The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-06-09
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[rRon THE eARDENEn's noNrHLr.l
ShrubberY.


We have of late been oftener addressed ABOUT
laying out and improving gardens IMAM we coulo
find time to reply to properly. AT any rate we
were forced to cut our reply short when the wri-
ters, oueries concerned more the philosophy and
the ali act of the art than their application to
q distinctly described plot of ground.
This brought to our mind the idea of now and
+bon Giving our views of the details of landscape
gardening in these columns.
And we single out shrubbery for this article,
because it would appear to us that this class of
ornamental plants is least known to the public
at large A city man wants to pitch his tent
outside the gates, and these days of horse and
steam-cars fairly threaten to bring the city into
the country-or farmer actually comes to think
he might do little towards appearance and
beauty in the surroundings Of his house, what
else presents themselves to their minds but flow
ers and trees
Quite natural, too, for crude minds who are
only impressed by the colors of the flower or the
grandeur Of the tree, and have no eye either for
effect or for detail Mention the word shrub, "
and they look upon it as something inferior, as
by-play as not at all essential to their purpose.
They want something to look "big."
We will therefore try to show the value of
shrubbery. Let us suppose that we have to
deal with several acres which are to be laid out,
or, if laid out, are to be improved by planting.
Now, fower-beds judiciously planned, placed
and executed are well enough, but by far the
greater part Of the ground is to be park or park
like. You have large trees in abundance we
will say. You cut paths and drives through
them, You open clearings perspectives, and use
good deal of newly awakened ingenuity (read-
er, bear in mind we speak not to the initiated)
STILL with all your efforts, the grounds seem and
are monotonous 1t is forest, at best a grove
Look close and you will find that either the
trees are not diversified enough in kind, or the
ground without much variation in surface or
running water missing. In all probability, how
ever, you will find that the trees are too much
of one age, and offer the eye no variety in out
line and effect Now, how remedy that? Simp-
ly by offering more foreground to the spectator
in other words, cut down good many trees so
that the rest may be seen to better advantage.
And let the fringe of the woods remain Jagged,
so that the leafy line runs in and out that the
clouds may run their broken shadows playfully
on it, that the sun may hide behind the green
promontories that the fresh grass may bay like,
run into the plantation. Bring into prominence
old trees by cutting away the rabble round them
young trees by isoating and dumping Them
that they may showlike a juvenile party, and
not stand meaningless among their elders And
we have arrived at the point now-bring out |
your shrubbery. 1t is that which is the link and |
the transition from open space and green grass
to forest growth 1t is shrubbery by which the
comparatively blank space of turf and the tall
occupants of the soil are best measured, by
which they both get their value, by which they
both are best set off, and by which their contrast
is best and most pleasantly felt. All this is of
where Nature did not bring you variety as her
gift. But even where the Introduction of shrub
berry is least necessary, it will still improve and
heighten the romance of the grounds.
Suppose, now, we have to deal with a half
acre lot Here shrubbery rules omnipotent, and
the tall trees have to play second part for what
else, dear reader, do you want to create round
your house but small and fair epitome of Ma
ture short abstract with the best points in it.
10 be sure for Immediate effect, you will plant
all manner OF young trees and in this YOU are
right. But one single Pine or Elm will when
grown up give you probably more shade. dark
ness and dampness, for that side of the house
than you wish and it will not live and let
live the smiling grass now round its base
Your place will not be that epitome and short
abstract wished for, but will be only so MANY
trees of lank trunks and rigid caunteDance, with
house standing gloomily amongst them. And
now take to shrubs, planting tree only where
you want actual shade. Dispose of the shrubs
as if you had fve-acre lot and as if they were
trees. Avail yourself of the great difference in
height and shape amongst them Look how
they will frame and dimple your large lawn, (for
you must have large lawn, be your place ever
sosmalD since you will remove or cut them
down when they get too big. Look how they
VIII consort so gracefully with your flower
beds, which trees will never do, not even Young
ones hardly. And look what a finished an
pearance, nay, what semblance of yastness
they will impart to your cherished little home
Try them, and you will dispense us from saving
more about them.