LANDSCAPE GARDENING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

LANDSCAPE GARDENING.

WALKS AND DRIVES. | Walks and drives are among the most prominent features in ornamental grounds and when these are properly designed, located and liid down in keeping with the peculiar surroundings, disposition of the land and other natural requirements, they add greatly to the appearance of the landseapo and eiichanco the enjoyment by thn facility they afford in traversing tlit grounds and viewing the principal objects of attraction. Tho disposition and construction of walks and drives should receive the greatest attention. This applies to smaller grounds also. Easy and graceful curves afford better facilitiis for a more effective and pleasing stylo of planting. The projected lines of walks should bo first pegged out and should tho marking out in the first placo be unsatisfactory they should bo arranged and rearranged to 'suit the eye. When curves are too abrupt and badly designed the edges of the grass are liable to be walked upon. Curved walks are the most natural and best adapted for ornamental planting, but upon extensive level grounds straight walks or drives tastefully planted upon cither side, with avenues of large growing trees, present, a picturesque appearance. DIRECTIONS FOR PLANTING. After tho grounds have been portioned out by drives and walks, drains laid down and ether necessary preparations completed for planting and laying down in grass, much will remain to be done. The cultivation of flowers, shrubs and trees of an ornamental character, including suitable varieties to afford shelter and protection from the weather as well as to add to tile privacy of tho garden and to enhance and embellish the beauty of tho landscape will bo the next, and by no means the least important operation. No matter how tastefully and well the walks have been planned, tho effect may be ruined by injudicious planting. Tho planter must possess a thorough knowledge as to tfhe ultimate requirements of tho trees and plants at his disposal. One of the greatest mistakes is that of indiscriminata arrangement of trees and shrubs without proper regard to the ultimate height the different varieties are likely to attain or what space tho branches of the fully developed trees may require. Tho location in respect to hardiness has also to bo cansidered.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. Before pioceeding with the general planting suitable positions should bo selected and pegged out for the tallgrowing trees that will ultimately develop into handsome specimens. Too often beautiful and valuable specimens have to bo sacrificed through being planted in unsuitable positions, either too near to the edge of the drive or directly in front of or close to the dwelling, thus obstructing the view frcm tho windows. The lawn and playing grounds should be kept as open as possible and the trees and shrubs arranged in belts or borders around the margin with a fine specimen or two standing alone in somo prominent position to afford shade, and where its beauty may bo seen to best advantage. SHELTER AND PRIVACY. In dealing with small grounds where the house is situated a short distance from the public thoroughfare I would suggest tho planting of a border or belt of "small-growing trees and shrubs and also suitable varieties of hedge plants. 'J liese, when grown up, will afford a natural shelter °as well as add to the seclusion and privacy of the garden and grounds which is one of the greatest charms of the garden. Tho border of trees and shrubs should vary in depth according to the size of the garden and grounds. Tho shrubs and trees should be irregularly planted, the taller growing being arranged near the outer boundary and the dwarfer growing shrubs along the inner margin. Borders such as these may be formed at the sides of the garden to conceal the dividing fences, if any, and break tho view from adjoining houses. In these | lantations quite a number of ornamental and flowering trees and shrubs may be grown. By judicious planting the shrubs may bo kept within hounds, while a cfi'tain amount of privacy is desirable. y Care must bo taken not to confine the residence too much.

NEW ROSE GARDEN. TEN THOUSAND TREES. Ten thousand rose trees, all British grown, aid shortly to he planted in *l new and specially designed rose garden, which will he the principal feature of the Koy.il Botanic Gardens in Regent's Park when reopened to the public early next season, says Ihe Times. .1 he trees aie the gift oi: tile British Rose-Growers' Association to the London parks, and the details of the scheme have heen arranged by the Empire Marketing Board in conjunction with the Office of Works, the British Rose-Growers' Association, and the Horticultural Trades Association. English, Scottish, and Irish rose growers are combining to make the display one of the most comprehensive ever assembled in one garden. It will include almost every known variety of rose, and is designed to show the qualities of British-grown roses for cultivation. The garden is triangular, and the principal beds are being laid out ill the form of a giant cart wheel in such a way that each individual tree will be readily accessible for inspection.