Garden Background

It is important to consider the garden from the picturesque point of view. This will include not only the arrangement of the interior beds but, quite as important, the setting of the surrounding plantations. The background (Fig. 117) should be dense, of a varied assortment of plants. Where space permits, and the height of the plants will not interfere with the view, make a background of White Pine, Hemlock, Birch, Beech, Maple and Ash. Such a combination will give pleasing contrast at all seasons of the year, especially in the Fall, when the foliage of the deciduous trees turns to brilliant shades of red and yellow. On extensive grounds such a background planting may be placed some distance from the garden and particularly so when there is a little rise in the ground beyond the end of the garden.

When the garden area extends to the party line it is necessary to provide a high hedge or wall which will rise above the horizon. If a wall is used it should be partly clothed with vines as green is the most satisfactory garden background (Fig. 118). It is possible sometimes to so locate the garden that a natural background on the adjoining property may be taken advantage of.

A pleasing effect may often be secured in gardens enclosed by a wall, by introducing flowering trees and shrubs in the plantations immediately without, so that the branches may be trained to hang over the wall to meet the floral ensemble within.

Garden Enclosures

The garden in the sense that it is used in these paragraphs refers to a portion of the estate set aside as an enclosed feature. An enclosure provides privacy and seclusion to those who would walk or work among the flowers; it is a protection to the growing plants, "In'square or nearly square gardens curved lines give a greater variety, especially within a small compass

Planting Plan. - Fig. 115 - See page 135.

Key To Planting Plan.-Fig. 115.

Fig. 115. - In a square or a nearly square garden curved lines give greater variety, especially within a small compass. - See planting plan, page 134, also page 126.

Fig. 116. - Plan showing an arrangement of the flower and Rose gardens on two levels, and placed on the axis of a door in the living room of the house. The garden terminates at the party line and divides the lawn from the vegetable garden. - See page 126.

Fig. 117. - A very pretty garden below the house line, simple in outline and so located as to have the advantage of a wooded background. The bay trees and pyramidal conifers lift it up and give variety to an otherwise uninteresting skyline. The view to the figure is enhanced through the introduction of these larger plants. It is preferable to have them planted in the ground rather than in tubs. - See page 133.

affords a background and, in concealing the garden from without, leaves something to the imagination and more to be appreciated from a vantage point in the house.

Garden enclosures may be of stone, brick, stucco or plants in the form of a hedge.