F6, / / S~ Cdf S"& fmtootb '^T^HE interest in landscape gardening, that first and -*- greatest of all arts, continually spreads and deepens. Optimists tell us that there is no more hopeful indication of our increased culture as a nation. We are learning the obligations of ownership, and that the grounds sur- rounding our homes reflect our tastes and individuality quite as much as the houses we live in. Indeed, our first impressions of people are usually formed from the way in which their yards are planted and kept. In every bit of lawn there are landscape possibilities. We would aid in developing them. With so much of good taste spreading like leaven, we believe that the only reason why more yards are not made beautiful is that their owners do not know how to set about the work. Therefore, the object of this booklet is to help the average householder solve the problem of the decoration of his lot. It is also a supplement to our general cata- logue, offered with the hope that it may be helpful in choosing from among the many varieties described those most suited to individual needs. WM. FLEMER Copyright, 1903, by IVm. Flemer SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY Some Important Preliminaries All work that is well and intelligently done must center about a plan. In landscape gardening this is of unusual importance. After a careful study of the bit of ground to be made beautiful, the plan is drawn to scale. While doing this the eye of the mind must see two pictures : the work as it will look when just com- pleted, and the plan as it will look years hence when mellowed by time with the full growth of the materials you planted. So much depends upon wise and tasteful planning ; so much time, work and money are lost if radical changes in plans become necessary, that in succeeding pages we have given due promi- nence to this branch of outdoor art. In grading and leveling it is important that there should be a slight incline away from the house. Steep terraces are to be avoided ; slopes or easy natural curves keep in order much longer, seldom need repairing and are easier to mow. If there must be a steep bank, clothe it with masses of shrubbery and plants suited to the location. The entire surface of the ground should be evenly spread with at least a foot of good soil, or coated heavily with well-decayed stable manure. CONVENIENT DRIVES AND WALKS These should be as few and short as possible. Next to convenience, grace must be considered. A slight curve is more graceful and natural in appearance than a straight line. Another fixed principle in landscape art is that walks, drives and plant- ings shall be so located as to leave as broad a stretch of open lawn as can be preserved. The walks need not be expensive, as they can be made of any material that is convenient. In some quite pretty gardens the walks are of grass kept as a lawn should be. While open to some objections they are more sightly than gravel walks, and appear quite often in the plans of one of our best landscape artists. JVM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. THE GREEN SWARD To all the beautiful things we plant upon a lawn its coat of grass forms the background. A smooth, velvety green turf is therefore a first essential in all outdoor art, and no pains should be spared to insure its success. When the grading has been per- fected and a deep, even mulch of fertilizer applied, the top soil which is to receive the seed must be thoroughly raked over, until the tilth is fine and all stones or rough litter removed. The cleanest seed that can be obtained is always cheapest in the end. For average soils a good mixture would be two-thirds red top, with one-third Kentucky blue grass. A little white clover may be added, if desired. Choose a quiet day for the sowing, scattering the seed evenly and thickly. Six bushels to the acre is none too much. A sharp steel rake is best for covering the seed. After the trees and shrubs have been planted, roll with a heavy iron roller. As soon as the grass is high enough the mower should be used, and the oftener thereafter the better. New lawns are improved by an occasional rolling. TASTEFUL GROUPING AND PLANTING The ideal landscape consists of open spaces and pretty vistas through a fitting framework of trees, shrubs and flowers. A pretty bit of landscape can be made of almost every lawn or lot. It is always possible in grouping and massing hardy stock to preserve good views and screen objectionable ones. Somewhere about the grounds, usually near the center, there should be a broad, unbroken sweep of grass. The outskirts should be planted in beds and masses, with large bays and projections, where, later, new shrubs and plants may be added at the owner's pleasure. The larger-growing plants must be set where, at maturity, they will not hide smaller ones. Trees with bold outlines give character to a plan when grow- ing near the boundaries ; smaller, more choice sorts lend a charm to the foreground. Keep plants of the same variety together, setting them in masses. Good color effects are produced in this way, and repetition avoided ; there need be no two groups alike. The borders should be set with plants of good, low habit, that will retain their foliage to the root. All plants of l«ggy, spindling growth are in place at the centers of beds or in the background. 