Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-06
Proper characterization Of Lawns, &c.
From Garden and Forest

Proper characterization Of Lawn. &c.
From Garden and Forest
Large palms and other tropical plants grown in
tubs or large pots are now often used In this
country Tor the decoration OF the lawns Of country
places or OF some Of the fashionable cemeteries
wnere costly glass houses are maintained on pur.
pose 70 store these plants in winter. No system
or garden decoration Is more expensive while few
OF tne devices or modern gardening are more DIS
pressing or unsatisfactory In their results. Palms
with very few EXCEPTIONS when placed out OF
doors In this climate soon become shabby The
loiiage Is torn and injured by the slightest storm
and having Deen produced In a damp and
shaded atmosphere, soon turns yellow when ex
posed to the full blaze OF the sun. But the most
perfect specimen looks out OF place on one OF our
northern lawns. IL Injuries the appearance OF the
trees and shrubs with which II Is thus brought fn
contact while these quite destroy the .auties OF
the palm. Contrast or this sort is not beauty
and the result must always be unfortunate. Sucn
plants have no place In the cemetery and the
money they cost could be directed with greater
advantage In caring for hardy trees, and for the
grass, wnlcn Is TOO often neglected In such places
In private gardens they are appropriate and
spendld OBJECTS Tor the characterization OF pro-
tccted terraces and plazzas, their graceful lines
harmonic always when brought into close con-
nectlon with architecture but The true way TO en-
JOY pains and many other plants as well In this
country Is In summer conservatory or tent
which can be spread over a terrace or "A portion az
tne lawn In immediate connection with the house
Sucn TENT can De made TO supplement the house
In delightful manner, forming an outdoor apart
ment In which palms and other foliage plants Will
eniAc, ouu iu WHICH many MOWERS show their
greatest beauty. Such tent can be made attrac-
i've mere during nve months, and In such tents
the tropical plants which are now allowed TO dis.
Inquire, curing the summer, many a fair scene
SHOULD De gathered Tor their own and for their
owners good. ~
But homogeneous and out of place as palms look
~ an American landscape, the effect produced by
planning Asaves, almost universally called Aloes
mere, upon the turf OF lawn, Is even worse: and
when NUMBER OF these plants are packed close
togethef iI circular bed the effect is grotesuue
beyond description. These, OF all plants are the
most architectural In outline. Naturally tney
grow IN country and In situations so dry that
there Is never vestige Of grass near them Stand
Ing out among the dry, bare, sun-scOrched rocks
OF the Mexican mountains, they are often beautl-
Iul ooJects, Milling tue Traveller with amazement
and delight; out an Agave growing out OF a trinity
mown lawn OF grass Is something which
the imagination OF person VINO had
only seen these plants as nature displays them
could never picture. But they have Jneir use IN
our modern gardenS No other plant can SO an
propriateiy or handsomely decorate Tn. balustraue
or terrace or The steps or great building When.
ever they can De used directly In connection with
buildings they are In the right place. No other
plants whicn can be properly used In such slLua.
uonS can SO Wen support the heat and drought
winch Iuil exposure u the sun entails, and there
are no plants which, when used In such situa-
lions, give such universal satisfaction II IL evil
Dent that me decoration OF gardens Can never at
Tain 10 us greatest possibilities until plants are
more generally studied than At present In their
homes and In special relation to their natural sur
r0und1nGS