CONTRAST IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 23

CONTRAST IN THE GARDEN

The value of contrast in our gardens is often overlooked, and what there is occurs in a haphazard fashion, which often fails to have any interesting or arresting effect (writes “ Lorna,” in the ‘ Manawatu Daily Times ‘There should, however, be e.iough variation used to avoid monotony without achieving' a> restless and spotty result. To take an extreme example, if one had the furnishing of an estate with trees one would Hot'plant it exclusively with elms, which, though beautiful in themselves, would produce an appearance of monotony. Nor would one plant a specimen of every tree; but rather be content with a certain number of kinds, , lanting them in groves and belts, thickets and avenues, with large stretches of grass intervening, and here and there some particularly beautiful trees as a focus of- attention. On a much smaller scale" the same principle applies to the garden. There is the large herbaceous border where sometimes all the tall things are placed at the back and the others graded according to height', the whole effect appearing far too formal. Rather-let some of the tall subjects run out into the middle of the border, leaving irregular wedge-shaped openings for medium-sized things, and keeping low-growing plants for the edge. Above all. plant boldly, the number of plantsof each kind depending on the size of the border, but never use less, than three. The herbaceous border calls for greater skill and, knowledge of . the habits of plants than any other part of the garden-. hut if notes are made each season mistakes can be rectified and much .valuable experience gained. A dark background of evergreen is a valuable asset to such a border. The whole subject of contrast is a large one, and one can only touch the fringe of it in a limited space, but wo can make endless experiments in planting, and in so doing find our garden'worlv more engrossing than ever, and at the same time our gardens will become much more interesting. Even in the rock garden it i> advisable to study the height of one's planting. A few moderately tall plants springing up from a mass of low-grow-ing stuff not only achieve notice for themselves, but also emphasise the dwarf character of their companions, this but sparingly, as every pocket treated in a like manner would produce anything but a pleasing effect. Here and there a dwarf, low-growing shrub will add distinction. The spiky mounds of annerias (thrifts) always lock well placed with violas. Aubrietia will look well near, but not strangling, the larger silvery s»xifragas. Gypsophila repens rosea and saponaria will cascade in deceiving delicacy alongside clumps of viola cornuta, and campanulas and pinks will dispute with each other for a place on the wall top. The blue linium is lovely in association with pinks, too, while gentian acaulis with nearby groupings of hoop petticoat daffodils is charming. Then there are the wild places of the garden where the gold-leaved acanthus and the megaseas give such good effects. Here, too. one may plant the plantain lilies, day lilies, the large spireas and funkias, all of which lend themselves so well to bold plantings.