3 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS DETAILS OF PLANTING For most hardy trees and plants in this section we recommend fall planting. Dig generous holes, larger than the roots can be spread out to fill. Cut back to sound wood all bruised or decay- ing roots and branches, making clean, sharp cuts that will heal quickly. Dip the roots in water before planting, then set them only a little, if any, deeper than they stood in the nursery. Fine, fertile soil must be well worked in among the roots and tramped firmly. This is all-important. Water poured upon the soil when the hole is about two-thirds full serves a double purpose — to keep the roots moist and to settle the earth well about them. This is not so easily done after the surface is leveled about the tree or shrub. Rich, fresh soil should be used for filling in about the roots of hardy stock, but never fresh manures, as they burn or dry up the tender roots. A mulch of well-rotted stable manure spread over the surface of the ground after the planting is done tends to conserve the moisture and protects the roots from alternate freez- ing and thawing. We advise such a mulch for spring-planted stock, also to keep the soil moist and cool. PRUNE INTELLIGENTLY All trees and shrubs should be given room to develop in a natural, graceful way. The shearing of large-growing shrubs into small spaces or set shapes is in place only in formal gardens of foreign aspect. Intelligent pruning, then, consists in merely assisting a shrub's development by cutting out weak or crowded shoots, diseased or dying growth, and rank, straggling branches. People who prune without considering the blooming time of their trees and shrubs frequently cut away an entire crop of flowers. Varieties that bloom in spring and early summer should be pruned after their flowers have faded. Altheas, Hydrangea paniculata, and other hardy stock that blooms in fall should be pruned back in early spring. WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. PLANS FOR SUBURBAN LOTS Usually the owner of a lot finds the laying out and planting of his small domain quite fascinating work. As the planning is the most important and most difficult part of it, we have included in this booklet a few plans the arrangement of which can be made to fit the average suburban lot. For smaller plots some shrubs of each variety may be omitted ; for larger ones additions can be made. For a plot of unusual proportions or extraordinary loca- tion, requiring especial study, we can make a detailed planting plan, if furnished with a map of the place. This map should give exact dimensions and location of the buildings or other fixed objects. It must be drawn from actual measurements, and, preferably, to a scale of one-fourth or one-eighth inches to the foot. In the plans submitted, especial care has been given to selec- tion. Varieties have been chosen that will give permanent effects, and they are located according to their habits. The soil, climate and location of a place have necessarily much to do with the choice of planting materials for it. We must secure such as are adapted to the location, easily taken care of, and will produce such a continual variety of bloom and leafage as to make the place attractive through the whole season. The house in Plan C has rustic stonework as a base for the front porch. As there is quite an inclination in the surface toward the right, this base is about ten feet at the corner tower, while at the porte-cochere corner it is less than four feet. To conceal the wall at all seasons, it was decided to bank a selection of the best dwarf conifers around the base. The result has been most gratifying, for the effect is fine the year round. The con- trasts between the different tones of green foliage, with the various golden, yellow, blue, silver and bronzy tints is fairly indescri- bable. On any place where there is sufficient room to display them we recommend the use of a similar bed of these dwarf conifers. Nothing else that can be used for bedding is so con- tinually beautiful, so easily kept in order, or so permanent in character. The brighter tints of the young, growing foliage give a pretty variety in spring. A careful study of the arrangement of the materials and of the combinations shown on the following plans will be found very helpful to the amateur, and will enable him to plant taste- fully and satisfactorily any ordinary suburban lot. PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS PLANTING LISTS Copyrighted, 1903, by Wm. Flemer C 2 Clematis paniculata. 1 Wistaria. 1 Clematis Jackmani. 16 Ampelopsis Veitchi. 1 Hall's honeysuckle. 1 Climbing rose, Dorothy Perkins. 2 Crimson Rambler. 10 Grape-vines of sorts. 1 Austrian pine. 2 Norway spruce. 1 Frazer's fir. 1 Oriental spruce. 1 Bhotan pine. 1 Douglas' spruce. 400 Privet hedge plants. 5 Euonymus radicans. 5 White lilac. 4 Red-branched dogwood. Prunus Pissardit. 3 Forsythia 1 26 3 1 27 6 3 Fig A B 28 2 3 29 I 2 30 I 1 3i 4 5 32 10 11 33 7 6 34 1 1 35 4 4 36 1 37 3 6 38 5 4 39 1 40 1 4' 1 42 1 1 43 1 1 44 1 45 1 1 46 1 1 47 1 1 48 3 1 49 1 50 8 12 5i 2 52 2 53 1 1 54 2 2 55 8 7 56 1 57 1 58 10 8 59 3 7 60 1 61 1 1 62 7 5 63 8 64 10 5 6S 11 6 66 18 7 67 3 1 68 5 69 1 70 3 71 1 1 72 4 3 73 3 5 74 1 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. c 1 Golden syringa. Pear, or Japan plum tree. 1 Purple fringe. 29 Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora. 4 Red snowberry. 2 Kerria Japonica. 1 English strawberry tree. 6 Weigela, Eva Rathke. Pear tree. 5 Aralia pentaphylla, 13 Spirea, Anthony Waterer. 1 Retinospora filif era. 2 Retinospora squarrosa. 1 Nordmann's fir. 2 Colorado blue spruce. 3 Retinospora plumosa aurea. 2 Japan holly. 3 Japan maples. 1 Japan tree lilac. 2 Cut-leaved weeping birch. 2 Eulalia gracillima. 2 Azalea Vaseyi. 20 Azalea mollis. 5 Dwarf viburnum, Opulus. Andromeda Japonica. 1 Magnolia Halleana. 1 Sugar maple or linden. 26 Berberis Thunbergii. 17 Purple barberry. Purple barberry. Berberis Thunbergii. 18 Spiraa Thunbergii. 6 Japan snowball. 1 Japan rose-flowered weeping cherry. 16 Rhododendron Ei>erestianum. 8 Kalmia latifolia. Rhododendron, Chas. Dickens. 13 Azalea amana. Berberis ilicifolia. Japan snowball. 10 Deutzia gracilis. Deutzia Lemoinei. 4 Lonicera Morroivi. 1 White fringe. 5 Weigela, Variegated -leaved. 20 Stephanandra flexuosa. 2 Exochorda. PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS c 4 Philadelphus coronarius . 4 Viburnum Lantana. Hydrangea paniculata grandifiora. i Cercidiphyllum. 6 .... . Lonicera Tatarica. i White-flowered dogwood. 2 Calycanthus. 2 American Elm. Spiraa Billardii. i Laburnum. i Spiraa aurea. 2 Viburnum dentatum. i Red -flowered dogwood. 3 Deutzia crenata. 12 Golden elder. 4 Philadelphus grandifiora. 2 . . . . Rhus typhina laciniata. 12 Prunus Pissardi. 3 Laurel-leaved willow. 3 Deutzia, Pride of Rochester 3 Eulalia Japonica. Champion quince tree. 4 Spiraa Bumalda. i Double-flowering almond. 3 Kerria Japonica 'variegata. 8o Bedding roses. 4 Caryopteris mastacanthus. 6 Callicarpa. 3 Variegated-leaved cornus. 1 6 Spiraa arguta. i Spiraa rotundifolia. 2 White snowberry. 5 Spiraa prunifolia. 