Garden Dimensions And Design - Garden Entrance

The principal entrance to the garden (Fig. 113) should be from the house and on an axis with some important door or window. It is from this point that we receive our first impression, and it should be so featured that the whole scene unfolded creates in the beholder that delight, fascination, allurement and complete sense of rest which afford to lovers of nature the highest type of enjoyment. The garden should radiate an atmosphere of hospitality, creating an irresistible desire to stroll within and enjoy all the wealth of form and fragrance of foliage and flower.

Fig. 113. - Flower garden on the axis of the living room. All on one plane below the house level. - See page 124.

The garden will always be more restful if placed on a level below the house grades (Figs. 114 and 114A), requiring steps for the descent.

Definiteness may be given to the garden entrance by an arch formed of plants in the enclosing hedge, or of metal or wood, framing some enticing water feature beyond.

Should it be necessary to place the garden on a higher level the approach should be broad and easy. Step risers should never be more than six inches and the tread should be at least fourteen inches.

The dimensions and shape of the garden are matters which will be influenced more or less by the residence and the configuration of the ground. The area of the garden, however, should always exceed that covered by the house. Where the property is rather narrow the greater dimension of the garden should extend in the direction of the greater dimension of the property.

When planning the garden the amount of care necessary for the proper upkeep should be borne in mind and the space designed accordingly, as it is necessary that the garden should at all times be in as nearly perfect condition as possible.

A flower garden adjoining a house should have some space between it and the house proper as the foreground to the floral scene beyond.

The rectangular design of beds in gardens possesses the greatest character and displays the plantations within the beds to the best advantage. This is specially so with the oblong enclosures. In square or nearly square gardens (Fig. 115), curved lines give a greater variety, especially within a small compass.

To add to the interest the design should always include a central feature, either a pool, bird bath, or even a sundial, although the latter is more appropriately placed in a more isolated position.

The central feature may be oblong, circular, elliptical, or a combination of the square and the circle.

In some instances it is advantageous, where the distance is not too great, to extend the garden from the house to the party line (Fig. 116 - See page 136), arranging it so that it will come between the pleasure grounds and the service portion.

Fig. 114. - Garden on level below the house terrace. - See page 126. Fig. 114A - (Pages 128, 129) shows planting plan of this garden..

Key To Planting Plan. - Fig. I14A - See pages 130 and 131.