Evening star., 1961-03-24
By ANTHONY &. GOULD
Mems Garden Clubs Of
MONTGOMERY County


The small plot for gardening
Of not more than 40 feet In
width presents an interesting
challenge. How can it contrib
ute the most to living, both ir
summer and in winter?
A successful small garden
can be interesting in winter a.
well as in summer. The antics
of rhododendron leaves as tenn
peratures drop from 35 to 81
to 25 are entertaining. An
dromeda or Pieris japonica Il
another measure of outdoor
temperatures.
Bare branches as well al
evergreenS offer variety II
color and outline. The various
shades Of green, needles, flat
leaves, dull and glossy are tex.
lures that help create variety
and interest.
A small garden can secure
more effect in the spring from
a clump of snowdrops or early
crocus than can q large
garden. The season can be
stretched Just as late, with
berried material, such as holly
cotoneaster, nandina. ThC
small garden needs only ont
Of these to produce an effect
whereas the big garden may
require a clump.
Minor Variations
In other words, the small
garden can add variety II
minor variations whereas {
large garden requires greater
contrasts and the contrasts II
greater numbers. Furthermore
the small garden, because o.
the natural limitations o
space, cannot count on many
startling plants, but ShoulC
secure variety in details.
Avoid strong reds, particu'
larly in a sunny area. Thu
the azalea Hinodigeri in thu
sun steals all the interest from
the rest Of the garden for thu
week or two it Is blooming
Such strong colors may better
be planted In the shade wherC
their brightness viii be muted
Domination Of the garden By
the size of one tree is likewise
to be avoided.
There are many small tree
that will fit into the scale
The common dogwood-CornuI
Florida, many of the crabs sucl
as Malus arnoldiana, M, Sic
boldi, M. purpurea elei, as vel
as crape-myrtle, and all thu
Japanese cherries are Towering
trees Is to Is feet tall that d.
well in this climate. Others,
bit more difficult but yer!
satisfying If they do well, In
clude the golden rain tree ant
the Franklinia. Here is offereC
a wide range in flowerini
times, and many specimens will
attractive foliage.
Look For Variety
Such trees can be scatteret
in the border with an opel
planting Of shrubs to adj
variety in height, as well q
leaf texture and flower color
If the shrubs are far enougl
apart, various ground cover
can be grown, adding anothe
source Of variety. Japanes
spurge pachysandra, myrtle
vinca minor, bugleweed-Ajugs
will all fin in around shrubs
and not make Q nuisance q
will ivy and honeysuckle. TIL
open style Of planting also per
mits the use Of hardy bulbl
such as narcissus, snowdropl
crocuS, and scilla. The snalle
narcissus and the others ar
low enough to face down
shrub bed. But for this ther
are numerous other things t
try, especially perennials sue
as candytuft, primroses an
iris.
The line separating tn
shrubs from the lawn in
small yard should not be
hedge except in very forms
gardens, but should be a grad
ling down from taller things /
the back to lower in from
This tends to enlarge the gar
den. On the other hand,
sharp line such as q row Q
boxwoods cuts the area, an
gives a more crowded i'm
preston.
Neither should the garde
be divided by q path. II a pat
is necessary, swing 1t to on
side but leave room for plant
ings between it and the bound
ary line. This planting wi
attract attention from tn
path which, left untreateC
would be a divider in muc
the same way the hedg
divides.
Vines, Other Fences
often a small garden hs
walls or fences around 1
These can be used to supper
choice vines such as clemati
or one Of the climbing rose
Pyracantha can be trained o
such a wall or fence, as ca
many kinds of dwarf fru
trees. But fruit is apt to be
II diSQDD0ii1tmnnt what Uit