4 Lithrum roseum. 13 Yuccas. 150 Herbaceous plants: Dicentra, holly- hocks, iris, chrysanthemums, phlox, coreopsis, funkia, peonies, plum- bago, caryopteris, tritoma, dianthus, hypericum, etc. 2 .... . Dwarf Mugho pine. 8 Mahonia Japonica. 5 Euonymus Japonicus. 1 Halesia, or silver bell. 3 Lombardy poplar. 1 English larch. 1 Magnolia Soulangeana. PLANS- Fig A B 75 4 2 76 1 77 6 78 1 79 5 80 1 81 3 82 1 I 83 4 84 1 I 85 4 86 2 87 1 I 88 3 89 3 8 90 3 9i 4 92 3 93 4 1 94 4 95 1 96 1 97 3 4 98 1 99 6 4 100 7 12 101 4 102 8 2 103 1 104 5 1 105 3 106 1 107 3 2 108 2 109 10 6 no 100 28 in 1 1 112 28 2 113 5 6 114 "5 116 117 PLAN A Lot 75 x 150 feet PLAN B Lot 50 x 125 feet JVM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. < PLANS > Fig A B c 118 i Magnolia acuminata. 119 1 Weeping beech. 120 1 Purple-leaved beech. 121 2 Salisburia. 122 1 Pyramidal sheared box. 123 2 Weeping Norway spruce. 124 1 Weeping mulberry. 125 1 Fern-leaved beech. 126 1 Andromeda arborea. 127 1 Linden. 128 7 Myrica. 129 9 Hypericum Moserianum. 130 1 Pyramidal arborvitas. 131 1 Compacta arborvitae. 132 2 Globosa arborvitae. 133 1 Hovey's Golden arborvitae. 134 1 George Peabody arborvitae (Biota). 135 i Elegantissima arborvitae. 136 1 Nana aurea arborvitae. 137 3 Boxwood. 138 2 Douglas' golden juniper. 139 1 Japan juniper. 140 2 Irish juniper. 141 1 Elegantissima juniper. 142 3 Savin juniper. 143 1 Striata juniper. 145 17 Tamarixifolia juniper. 146 1 Dwarf white pine. 147 1 Retinospora compacta. 148 2 Retinospora ericoides. 150 2 Retinospora obtusa nana. 151 1 Retinospora plumosa. 152 2 Retinospora obtusa nana aurea. 153 1 Retinospora pisifera aurea. 155 1 Pumila spruce. 156 1 . . . . • Chinese cypress. 157 1 Virginia creeper. PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS A Few Hints on Varieties It is usually difficult for an amateur to choose from a large stock the few varieties best adapted to a small place. Long lists are puzzling and confusing. Our long experience has been placed at his service in this chapter of SELECTIONS FROM OUR CATALOGUE specifying the uses of only the most beautiful sorts suited for planting on grounds of limited extent. Some of them are already well known ; others, less familiar, are equally deserving. In cities, where there is always more or less smoke and gas, among STREET TREES FOR SHADE probably the best all-round tree is the Oriental Plane, or the Green-leaved Poplar, both of which grow rapidly into hand- some trees ; the Oriental Plane having bark almost as white as the birch's quaint " button-ball " seeds, and large, dark green leaves, a little more deeply cut than those of our American species. While the Green-leaved Poplar much resembles the old Silver- leaved sort, it is of a better form and habit and its leaves of a darker green. For village streets we would give preference to the American Elm, since it is a much grander tree. The beetle that once scourged it seems to have had its day. This, also, is a tree of strong, lofty growth, noted everywhere for its grace and elegance as an avenue or specimen tree. The Lindens cast a dense shade, delightfully perfumed by their lemon-scented flowers. They are quite robust in growth, and their regular, ovate outlines fit them well for street and avenue planting. The Silver-leaved Linden is an especially fine variety of the European species. Its dark, glossy leaves show their white lining in silvery ripples with the passing of every breeze. The Silver and Norway Maples are perhaps more largely used in cities than any other trees. When quick growth is espe- cially desired the Silver Maple is usually chosen. The Norway is also vigorous in habit, and of a more permanent character. WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. Both endure the ordinary street abuses with much fortitude, forming beautiful trees even under adverse conditions. Because of its unusually rapid growth the Carolina Poplar has been in great demand of late years. We have always discour- aged exclusive planting of this tree, because results are so unsatis- factory. Where the quickest possible growth is desired for almost immediate shade, several authorities recommend planting the Carolina Poplar alternately with other better trees, but in such urgent cases we would use instead the Green-leaved Poplar. This is really a fine tree, makes a compact round head, and holds its foliage well into the fall, while having the same valued charac- teristic of very rapid growth. The Norway Maple, Elm, and the Lindens, notably the Silver-leaved, might also well be classed among LARGE TREES OF UPRIGHT HABIT for lawn planting. The leaves of the Purple Beech are crimson in spring, changing with summer to purple and purplish green. It forms a handsome and conspicuous specimen tree, or, if grouped with trees of silvery or light green leafage, like the English Larch, the other Beeches, the Silver-leaved Lindens, etc., gives wonderfully fine contrasts. The Cut-leaved White Birch, frequently classed as a weep- ing tree because of its gracefully drooping branches, has a straight upright trunk white as a marble column and an air of great elegance. If it can be planted where some dark-foliaged tree or evergreen can serve as a foil for its silvery winter outlines 'twill be a thing of beauty to enjoy all the year. The English Larch is a deciduous conifer that grows fast into a tall, pyramidal tree on nearly all soils. In early spring its young tufts of needle-like leaves are a pretty rose color, changing with early summer to a fleecy cloud of light green ; later in autumn they are a clear bright yellow. Such trees as this are needed to give variety to the many oval and round-topped ones with ordinary leaves. The Scarlet and Schwedler Maples have fine traits that make them interesting and valuable for planting on small lawns. The flowers of the Scarlet Maple are brilliant very early in spring, before any deciduous tree has started into leaf. Later, in mild climates, its seed-pods color almost as vividly. In autumn it is PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS again conspicuous for its scarlet foliage. Both these trees are rounded and neat in growth, — hardy, healthy and happy in all soils. The Schwedler, or Purple Norway Maple, is a rarer tree, with