. This sort of garden is 

 suitable to a residence in the rural Gothic 

 or cottage style; or it may form a ter- 

 mination to some lengthened walk that 

 has already passed through grounds of a 

 very different character. It never should, 

 however, although we often see it do so, 

 be placed near to or within sight of a 

 mansion or villa partaking of architec- 

 tural character. 



The mingled flower-garden. — As the name 

 indicates, the plants are disposed in the 

 beds in such a manner, that, while there 

 is no brilliant display of bloom at one 



period, there shall be a sprinkling of blos- 

 som during the whole season. Instead of 

 the colours being arranged to harmonise 

 or contrast with each other, they are pro- 

 duced promiscuously, — the only order 

 attended to being, arranging the taller 

 plants in the centres or at the back of the 

 beds, while those of more humble growth 

 occupy the margins. 



§ 2. — SITUATION OF THE FLOWER- 

 GARDEN. 



The flower-garden should always be 

 near to, or adjoining the mansion, that 

 it may be conveniently reached at all 

 times ; and, indeed, that it may be seen 

 from the windows of the principal rooms. 

 It is of little consequence on what side of 

 the house it is placed, so long as the 

 carriage entrance front be kept clear. 

 It may, with great propriety, as it 

 often does, surround three parts of the 

 house, (vide Plate 31 ;) and if even on 

 the north front, the advantage will be 

 gained of having the flowers presented 

 to greater advantage to the eye when 

 they are viewed from the windows of the 

 house, the natural tendency of all plants 

 being to have their flowers turned towards 

 the sun. It will, however, be understood 

 that the flower-beds should be sufficiently 

 distant from the house to be beyond the 

 range of its shadow. 



The flower-garden should be sheltered 

 from the effects of the wind ; yet it should 

 not be shaded by trees. Some authors 

 have recommended that no part of the 

 flower-garden should be exposed, as it 

 offers in itself sufficient to contemplate 

 and admire ; and that its character is 

 best preserved and associated with retire- 

 ment. We, however, think differently, 

 and prefer the garden being placed on 

 one or more sides of the mansion, that it 

 may be seen to advantage from the prin- 

 cipal windows and the walks around the 

 house. We here allude to the flower- 

 garden, considered as the finished grounds 

 around the mansion, let the style be what 

 it may ; but in retiring from the mansion 

 and entering the shrubbery, flower-gar- 

 dens of a smaller size and of less preten- 

 sions should be found. In such, the 

 lovers of solitude and quiet repose will 

 find those enjoyments associated with 



