Evening star., 1940-03-23

valuable lesson that we should not
exhibitors used the arborvitaes, jun
red cedar and hemlock. For lower
ing yew (Taxus cuspidata capitata)
Our gardens need background plant
ings for this reason, as well as to
serve as windbreaks and to give
privacy.
Speaking of backgrounds, 1t was
interesting to note how carefully the
exhibitors had selected their plants
and shrubs for height. OF course,
they were fortunate in that they
could select each plant or shrub ac-
cording to its present size, whereas
the home gardener should consider
the ultimate height, for his garden
picture is built for long time in
stead of just for one short week.
Nevertheless there is point in hav-
ing an attractive background with
the foreground paintings blending
in.
Edges Sharply
Defined.
The exhibit gardens looked neat
and trim because the edges OF the
beds were sharply defined. Trim
ming is not an easy task but 1t does
Improve the appearance of a yard or
garden. Grass that is cut at a uni
form height (and that does not
mean shaved Off, adds to the ap-
pearance.
The walks were for the most part
made of soft-colored flagstones, and
were never conspicuous. Weathered
brick and tanbark were used in a
few gardens. Such materials are
not harsh in appearance and, where
suitable, should be used. The walks
in the exhibits were kept to one side
so as not to reduce the apparent size
of the lawns any more than neces-
sary. Usually they went directly to
some definite object. Those that
were curved had an excuse, either
group of shrubs or the contour, for
not following the most direct route.
Many gardeners collect bright
colored stones for their rock gardens.
At these two big shows, the rocks
used in the gardens-rock, wall or
wildhower, were of the softest hues.
Such rocks are not conspicuous and
do not detract from the flowers but
form a pleasing background. One
rock garden had the rocks arranged
Just as they had been dug. 1t had
most natural appearance and the
rock plants and shrubs seemed to
belong.
1t was interesting to note the
frequent use made of the evergreen
shrub andromeda (pieris). The
American form, commonly called
(mountain andromeda P. f1ori-
bunda) is a delightful low-growing
native with erect panicles of tiny
bell-shaped flowers. The Japanese
andromeda (P. japonica) is taller
growing shrub with dropping pan
icles of tiny white flowers that also
open in early spring. The buds of
both are snowy all winter. These
shrubs have only been used for
landscaping in the last few years.
although hardy and well adapted
to shady situations.
Spring Blooms
Featured.
Practically every garden at the
shows featured early spring flower
ing plants, shrubs and trees. From
the home gardeners view 1t would
have been more instructive if they
had been combined with summer
and fall Towering ones. However,
mass effect is valuable and whether
used in a spring Towering show gar
den or in the backyard a sufficient
number of plants or shrubs should
be grouped together to produce the
desired effect
Water was freely employed to give
interest to the gardens. The use
ranged from a large waterfall to
tiny pools and in every place it
added interest because it was al
ways so used as to seem natural.
The pools were apparently in the
lowest places. The falls were in
the background and the streams
followed the slopes. It was all done
by clever arrangement of rocks,
trees and paintings. This shows
what may be done in level yard
with little careful planning.
Other materials which may be
used for focal points, besides water
are seats, birdbaths, arbors, sun
dials, etc. Such points are best
located to one side or in the dis
tance so as to give depth to the
garden. This. however, does not
apply to formal gardens.
No doubt there were many other
valuable lessons to be cleaned from
the shows, but the many beautiful
flowers claimed our interest and
we could not lightly pass them by.