young shoots and leaves of a bright purplish crimson in spring. They deepen in summer to purplish green. Magnolia acuminata, the Cucumber Tree, grows rapidly into a fine pyramid 60 to 90 feet high, clothed with the large, glossy foliage that is characteristic of all the Magnolias, and spangled in midsummer with showy creamy yellow blossoms. Its large cucumber-shaped fruits are almost as conspicuous in autumn, when they color to rich crimson. Magnolia macrophylla has leaves so large as to suggest rela- tionship to the banana, and flowers of waxen-white, spreading to form a chalice seven or eight inches deep and a foot across. The flowers are not only large but beautiful, and the fragrance carries far. It is perhaps the most tropical-looking tree that is really hardy in our climate. Select small or medium size trees, as large Magnolias are difficult to transplant. The Pin Oak is easily distinguished from other species even at a distance, by its drooping lower branches, which give it a graceful, sharply ovate outline. It grows faster than most of the other Oaks, and its elegantly cut, glossy leaves color to bright red in fall. It has become a great favorite of late. Fine speci- mens and avenues of it are developing wherever there are people of good taste and judgment. The Lombardy Poplar, of compact, sky-searching, columnar habit, is frequently used to break the monotony of lower, round- topped trees, and for screening some objectionable view or build- ing. A group of three or four of these trees, preferably on a slight eminence, is strikingly effective. The Salisburia, or Gingko, does not cast a dense shade, but its beautiful leaves, shaped like the pinnules of a maidenhair fern, are never touched by any insect. It is a tall, distinguished- looking tree in which the planter will always take pride. The Tulip Tree is exceedingly handsome in leaf and flower, grows rapidly to great height, and is suited to many localities. Unfortunately, it is difficult to transplant unless purchased when quite small. This is true also of the Sweet Gum, noted for the sparkling autumnal red of its shining, star-shaped leaves, and for its corky bark. These are the best trees of bold growth for specimen planting on small lawns, and for grouping about the boundaries. Among WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. DECIDUOUS TREES OF MEDIUM GROWTH for planting nearer to the house and in the foreground, we recom- mend the Fern-leaved Beech as one of the best. It is slow in growth, but of elegant round habit. During the growing season its young shoots with their finely cut leaves are like tendrils, giving the little tree a rare, wavy aspect. A greater contrast to this tree than the Bungei Catalpa could hardly be imagined. It has large, soft, heavy leaves, forming a dense, rounded formal head. As a natural arbor covering it is unequaled, and lately it has become quite a favorite for terrace decoration, taking the place of tender and more expensive bay trees. The owner of every lot covets for it a few Japan Maples. These rare and dainty little trees have leaves as beautifully formed and colored as flowers. Plant them where they may be con- stantly enjoyed. Our first choice would be the handsome Pur- ple, or Blood-leaved, Atropurpureum. Its deeply cut leaves are a rich and constant red ; its habit that of a broad, bushy shrub. It is the hardiest and altogether the best of the Japan Maples. The Cut-leaved Purple, Atropurpureum dissectum, has nearly the same fine color on its mature leaves ; the young growths are a beautiful rose color, slender and pendulous. The leaves are deeply and delicately cut. This and the green Dissectum have the same broad, low habit. Aureum has golden color leaves. All the Willows are useful to the landscape gardener, but two of them are especially suited to our purpose : the Laurel- leaved Willow, with thick, shining leaves, and the Golden-barked, conspicuous for its bright yellow shoots in winter. Both will reach a growth above the medium size if left unpruned, but are finest when severely cut back each spring, so that the young shoots will be abundant. These trees are especially recom- mended for planting on low ground where many other trees would fail. The Laurel-leaved Willow is one of the few trees thriving along the salt-water edge. Japan has sent us another new and pretty tree in the Cercidi- phyllum. It has handsome light green foliage of cordate shape, prettily tinged with purple in the young shoots, changing to yellow and scarlet in fall. It grows fast and has an odd, fastigiate habit when young. Another odd and interesting tree is the Chinese Weeping *3 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS Cypress. It is a deciduous conifer of upright, tapering form. The small branches are pendulous, somewhat like those of the Cut-leaved Weeping Birch, but the general appearance of this tree is so upright that we do not class it among the weepers. The finest of our small-flowering trees are found among the Magnolias. Earliest blooming of all is Halleana (M. stellata) , with pure white, semi-double flowers that are delightfully fra- grant. It is dwarf and shrubby in habit, — just the tree for small yards. Conspicua comes next in the splendid bloom procession. Its great white flowers are lily-like, 4 or 5 inches deep, and so early as to be occasionally caught by late snow-storms. A good specimen scarcely shows its branches through the blossoms. Soulangeana is freest blooming of all the varieties, showing great purple and white buds when only a few feet high. It flowers a trifle later than Conspicua. These three are among the finest and hardiest of foreign Magnolias. The best time for trans- planting magnolias is in spring. During removal their fibrous roots must be carefully protected from wind and sun. Almost any good soil suits them, but they like best one that is warm, rich and moderately moist. Some of our outdoor artists now place the Dogwoods next to the magnolias as flowering trees, and next to the scarlet oak in brilliant autumn foliage. They bloom only a little later than the magnolias, while other trees and shrubs are yet dormant, and their broad, horizontal masses of flat, wide flowers are very showy. Scarlet berries succeed the