File:The American florist - a weekly journal for the trade (1901) (18135066422).jpg

Title: The American florist : a weekly journal for the trade
Identifier: americanfloristw22amer (find matches)
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: American Florists Company
Subjects: Floriculture; Florists
Publisher: Chicago : American Florist Company
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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igor. The American Florist. 1479
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SHRUBBERY PLANTATION ABOUT THE OFFICE BUILDING AT QRAOELAND CEMETERY, CHICAGO. The entrance gates are also to be con- sidered. These should be simple in out- line and broad in effect; the piers set at right angles to the drive, and where dis- crepancies of distance from highway to piers occur, the same should be made up in the wing-walls. The designing of the grounds as regards planting requires considerable thought. Sometimes an entire new scene must be created, while at others it is only neces- sary to embellish that which already exists. Vistas are to be made by plant- ing, or to be opened by the judicious use of the axe. In either case a thorough knowledge ot what nature has used in the building of her landscape is essential. The hills are to be explored to ascer- tain the various trees and shrubs that exist; also the lowlands and the water's edge. On high elevations wiU be found the oaks, poplars, maples, ash, chestnuts, pines, junipers and others; this will sug- gest what to use under similar condi- tions. Likewise the sweet gum, red maple, magnolias, alders, with others will indicate what to use on low grounds. Close to water we find the willows of various tints of gold and red bark, and the variety Babylonica, of airy, graceful foliage, dipping its branches into the very stream. This is nature's guide, and if followed will give us harmony at least. Ingenious man, however, is not satis- fied with the indigenous, so the cata- logues must be increased by numerous importations. Here is an easy channel to err. Like the boy with his first box of crayons, we are tempted to use too many varieties, scattering them through- out the plantations with no more serious thought tor the combinations of colors. The plants should be arranged in har- monious masses, and each located with regard for its particular beauty at differ- ent seasons. Nature has given material in the form, leaf, flower or fruit with which to decorate the landscape at all seasons, and as the flower of one variety is fading another is appearing, thus it continues until fall, when the foliage assumes its gayest attire; after the leaves have fallen the fruit and twig still brighten the aspect. In arranging the masses for color, those at a distance should be larger than those closer to the eye. Clumps of the same colored flowers should not be repeated too frequently, or it will give the appear- ance of spottiness. On observation we frequently see the lack of judgment in distributing single specimens over the lawn. Recently was counted at least forty plants of spiraea and forsythia in as many different posi- tions on a small place, and all visible from one point. This, as you may imag- ine, was not very pleasing. Whether the work be great or small, we must apply the same fundamental principles, judgment and taste. And it would seem that the more familiar the florist becomes with those impulses which inspire to better methods of design in landscape gardening, the more artistic will be those embellishments which are within his province. Whatever we do, let it be done with a purpose; if a tree is to be planted for shade, place it where it best serves that end. If the space will not permit of planting one of spreading habit, use one of pyramidal growth. The planting of many large growing trees on small grounds is not wise, nor should they be placed closer than twenty to twenty-five feet from the house. Never plant a specimen because it is attractive, unless a suitable place can be found for it. Consider ultimate size and the gen- eral appearance of the whole. It is better to map out a scheme with system, regard- less of the rendering of the drawing. A layout may be depicted crudely on paper, and yet be highly satisfactory when realized on the ground. Specimen plants should be isolated, as they are not generally necessary to the picture as a whole. In planting to screen offensive objects use the hemlock or spruce; as a summer screen privet is better, or vines, the dolichos being par- ticularly useful in making a quick screen over a lattice. We have learned a lesson from the wanton mutilation of street trees by the telegraph and telephone companies, which would suggest, where practicable, to set them back to the building line. Then the leader will be spared at least, and if cutting is found necessary it may be done symmetrically. When the grounds are small and the straight lines predominate, the flower beds should be located in geometric fashion; what is done on one side must be duplicated on the other. The beds should be placed close to the house or the border planting, for they appear^est with a background. Brilliant colors

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