146 
The Garden Magazine, November, 1923 
one, but the following constitute a choice collection from several 
standpoints—Plumbago capensis in either blue or white, Abelia 
grandillora, Chinese Azaleas, Duranta repens, Chinese Hibiscus 
to a limited extent, Ixora especially, jasminums in variety, 
Lawsonia, Russellia, Strobilanthes isophyllus, Thunbergia erecta 
and alba, Callistemon, Raphiolepis, Rhodomyrtus. 
The question of further materials depends much on the working 
out of the individual plan, but for certain specific purposes the 
following are valuable. Low, sheared border plants in formal 
lines for edging: Surinam Cherry, Triphasia, Severinia, Catha 
edulis. For] corner “touch plants” to give variety of color and 
form and to add something of the weird atmosphere of the 
tropics so much to be desired: the more dwarf Palms, or those of 
more delicate line, as Dwarf Cocos, Chamaedorea multicaulis, 
Chrysalidocarpus, Hydriastele Wendlandiana; the daintier 
varieties of the bushy Phoenix (until they outgrow their useful¬ 
ness) as P. reclinata, P. rupicola, etc., Ptychospermas, especially 
P. Macarthurii; and for the fan-leaved type, which-should be 
used somewhat sparingly except in plants of smaller size, nothing 
is more attractive and adaptable to the conditions than the 
several 1 hrinax. 
In addition to Palms for “ touch plants” there are many, many 
others to be used to advantage in securing diversity of line and 
character as well as tropical effect, such as Pandanus, Aralia, 
Panax, Crotons, Ravenala, Cardamon, Pedilanthus, Coffee, 
Yucca, and even the coarse Banana and Heliconia. Certainly 
all serve a purpose, but each should be used sparingly and with 
careful regard to foliage contrast, for it is not by blatant display 
but by suggestion that imagination is stimulated. Then, too, 
the more dwarf Bamboos and ornamental Grasses are very 
valuable, if grouped together and not subjected to violent foliage 
contrasts, except with plants of similar “fountain-like” habit of 
growth such as the Agaves and pinnate-leaved Palms. 
Water is truly indispensable for the completely enclosed patio. 
It may be introduced either as fountain or quiet pool. The 
former lends a peculiar charm of Hashing spray and dancing 
ripple, but the latter has a perhaps greater fascination in its 
feeling of soothing repose and the studied duplication of lines 
in its mirroring depths. 
There is a danger of leaning too heavily on compass, 
T-square, and triangle in designing the patio garden, and for the 
development of a “Spanish” feeling in the South this should t?e 
studiously avoided. There is a luxury of abandon in the un¬ 
studied irregularities of most of the Spanish-Moorish gardens. 
Pools and fountains are not necessarily to be centred, and if placed 
at the ends of oblong patios, or at one corner of a square, there 
is opportunity for more varied and interesting patio pictures. 
Possibilities of the Open Patio 
T HE necessity for many homes of smaller proportions, the 
absence of necessity for defensive precautions, and the desire 
for greater spaciousness in the “out-of-doors living room” is 
bringing into more popular favor the patio open on one side—or 
end—with more extensive treatment beyond the actual confines 
of the building proper. This suggests the development of a 
garden style which has almost unlimited possibilities, at present 
little appreciated by either architects or home builders. In the 
North this close harmony of purpose between both indoor and 
outdoor architecture is better understood and commensurately 
good results secured. 
In towns, this larger development of the patio will lead to the 
rebirth of enclosing garden walls such as are so common in 
Europe. These walls will be varied—often of stone or brick, with 
interesting wall-trained fruits where possible, mossy masonry 
where big trees overhang vine-clad buttresses, and interesting 
ramped lines from massive entrances, or of more delicate vine- 
entwined lattice work, screened and broken here and there by 
shrubbery masses, trees, and groups of Palms; or, perhaps, just 
compact hedges of dark green foliage. 
In the country the possibilities are even far greater for the 
introduction of Hanking pergolas, interesting retaining walls, and 
steps, and an altogether bigger and more varied atmosphere. 
This open patio development permits the introduction of larger 
water surfaces, and the need of studied refinement in foliage 
effects is not so dominant. The bigger pool, with its bigger 
mirroring surface permits more generous planting of the classic 
Aroids, ornamental Grasses, masses of Iris-like plants, over¬ 
hanging trees, and the stately shafts of the larger growing Palms 
surmounted by their princely crowns of tossing plumes—a de¬ 
lightful rest house also can fittingly be embodied in the plan, to 
conform to the architecture of the main dwelling. 
Fruit trees in variety, especially those of the Citrus groups— 
Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, etc.—work in to splendid 
advantage. The Chinese Peaches—a tree or two— are always 
WHERE THE INFORMAL PATIO MERGES INTO THE GARDEN 
One of the numberless variations of the patio found in the South 