blossoms. The Red- and the White-flowering varieties are fine for contrasting together. The Halesia, Silver Bell or Snowdrop Tree, as it is variously called, has exquisite drooping bells about an inch in length, and tinted with pink in the bud, strung thickly along its branches. These are followed by curious four-winged seeds, once used by the Indians for beads. The English Hawthorns are white with bloom in May. There are many handsome species of the Thorn, but if we could choose only one variety it would be Paul's Double Crimson. These trees are dense, low growers, occupying comparatively little space and paying tribute in rich glossy leafage, showy fra- grant flowers and pretty fruits. The Sorrel Tree, Andromeda arborea, is too often over- looked in choosing trees for a small yard. It has luxuriant, peach-like leaves, over which its loose, racemed clusters of white flower-bells droop gracefully, reminding one very much of lilies- «4 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. of-the-valley. Often the flowers are white until the leaves turn crimson in fall. The young shoots are as brightly colored as those of the crimson-barked dogwood. Perhaps the prettiest bright-berried tree for small enclosures is the English Strawberry Tree, laden in fall and early winter with large, oddly formed fruits of scarlet and orange. Its stems are a dark, polished green at all seasons of the year. Plant against some evergreen to show its berries well. For much of the interest lent by variety of growth and out- line we are indebted to the WEEPING DECIDUOUS TREES Among the largest of these are the Weeping Willows, that are such favorites for planting along the waterside. They are bright with a tender green first of all the trees in spring; and their cord-like young branches droop four or five feet below the older ones that support them. The Weeping Beech forms a large tree of curious, picturesque growth. Its tortuous, down- sweeping branches make rich bowers of foliage. Among smaller trees of drooping habit, the Japan Weeping Rose-flowered Cherry is considered finest. It is especially adapted to small lawns and gardens. Rosy pink buds and flowers wreathe its slender branches before the leaves appear, clothing the tree quite to the ground with a mist of bloom. Teas' Weeping Mulberry and the Camperdown Elm both form beautiful green tents and playgrounds for the children. They are strong-growing and in a few years form good-sized specimens. Young's Weeping Birch makes a handsome tree when grafted on good stems. Its shoots are fine and thread-like. The Weeping Dogwood is a quaint little tree with upright leader and drooping branches. CONIFEROUS EVERGREENS The selection of evergreens for single planting and massing is usually difficult for a novice. We therefore give the character and limitations of the best sorts, with some hints on their uses and arrangement. The Arborvitves transplant so readily, are so neat-habited, and, in many cases, so brightly colored that landscape gardeners »5 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS use them in quantity. The American or Western species are hardier, grow larger and are more generally useful than the Biota, or Eastern, sorts, which are yet so fine as to deserve some care in protection. The Pyramidal Arborvitae is a compact, slender column of dark green, used, like the Lombardy Poplar, for strik- ingly effective groups. Compacta is a densely branched dwarf form, of oval outline and rich green color. It is a good choice for small lawns, low hedges and evergreen bedding. The Globe Arborvitae forms a small, dense round head without any training. Peabody's Golden is certainly one of the handsomest of the tinted conifers ; it contrasts beautifully with darker evergreens. Among the Biotas there are two especially beautiful varieties : Elegantissima, with flat, fern-like young growths of golden yellow ; and Nana aurea, an elegant little dwarf, with bright, gold-tipped twigs. The Firs and Spruces incline to blue and silver rather than to golden tints. Finest of them all is the Colorado Blue Spruce, an exceptionally beautiful tree, with foliage of rich silver-blue. We advise the purchase of grafted stock, in every case, as seed- ling trees are not so finely colored. Abies concolor, the new Rocky Mountain species, is almost as beautiful as the Colorado Blue. It is of fairly rapid growth, has yellow bark on the young branches, and unusually long, light green or silvery leaves curved upward. The foliage of Nordmann's Fir is wide, thick, dark green and lustrous, with a silvery under surface that gives the tree its name. The fir forms a thick, dense specimen of beautiful proportions. The White Spruce has foliage of silvery gray. It is a fine native tree of medium size and naturally dense, pyram- idal growth. The Mt. Atlas Cedar, Cedrus Atlantica glauca, is another beautiful blue-tinted tree. It has feathery drooping branchlets and a most graceful appearance. Noble's Silver, Frazer's Silver and the Weeping English Silver also have elegant foliage of silvery character. The Hemlock and Norway Spruces, although they make beautiful specimens when young, are now chiefly used for screens, hedges and shelter-belts, for which they furnish excellent material. Douglas' Spruce grows with unusual rapidity and is clothed quite to the ground with vigorous branches. Its leafage is light green. The Oriental Spruce has very dense, dark foliage, that never shows open spaces or the brown branches in its center. It is a tall, pyramidal tree that is fine enough for any situation. Pumila is a compact, dwarf spruce of perfect symmetry, especially desirable for small lawns and cemeteries. The Weeping Norway 16 One year after planting The above two pictures were loaned to us by the "Outdoor Ait Club," of Brooklyn, N. V., and are good comparisons of before and after planting. Note the cozy and homelike transformation. i.-,-^— r.