
GASHMAN \NURSERIES, INC., 

OWATONNA, MINNESOTA 

blooming season. An equally important consider- 
ation is height. Naturally plants should be so 
placed that they graduate from the tall at the 
back of the border to the low at the front, and 
arranged in groups of from three upward, de- 
pending upon the size of the garden. Flowers 
should have a background of some kind so that 
they will show to the best advantage; this may 
be shrubs, a hedge, a wall or perhaps a fence. 
Water always adds interest, particularly if it is 
in motion, and in the form of a pool or fountain 
may be made the dominating center of interest 
which every garden needs. 
Rock gardens are a very difficult type of de- 
velopment unless a location is available which 
is naturally and particularly suitable to this type 
of planting. An uneven or hilly piece of ground 
is most desirable and should be large enough so 
as not to appear cramped or unnatural. The 
study of nature will benefit greatly in the develop- 
ment of this garden. Notice that but one kind of 
rock is usually found in one area, of one color 
and all either stratified ledges or boulders, the 
latter being approximately two-thirds buried in 
the soil. Streams add interest and may form the 
inlet to a pool. A recent development is the for- 
mal rock garden, in which stratified rocks are used 
as paving and walls, with plants placed between 
the stones, and in which pools are formal and 
geometric in shape. Various levels in the form 
of terraces, wide or narrow, add interest to these 
gardens. 
All types of gardens should be enclosed and all 
are increased in beauty if they have large shrubs 
and trees surrounding them to break the sky line. 
Care should be taken to place the trees so that 
they will not shade the entire garden, yet one or 
two shady spots will not be of disadvantage for 
they admit of the use of many desirable shade- 
loving plants. Shrubs and trees should also be 
used to screen out undesirable objects or to frame 
an interesting view beyond the garden which may 
be made a feature worth emphasizing. 
In shrub gardens or informal plantings, group 
varieties in large enough masses to product uni- 
fied effect. One plant each of many varieties pro- 
duces an unpleasant spotty result. Specimens are 
to be used rarely and then mainly in formal plant- 
ings. Do not plant shrubs in straight lines but 
rather in easy cruves, with individual plants in a 
staggered arrangement, creating deep bays for 
an effect of distance and enticement. Occasional 
spots of color may be used, but be sparing with 
colored foliage for it can very easily become over- 
done and distracting. Choose shrubs not only 
for flowering qualities, but also for foliage and 
fruit bearing qualities. Bright berries against 
the dark foliage of evergreens makes the winter 
scene more cheerful. In all types of planting, 
soil and temperature conditions are important 
factors to be considered. 
Trees should be chosen for their suitability to 
the location. Large trees dwarf a small garden, 
while ornamental trees, such as birch or mountain 
ash, are unsuitable for street planting. An oc- 
casional accent plant, such as the Lombardy or 
Bolleana Poplar, relieves the monotony of a regu- 
lar sky line. 
When all factors from soil conditions to per- 
sonal tastes have been considered thoroughly and 
complete plans have been worked out to result in 
a harmonious whole, then, and only then, start 
planting. : 
Notice:—Owing to the exigencies of war we have been forced to discontinue our Landscape Depart- 
ment for the duration. 
te prospective planters. 
However, we will be glad at any time to render whatever assistance we can 
Also our salesmen are men of long experience with planting problems 
and will be happy to have you consult with them whenever they are in your territory. 

A Formal English Garden. 
Page Seven 
