24 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Foundation 
Planting 
Flowering 
Shrubs 
growing garden may be a picture from these windows during the 
greater part of the year. Some have suffered from a north exposure 
with the south garden a part of the kitchen outlook; or a drive¬ 
way that fills a south and east side, when a north would have been 
more direct and released the better growing space to the south and 
east. Another hint: build the type house that will suit the lot or 
choose the ground for your favorite type of house, and then keep 
the plantings consistent. 
Consider first the more massed arrangement about the house. 
The broad and narrow-leafed evergreens and conifers are essential 
for the foundation planting, but beware of overdoing this branch 
of the scheme; using Mahonia, Nandina, Eleagnus fruitlandii, Co- 
toneaster, Pryacanthus, Photinia, Eleagnus, Pittisporums, Berberis, 
Myrtus communis, Viburnums, Rosemary, etc., with the Junipers, 
Yews, Cypress, Cedars and Arbor Vitaes for variation; at the same 
time preserving a special beauty for winter. Allow space between 
for expansion and keep all shrubs trimmed within bounds, even 
the conifers. The difference in color, texture, form and manner of 
growth all add variety to a seemingly sameness of plant. Imagine 
these soft greens as a foil for some of the blooming shrubs—Kerria, 
Kolkwitzia, Almond, etc. 
A portion of the garden should always be devoted to flowering 
shrubs of various kinds, leaving some space to be planted each year 
with new varieties (these spaces, in the interim, to be used for 
annuals, that no gaps be apparent). Robinias are more rare in this 
part of the country but apparently thrive when tried. Exochorda 
has splendid leaf and pure white bloom in early spring; Acacias* 
in variety; Anisacanthus* (native in South and Central Texas) 
with their lovely green leaves and small orange trumpets all sum¬ 
mer; Buddleia; Deutzia; Weigela (several varieties); Forsythia viri- 
dissima, all are especially recommended; and also Altheas; Kerria 
with its double and single yellow flowers and crinkled leaves; Bush 
Loniceras* (Honeysuckle); Philadelphus in variety; Coronarius, 
being fragrant, having four-petaled white flowers in April; Rhus* 
* Native. 