-s»W- ----'■>^- - ■■ IRVIT8 A X B VEGETAHLES ® 88 1 rJX 90 Ki* ■70 Wig 154 L2G gft»4 I' PLAN C For a suburban property 150 ft. square The key to this plan will be found in the ''Planting Lists," on pages 5 to 9. This plan is one of a place planted by us, and in its present condition is one of the most beautiful properties in its neigh- borhood. The house has rustic stonework as a base for the front porch. As there is quite an inclination in the surface toward the right, this base is about ten feet at the corner tower, while at the porte-cochere corner it is less than four feet. To conceal the wall at all seasons, it was decided to bank a selection of the best dwarf conifers around the base. The result has been most gratifying, for the effect is fine the year round. The contrasts between the different tones of green foliage with the various golden, yellow, blue, silver and bronzy tints is fairly indescribable. Effective planting along a path and steps WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. Spruce, like the Weeping English Silver, is valuable for its odd, interesting growth, and the variety given by it. Juniperus tamariscifolia is interesting for the same reason. It is a pretty low, trailing shrub, with leaves of glistening dark green, used chiefly for rockwork, borders and the edges of groups. Another good dark-leaved species is Japonica, a dwarf, dense, bushy little tree, with leaves of lively green. Its variety, the Japan Golden, is rich yellow through summer. Douglas' Golden Juniper is one of the good newer sorts. Its growth is dense and spreading, its foliage a constant golden color through- out the year. Elegantissima is taller and particularly attractive in winter, when the gold-bronze of its young twigs contrasts strongly with the dark older foliage. The Pines are bold and handsome or picturesque in growth, and so different in character that species may be selected for almost any use or location. The Austrian grows rapidly to a tall, handsome tree, with dark, massive, spreading branches. Cembra, the Swiss Stone Pine, forms a tall, compact cone, with short, silvery leafage. Of the dwarfer sorts the Mugho and the Dwarf White are most useful. The first makes a broad, dome- shaped bush of dark green, twice as broad as its height. We use it for planting on bare hillsides, terrace banks, small lawns, or near salt water. The Dwarf White Pine is a naturally dense and elegant little tree, that forms fine specimens without trim- ming. It has beautiful silvery needles, and is of especial value. The Retinosporas are suitable for the smallest lawns, for grouping with arborvitaes, yews, etc., in beds, as in Plan C or for growing in pots for house and terrace decoration. R. obtusa nana is the variety which the Japanese use chiefly for the latter purpose, — a weird little tree of irregular growth, with black-green foliage. Obtusa nana aurea has yellow- tinted leaves. Filifera's odd cone of drooping thread-like branchlets shows exquisite tints of soft light green. The color, together with its curiously pretty growth, makes it especially valuable for massing in the front line of evergreen belts and groups. This, also, has a choice yellow-tinted variety, Filifera aurea. Pisifera aurea has horizontal branches forming a close pyramid of yellow. Plumosa carries its small foliage on short branches, like plumes of clear, light green. Plumosa aurea, the Golden Retinospora, is one of the genuinely golden and constant evergreens. The foliage of Squarrosa Veitchi is feathery, and of a rich silvery glaucous or steel-blue, that contrasts well with the dark green and golden tints of other evergreens. 17 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS Unlike most evergreens, the Yews thrive well in shade, and this trait fits well their need for shelter, for, unfortunately, they are not entirely hardy in our climate. The Irish Yew forms a dark, slender column that requires no clipping to preserve its shape. It requires but little space, is distinct and quite effective in grouping. Cuspidata brevifolia is a handsome, rare new sort, more broadly pyramidal, and thought to be entirely hardy. Both are slow-growing and refined in appearance. In spring, when tipped with bright young twigs, they are especially attractive. To mingle with the conifers, giving variety in foliage and in general contour, we have a number of handsome BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREENS some of which have splendid flowers to brighten their dark leaf- masses. After the Rhododendrons, which follow in a chapter of their own, Kalmla latifolia is the finest shrub of this class. In cultivation it forms a broad, dense shrub, conspicuous from its shining leaves in summer and winter. In May and June the great rounded flower-clusters appear, opening quaintly angled pink buds into masses of almost white bloom. Anything finer than this contrast of pearly pink and white with the leaves glis- tening green it would be hard to imagine. It is a shrub of the greatest value for specimens or massing. The Andromedas, now a much-divided family according to later rulings, are among the first of these shrubs to bloom. A. Catesbai (now Leucothoe Catesbai) has the beauty of its long, curving leaf-sprays displayed everywhere in elegant indoor win- ter decorations. In culture the shrub is fountain-like, sweeping the ground with these sprays on every side. Very early in spring short panicles of closely set, small white flowers are borne beneath almost every leaf. A. Japonica divides the honors more evenly between leaf and bloom. Its slender racemes of pure white blossoms overhang the shorter deep green leaves, and thus are better displayed. Both are among the most graceful of the early-blooming evergreens. Azalea amcena has showier flowers of soft red in May, and small dark green leaves that turn bronze-red in winter. It is a neat low shrub, always bright, and excellent for bordering ever- green groups, etc. Among shrubs valued chiefly for their handsome leaves are 18 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. Berberis ilicifolia, a rare shrub, with wide dark, spiny leaves ; the well-known Tree Box, in pyramidal and standard form ; Euonymus Japonica, with broad, polished leaves of darkest green ; the rare Japan Holly, described under Hedge Boundaries ; and the Mahonias, Aquifolia and Japonica. The latter are useful for lawn groups in shade. Their foliage resembles that of the Holly, but is larger, and bronzes beautifully in winter. The Cotoneasters, the fine American Holly and Pyracantha Lalandi are grown as much for their bright fruits