32 
The Garden Magazine, March, 1921 
is very rapid. Sometimes, almost summer temperatures are 
experienced in early spring, while frost is still in the ground. 
Is it surprising that only the hardiest of plants can adapt them- 
selves to such conditions? 
This great variability is more vividly illustrated in an author- 
itative report of Wisconsin climatic changes which informs us 
Eastern states are not generally found with us, excepting as 
associated with the larger residences of the towns and cities. 
Landscape art is still in its infancy here. The desire for 
landscape improvements, for attractive home grounds, park 
and general civic beautification is now being felt as something 
quite worth while, and within a few years, the well arranged 
BEFORE 
Nature had a chance 
to lend a hand and 
while man was still 
struggling with the 
problems of. ‘con- 
struction. The ab- 
rupt slope necessi- 
tated terracing with 
retaining walls of 
stone to bring the 
pedestrian comfort- 
ably up and down 
AFTER 
The second summer 
of planting, green 
draperies completely 
transform the once 
barren hillside. Ma- 
trimony vine and 
Virginia Creeper 
seem literally cascad- 
ing over the retain- 
ing walls completely 
obliterating their 
former harshness of 
aspect 
that the southern part of that state has a summer temperature 
similar to central France, southern Germany, and the Danube 
Valley; while northern Wisconsin summers are similar to those 
of London or Berlin and the winter temperature of the state 
like that of Sweden and central Russia. Small wonder then, 
that many plant forms so common to the more moderate 
and less variable climate of the Central and Atlantic states will 
not prove satisfactory in the North Central region. 
Plants that do well here must mature early, to be prepared 
for the early freezing temperatures and the severe winter. 
Winters are long, cold, and bright, with often but little snow for 
root protection. Plants with very early spring bloom, such as 
Forsythia, Cydonia, and Spiraea Thunbergii, seldom have 
flower buds left uninjured. On one occasion, the writer 
remembers a two inch snowfall in St. Paul, on May 20th. 
Killing frosts by late September are quite common. 
Highly developed ornamental horticulture and elaborate 
landscape gardening such as one takes for granted in the older 
and attractively improved yard and park land will be the 
rule rather than the exception even in our smallest towns. 
I N MATTERS of landscape design and its application to 
our problems and conditions, we of the North Central states 
claim no special originality and certainly no peculiarity. Most 
of our landscape work is similar to that done elsewhere, and 
follows the general principles of good taste and approved design. 
Conditions of living are not so different, but house construction 
in a generally colder climate will not feature open courts nor 
porches to any extent. Like omission of many features common 
to the grounds of a warmer climate, such as extensive pergolas, 
garden shelters, rose arbors, swimming pools, etc., will be 
noticed. Emphasis of such construction would be quite un- 
suited to our needs and uses. Our aim is to get practical effects 
in the simplest and most direct manner. Because of the limita- 
tion of the climate and a shortened period for summer use of the 
ground, this simplification in design and treatment is most 
