“DESIGN FOR LIVING"

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30216, 22 August 1963, Page 11

“DESIGN FOR LIVING"

Planning Of Gardens Some Christchurch gardens horrible, and among them were show gardens, Mr H. Marcussen. of the Horticulture Division of the Dpartment of Agriculture, said in a lecture on lay-out end planning of gardens and use of plants. His address "• as one of the series of public lectures on “Design for Living.” Many show gardens could be called horticultural monstrosities. Mr Marcussen said. A garden should be for recreation and enjoyment A person should not be a slave to his garden, and if he w anted to see formal gardens the public gardens were there. A garden should frame the house, be easy to look after, and attractive throughout the year. Mr Marcussen said there was too much emphasis on putting up fences in Christchurch, A hedge or mixed shrubs were much more effective. Also, front gardens were considered all-import-ant in Christchurch. Fruit trees for ornament as well as fruit, shrubs, a vegetable garden in proportion to the size of the family to be fed. and a secluded outdoor living area were all needed in the back garden. Mr Marcussen spoke on the Importance of indoor plants end window-boxes. With blocks of flats being built all the time and an increase in living in quarters without gardens, this type of green decoration would become increasingly popular, he said.