as for their leaves. In warm climates the Holly becomes a fine tree. The Yuccas grow shrubby with age, are evergreen, and their great rosettes of long, sword-shaped leaves always suggest the tropics, especially when crowned with their great stems of white flowers. Groups of them in front of evergreens are very striking. They thrive in the driest and most exposed situations. RHODODENDRONS A little more intelligent care in planting these grand ever- green shrubs would dispel the illusion that they are difficult to grow. They grow naturally in damp, shaded places, so in choosing a location for groups of them, select northern exposures, if possible, where there is shade part of the day, at least. Remove two or three feet of the surface soil and fill in with a mixture of leaf-mold, swamp muck or field sods, and a good proportion of sharp sand. Thoroughly decayed manures may be used, but no fresh ones. All these materials should be well decayed and well mixed. After carefully setting the plants and firming the earth well about them, mulch deeply with leaves. In dry weather moisture must be liberally supplied. Top-dress the beds occasionally with fine old manures. Where exposed to strong winter sunshine protect with spruce or pine boughs, as the sun shining on frozen leaves spoils or injures them. Like azaleas, these shrubs refuse to grow in a soil that contains much lime, or in dry, hard ground. Ferns and herbaceous plants thrive finely among Rhododendrons. The hardiest of the showier species is Catawbiense, with large clusters of lilac flowers. From it have been raised many superb hybrids that are better suited to our climate than any others. Everestianum, with flowers of rosy lilac, is hardiest. Charles Dickens, crimson-flowered, is also hardy. Among the next hardiest are Album elegans and Album 19 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS grandiflorum, both superb white-flowered sorts ; Blandyanum, crimson; Caractacus, rich purplish crimson; Roseum elegans and Roseum superbum, beautiful pink flowers, and Purpureum elegans, lovely purplish rose. FLOWERING SHRUBS In grounds of limited extent, where the planting of many trees is impracticable, an abundance of well-chosen shrubs is even more important than usual. They form a brilliant under- growth and supplement to the trees, and, at some seasons, almost the entire beauty of the lawn depends upon them. As it is very important in planting them to know the relative height of shrubs at maturity, we append a list of the more useful sorts, giving their average height when well developed ; also their blooming time and relative usefulness. Next to the Rhododendrons, the Azaleas are accepted as our most brilliant hardy flowering shrubs. They are usually planted as specimens, in beds by themselves, or with Rhododendrons. The last is the more effective way, for the Azaleas bloom before they have much foliage of their own, and the Rhododendron's dark leaves are a fine foil for their gay flowers. Then, too, the " Dendrons " furnish the shelter and shade that Azaleas love, and both thrive well in the same soils and locations. Azalea mollis has fine trusses of large flowers in different shades of lemon and orange-red. The Ghent Azaleas grow 3 or 4 feet high, bearing their showy trusses of white, lemon, blush, salmon, rose, orange, scarlet or crimson, with great freedom in May and June. A beautiful native variety, with waxen flowers in an exquisite shade of pink, is Azalea Vaseyi. The Altheas, Hibiscus Syriacus, bloom as gaily at a time when their flowers are much needed. Their great variety of color makes it possible to use them in large quantities even in small areas. The Variegated-leaved variety is especially good either for hedges, groups or specimens. A good shrub for large, tropical-looking clumps is Aralia spinosa, or Hercules' Club. It has pinnate leaves, prickly stems and immense panicles of white flowers in August. A. penta- phylla, a smaller species, is grown for its fine palmate leaves. Some shrubs of this class are desirable, not only for their own beauty, but to give interest and variety to the lawn. Berberis Thunbergii well deserves the star that precedes its WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. name in our list. It is equally beautiful for a dozen or more different needs of landscape gardening. Some of its special uses are for bordering larger shrubs, planting around the founda- tions of a house and for low hedges. The Golden Elder and the Purple-leaved Barberry are fine for contrasting with other shrubs. Both fruits and leaves of the Barberry are violet-purple, the flowers yellow. Callicarpa purpurea, grown for its fine fall effects, also has berries of the same beautiful color thickly fringing its long shoots. The flowers are small and light purple. The flowers of the Calycanthus, or Spice Bush, are an odd chocolate-brown and borne, like partially opened buds, in the axils of its large, shining leaves. Had this shrub much less beauty it would still be grown in quantity for the spicy odor of these flowers. Early in April the Japan Quince is a burning mass of scarlet bloom. It makes a fine large shrub, and its long, abundant thorns, together with its thick, vigorous growth, adapt it well for defensive hedges. Not so showy, but quite as beautiful and free-blooming are the Deutzias. Crenata and Pride of Rochester are tall-growing and well fitted for screens or the background of shrub groups. The first has pure white, double flowers, which in the latter are tinged with pink. Gracilis is a charming low, dense shrub, found excellent for bordering groups, planting near the house, or where large shrubs are inadmissible. Its delicate single white flowers are borne in drooping sprays through early summer. Taking thought for winter effects, we must plant somewhere against the evergreens a few such shrubs as the Red-branched Dogwood and the Willows mentioned among " Trees of Medium Growth." When well cut back every year, so that abundant new shoots will be formed, the bright red bark of this Dogwood is as effective as flowers or berries. The Forsythias, Viridissima and Suspensa, have dark green polished stems, but are grown chiefly for their sunburst of golden yellow bloom in March and April. Kerria Japonica and Variegata also have smooth green stems all the year. Their larger, golden yellow flowers are borne through midsummer. This shrub is much esteemed, especially in the variegated form.