The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Landscape Gardening

A plan should be carefully made and followed. This plan should be upon very simple lines,—the simpler as the grounds are smaller.

It is here, more than elsewhere, imperative that the center of the lawn in front of the house be kept open. If the grounds are small, the space will seem to be increased by placing the house at one side and comparatively far from the street. And then, if it may be done without sacrificing the appearance of directness, the front walk may also be carried to one side, leaving the main lawn intact and very much augmented in its apparent extent. The plantings are then made in irregular borders along the sides of the lot and at the back, with more or fewer herbs and shrubs and climbers against the porches and the foundations of the house itself, according to its architectural character. Mistakes specially to be avoided in such a scheme of treatment are formal flower beds in the lawn, detached shrubs, horticultural monstrosities of all sorts, conspicuous edgings along walks, noticeably imperfect specimens of any kind, etc.

So far we have considered the treatment of the city residence lot in accordance with the natural style of gardening. Circumstances are often such as to make a geometrical treatment even more desirable. In fact, the tendency in this country is so strong toward the natural method of planting that many excellent opportunities for fine effects in the opposite method are ignored. The prospective planter of small grounds, who has not yet formed decided preferences for the natural style, is strongly recommended to bring himself to the clearest possible appreciation of the beauties and capabilities of the geometrical style before he commits himself to any particular plan.

In treating the small city lot according to the formal style, the ground is first laid out in purely geometrical lines. There are straight walks, and rectangular or circular areas for grass or plants; and if terraces arc necessary, they are laid out so that their lines form a part of the general framework. Then the hedges which are to be clipped, the formal flower beds, and the other accessories of this style of gardening are filled in upon the plan, according to the principles laid down in Chapter VIII.

Special caution must be given the suburban resident and amateur gardener against planting too much of too many things. Everyone knows how easy it is to over-furnish a room, but few realize how much easier it is to over-furnish a lawn. The flower-loving suburban gardener wants everything in the nurseryman's catalog; and such an appetite is a blessing only when properly restrained.