Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-22
The Garden in Summertime
Hints for the Amateur

1lntS TIE AHdLcuI
TNHE tolor-scheme in a garden is mat
i ter which should receive the most care
full attention For, no matter how beau
tiful the flowers may be, their correct ar
rangement with an eye to color and ar
tistic effect is most important. Reds and
purples, for instance, If grouped together
without thought as to effect in shades,
ETC.. will spoil a garden and give 1t
garish look that is not to be desired.
Another matter which Is frequently
overlooked is a lack of sufficient green
in garden The natural environment of
plant Is green, and there is little chance
that the amount of this color be overdone.
Too many of the public gardens and
parks show q lack of green growing
amidst the briliance Of the flowers. Col
ored bedding plants are crowded together
and stand out harshly. They would look
Infinitely better were they against a soft
background of green-but many otherwise
proficient gardeners will not understand
this fact.
Properly separated by green. colors can
be used near each other which would
clash dreadfully we're they brought inl
mediately together Take, for example,
The varieties run from scarlet and GRIM
son and orange red to the blush tints of
magenta and solferino. 1t will be easily
seen, then, then II these are all mixed
heedlessly the effect will be discordant.
But IL red is used as the leading note and
there be plenty of green to separate the
plants, the border may gradually merge
into yellow reds and purpllsh reds with
wonderful and satisfying effect
IleYl.A
garden heliotrope, meadow rue, caraway
and wild carrot will improve the scheme.
1t must be remembered that, just as
Rome was not built In day, neither is
a successful garden worked up in even
one season! This Is the mistake which
so many amateurs make. They expect
that the plants will grow with the rapid
ity of the famous fairy-tale beanstalk,
and that in one night everything will
show results. The wise gardener must
remember that infinite patience and con-
slant watching and study are necessary
for the cultivation of fine garden.
AS regards the placing of plants, tall
plants should be placed toward the back
of the bed, while the smaller ones come
forward. Or If a circular arrangement
is desired the tall plants go in the centre
and the smaller ones are arranged around
In a circle.
The wise gardener should own a note
book and all sorts OF notes should be
entered with reference to the plants. For
instance, while plants are still In bloom.
note should be entered of any change
to be made in the fall. Most perennials
are benefited by occasional lifting though
shrubs are, of course, an exception to this
rule
The use of ferns improves the look of
garden immensely, An ugly corner In
a garden can be made to look perfectly
beautiful If few ferns are planted
against background of stones Small
slabs of rock, with earth placed in be-
tween and large stones arranged artisti-
cally around will be a fine bed for ferns,
and will present cool, delightful appear
ance, II there is by chance any little
pool or stream in your garden, ferns
should be planted nearby
Many delightful varieties can be oh
tained In the woods and will transplant
very nicely If the soil is rich. ferns will
stand tull sun. Ferns should really be
taken from the woods in early spring,
put they may be transplanted successfully
In midsummer II they are carefully
shaded for the first few days and also
we'll supplied with water
The hop vine is another useful plant
winch can easily be transplanted and
always looks well. 1t festoons around
and over WALL trellis or arbor with its
pale green calyxes,
For use In a more severe climate. the
virginia creeper Is popular, also IL the
situation happens to be exposed. At
nTst IL takes little time to get estab-
nshed, but once 1t is under way there
- no limit TO its growth. 1t requires
certain things, such as severe nr,ninS
every autumn some sun, lots of fertiliz- |
ing and certain amount OF water. But |
II Is SO beautiful that 1t repays one for
any trouble taken. and 1t improves the |
% %appeatanee or any garden or wall OF