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Planning Your Garden

The most common method is to cut the rose beds in grass, and there is much to be said in favor of grass as a setting for our roses. In evolving a design it is well to observe certain points now to be mentioned. The beds should not be elaborate in outline nor too small. The groups should show a geometrical relation between their component beds in the way I have advised for groups of flower beds generally.

The illustration (Fig. 46) shows typical rose gardens as I might plan them on a grass space, and it should be noted that the outlying borders give a sense of enclosure and sanctity to the whole arrangement, which may be enhanced by planting their outer lines with standards or pillars.

The introduction of arches at suitable points is an excellent device for obtaining height.

The necessary shelter in exposed situations may be contrived by the use of rose or sweet-brier hedges, or of roses trained upon a skeleton fence.

It is not unusual to carry a path through the rose garden, or to set it where two paths intersect at right angles. The point of intersection is sometimes marked by a sundial or vase. When a path or paths lead into the rose garden, the beds may be separated by gravel, thereby excluding grass altogether.

Such gardens are shown in the accompanying illustration (Fig. 47). I have no quarrel with that arrangement, and it may be made dainty and trim by the use of neatly clipped box edgings. One loses, however, the delightful background an emerald turf supplies.

There is no reason why the rose garden should take a shape having equal dimensions both ways. It may be long and narrow, and I am not sure that that is not the best form, especially when space is restricted. It can be better brought into harmony with the adjacent parts of the garden. As a walk, too, it is less tedious to traverse.