210 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Place Where 
Least 
Evaporation 
Shady 
Pools are 
Mirrors 
Semi-shade 
Planting 
Keep to 
Scale in 
General 
Scheme 
Eor 
Informality 
bog. This is especially adapted to some grounds, though in growing 
aquatic plants, it is usually best to avoid running water. 
Generally speaking, however, our water is too precious to admit 
of this extravagant use. To have a single, simple pool is the goal of 
our desires, for a basin of water lends more to the garden than any 
one other thing. Yet with our copper hot summer skies, one is 
wise to place it where it will suffer least from evaporation. 
In a shaded or semi-shaded spot Waterlilies, however, usually 
will not flourish, though Water-Hyacinths may, or Cat-tails and 
other non-flowering aquatics. Be content, generally, to have a very 
shady pool merely be a mirror, with darting gold-fish for color; 
and, if you are not going to grow aquatic plants in it, put only a 
layer of gravel on the bed of it. This will make it seem more 
like Nature’s handiwork than man’s. 
There are many blooming plants that do well in shade, or semi¬ 
shade ( see page 206), which, if placed to overhang, or at a point 
where their image may be reflected, at once become an integral part 
of an exquisite composition. Pools that mirror green things, only, 
are restful, yet those that reflect other colors, too, in pastel or in 
vivid shades, have an irresistible charm. 
In designing that feast for one’s senses, the pool, it is of greatest 
inportance to keep it to scale with the property and buildings. Do 
not forget how essential is proportion. It, too, should conform to 
the general plan and follow the broad scheme of planting in rela¬ 
tion to the architecture of the buildings. It too should emphasize 
formality or informality of design by its shape, size, and setting. 
Where informality is desired, always place the pool where it is 
screened and secluded, never in the center of the garden. Its most 
effective combination is at the foot of a slope, a hillside, or 
beneath an overhanging ledge. When one has level ground to deal 
with, artificial slopes and ledges, even a miniature rugged hillside 
(see page 200) may be effected by adding a few stones and a 
little more earth to that surplus dirt taken from the excavation of 
the pool. Irregularity of outline, both in the contour of the pool 
and in the borders of shrubs and flowers, demonstrate that level 
ground and straight lines never make as interesting an informal 
