April, 1919 
41 
A YEAR-OLD GARDEN in the TWO-YEAR CLASS 
An Object Lesson for Those Who 
Claim That Quick Results and 
Permanency Never 
Go Together 
Many perennials are in evidence in 
the beds. Holly hocks, iris and climb¬ 
ing roses are among them, the taller 
growers being at the back 
One year before the picture was taken 
this garden on the grounds of M. 
Allen Warren, Esq., at Huntington, 
Long Island, was no garden at all 
Simplicity and directness characterize the 
garden throughout, in the neat, brick-bor¬ 
dered paths, the planting scheme, the bird 
fotmtam and white bench 
O FTEN the thought comes, as we look for 
the first time upon some particularly 
pleasant flower garden, “I wonder how long it 
has taken to attain this effect?” 
Obviously the answer must vary, although 
in the majority of cases it wall range between 
two and six or more years. Anything less than 
that is—well, unusual. Hence the photographs 
shown on this page. 
In June, 1917, the first seed was sown and 
the first plant set in this little garden on the 
North Shore of Long Island. One year later 
(July, 1918, to be exact) the photographs were 
taken. In the results they illustrate lies an 
object lesson for those who assert that only 
after considerable time can a planting become 
perfect. 
The Plants and Plan 
Within the dwarf box edgings which outline 
the beds of this 75' x 100' garden are plantings 
which are by no means temporary, despite the 
quick results they have given. There 
are many perennials—hollyhocks, wild 
asters, iris. Sweet William, foxgloves, 
lupines, peonies, phlox, pyrethrum and 
others— which are already well estab¬ 
lished. From early spring to late 
autumn something is always in bloom, 
a constantly changing succession of 
forms and colors. Here and there, too, 
are small junipers and arborvitaes 
which serve the double purpose of ac¬ 
cent points and backgrounds during 
the flower season, and touches of liv¬ 
ing green which keep the garden al¬ 
ways present through the dormant 
winter months when all else is dull. 
As to the ground plan, its outstand¬ 
ing characteristics are simplicity and 
directness—straight paths at right 
angles to each other, brick bordered 
and scrupulously well kept. The rose 
arch, gate, bench and bird bath are in 
keeping with the sane informality evi¬ 
denced throughout the planting. Two 
cardinal principles have been followed 
in the arrangement of the plants them¬ 
selves : the tall growers must be placed 
at the back of the beds, and no clash¬ 
ing of colors shall be permitted. The 
grade of the flower banks rises nat¬ 
urally from the edges of the walks. 
Suggestions for Others 
The creation of a one-year garden such as 
this hinges upon wise selection and doing the 
right thing at the right time. The box bushes 
and evergreens will, of course, give the de¬ 
sired results as soon as they are planted, for 
they can be bought already well developed 
from the nurserymen who specialize in such 
stock. If shrubbery is needed for the bound¬ 
aries it can come from the same source. 
Whatever annual flowers are used are grown 
from seed planted in the spring of the year in 
which they bloom, and rose bushes set out in 
early April will yield some blossoms the first 
summer. Certain perennials, such as dahlias 
and iris, will also bloom the same Season their 
roots are planted, but most of the year-after¬ 
year flowers must be grown from seed planted 
in seed-beds during June or July and trans¬ 
planted later to their permanent places in the 
garden where they will blossom the following 
season. 
