September, 1916 
43 
Ugly features in the foreground completely destroy this picture of 
river and distant hills. There is only one remedy—screen them 
off with shrubs and trees 
Here the problem is solved. It was completed in one season; not 
so unusual a feat in these days of moving large trees and creating 
wooded estates over night 
SHRUBBERY AND THE GARDEN PICTURE 
Screening the Objectionable and Framing the Pleasing Views 
How to Buy Trees and Shrubs — Necessary Planting Data 
LEONIDAS WILLING RAMSEY 
'T'HE perfect laying- 
X out of the grounds 
with shrubs and trees 
is a matter of rather 
specialized knowledge. 
One must be familiar 
with the habits and re¬ 
quirements of the 
plants, know the gen¬ 
eral principles of ar¬ 
rangement, and be able 
to make the whole 
scheme harmonious. 
These things are a part 
of the service which the 
landscape architect 
renders, but which the 
amateur need not fear 
to attempt on his own 
account, especially if 
the space to be treated 
is not too extensive. 
One of the common¬ 
est faults of the begin¬ 
ner at this work is the 
tendency to select 
shrubs which have some peculiar or flashy 
characteristic, while overlooking the best 
common ones. This should not be done, 
for in landscape gardening the cheaper 
shrubs, provided they are of good stock, 
are the most desirable and satisfactory. 
The high-priced imported varieties must be 
pampered, and they are seldom suited to 
our climatic conditions. A'ariegated shrubs, 
weeping trees and other freaks seem to have 
an appeal to the public taste, when less os¬ 
tensible plants would be more suitable and 
easily cared for. Of course, there is a place 
for such sorts, but they should not com¬ 
prise the greater part of the garden, their 
best use being as accents and for variety. 
One salient fact should he borne in mind 
when plants are selected for the place, and 
that is, that the general effect is the thing to 
be sought after; the individuality of the 
plants should be lost in the harmony of the 
whole scheme. Many flower lovers seem to 
be near-sighted, seeing only the specimen 
plants and losing perspective of the place in 
general. This is also true of those who de¬ 
velop flower beds with no respect to their 
surroundings, laying claim to beauty be¬ 
cause color is predominant and because 
there may be intricacy of detail in the plant¬ 
ing. The sketches and paintings which 
give us the greatest satisfaction are those 
which have harmony in color and design— 
the drawings of intricate detail only have 
long been discarded by the critic. 
Suggestions for Buying 
When purchasing plants do not buy from 
a traveling nurseryman unless he is a bona 
fide representative of a well-known concern ; 
and no matter where the stock is bought, 
do not try to bring the nurseryman down in 
his price, for there is a great variation in 
nursery stock and you will probably get just 
what you pay for. Although the heights 
and ages of the plants may be given, it is 
very easy to supply high shrubs with no 
body, and in the case of trees the diameter 
may be specified and a poor specimen sub¬ 
stituted by the nurseryman. After all, he 
must sell his second-grade stock, and that 
will be just what you are paying for should 
you try to bring him down in his prices. Of 
course, I am now speaking of the average 
small nursery — not the well-established 
house with a reputation to live up to. 
When sending in your order, ask that it 
be looked over and substitutions made for 
any plants that might be unfavorably af¬ 
fected in your territory or not indigenous to 
it. The general nature of the plants which 
you order will be understood, and you will 
probably get the kinds you should have. 
Most nurseries will not guarantee their 
stock unless a percentage of the total cost 
is added. One well-known firm charges an 
additional sixty per cent for planting and 
guaranteeing the stock, while some others 
figure in the guarantee and planting on the 
original cost. At any 
rate, the nurseries are 
carrying the insurance 
on your shrubs at a 
profit, and if you have 
your choice you might 
as well be the gainer. 
You can depend upon 
the success of from 
ninety to a hundred per 
cent of the stock if 
planted under the best 
conditions, and if the 
season is good. Often 
none of the stock dies, 
while in other cases the 
loss in very heavy; 
this can generally be 
traced to the planting 
and care. From a psy¬ 
chological standpoint it 
is poor policy to guar¬ 
antee plantings, for the 
purchaser has a ten¬ 
dency to neglect the 
stock. It will be better 
for him and for it if he has no promise to 
fall back on and so shirk his responsibility. 
Before the final selection, two drawings 
should be made: one, a general ground plan 
with all areas located; the other showing 
the shrubs and trees in elevation iust above 
the ground plan. In this manner the heights 
and character of the things may he more 
easily studied and the sorts which are de¬ 
sired easily decided upon. Unsightly views 
should be sketched in on the elevation so 
that trees may be properly placed. A 
knowledge of the characteristics of the dif¬ 
ferent shrubs is essential to making a good 
planting plan, and the best books and nurs¬ 
ery catalogues should he carefully studied 
and each shrub placed for its significance 
outside of height, breadth and facing quali¬ 
ties. When the planting plan is completed, 
it should be duplicated so that there will be 
a copy on hand at all times. 
Properly Planted 
When properly 
planted the roots 
are spread out 
Poorly Planted 
Poor planting does 
not give the roots 
feeding room 