* Hypericum densiflorum is another pretty yellow-flowered shrub, but lower and more bushy. It can be grown in shaded places where other shrubs will not thrive. Hypericum Moserianum is listed under perennials. *The White Kerria, Rhodotyfus kerrioidei, has white, syringa-shaped flowers, followed by shining black seeds, all summer. 21 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS The Pearl Bush, Exochorda, is a medium-sized shrub of singular delicacy and beauty. Its branches curve gracefully on all sides with the weight of the milk-white, syringa-like flowers that cover them in June. The Purple and White Fringe Trees, from their tall habit, form fine background or specimen shrubs. They do not belong to the same genus, and are very unlike in general character. The flowers of the White Fringe droop gracefully to fill the open spaces among its large, leathery leaves ; the flowers of the Purple Fringe are so minute and borne in such great panicles as to resemble wreaths of smoke. Of the Bush Honeysuckles, the Tartarian and Morrow's are the best. The fresh pink of their abundant flowers contrasts charmingly with their deep green leaves, and after the flowers come heavy crops of red clustered berries. The Great Panicled Hydrangea is the most popular and widely planted of all shrubs. It may be trained to suit different tastes and lawns, — into odd Japanesque tree-form, or planted in masses and cut back to the ground every year to produce more vigorous shoots. The latter is the only way to retain the fine size of the flower-heads. The American and Japan Judas Trees are valuable for their early spring effects. Cut back to large shrub form and grouped with the Chinese Magnolias, which bloom at the same time, the Judas' dense, rosy masses of flowers form a glowing background for the great white Magnolia cups. In praise of the Lilac little need be said. It is a shrub that can never become common however widely planted. We now use it for screens, hedges, specimens, beds and for forcing. The fine old Purple, White and Persian have been crossed with foreign sorts until there are numerous varieties. Among the best of the new and old are Charles X, with loose, large clusters of reddish purple ; Josikaea, of tree-like growth, with dark, leathery leaves and purple flowers in June ; Marie Legraye, the very finest white Lilac ; Rothomagensis, with superb reddish purple plumes, and Sougeana, deep reddish lilac. Myrica cerifera, the Candleberry or Wax Myrtle, is a low, spreading native shrub, with handsome leaves and small white berries in autumn. Its useful traits are given under Ground Cover Plants. The Mock Oranges (Philadelphus) have four-petaled milk- white flowers, with golden centers clustered along their branches. Those of P. coronarius, the fine old Garland Syringa, have a WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. delightful fragrance. Grandiflorus has larger, odorless blossoms. Both are tall-growing and may be used in backgrounds or cut back to denser, lower growth. P. foliis aureis is a pretty dwarf form, with golden yellow leaves, quite constant in color, and valuable for edging tall groups, or contrasting with such choice purple-leaved shrubs as Prunus Pissardi. This, by the way, is perhaps our very best dark-leaved shrub. When cut back so that the new shoots are strong, the leaves are so deep and velvety as to appear almost black. Pyrus arbutifolia, the Red Chokeberry, has pretty pink and white flowers and dull red fruits. Like the Red-fruited Snow- berry or Coralberry, mentioned under Ground Cover Plants, it will thrive on thin, dry soils. To the usual fine traits of a rose, Rosa rugosa adds others that make it a choice shrub and hedge plant. It forms a striking bush, clothed with large, handsome foliage and continuous showy single pink or white flowers. These are interspersed with large scarlet heps all through the season. In springtime all the Spireas are very striking from their extravagance of bloom. Some of them bloom all summer ; others have beautiful leaf-colors in autumn. For groups, specimens, borders, screen and ornamental hedges they are among the best shrubs. Thunbergii, Arguta, Prunifolia, Van Houttei and Opuli- folia, named in the order of their flowering, all have white flowers and a neat, graceful habit. By some landscape gardeners Van Houttei is given first place in the whole category of shrubs. It seems to combine all the good traits of the others in a way that makes it unlike any of them. Thunbergii has a delicate beauty at all seasons. Its early, fluffy masses of small white blossoms are followed by narrow, willowy leaves that color brightly in fall. Prunifolia is the fine old Bridal Wreath,— a mass of long, slender shoots, so thickly set with small, perfectly double flowers as to give a solid white effect. Opulifolia aurea is very conspicuous from the golden yellow tint of its leaves. It has white, double flowers. Among pink-flowered, summer-blooming Spireas we consider Callosa, Bumalda, and its variety. Anthony Waterer, the best. The latter has dark crimson flowers, borne profusely and con- tinually. It is one of the finest of our newer shrubs. Caryop- teris mastacanthus, the blue-flowered " verbena shrub," is similar to the spireas in habit, and is sometimes classed with them. Its flowers are abundant all season, and quite fragrant. Of the spirea style of beauty, and closely allied to them, is 23 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS Stephanandra flexuosa. Its habit is fountain-like, with slender branches regularly interwoven in fan-shape, and so dense that any growth of weeds beneath them is impossible. The small white flowers are very abundant, making the shrub quite showy in blooming time ; in fall the leaves are an unusual reddish purple. A choice shrub for borders or to grow in front of larger shrubs. The Tamarisk family contains some beautiful species that, if they had no flowers whatever, would be valuable for breaking the monotony of ordinary green leaves. Their foliage is of a feathery, light character, like that of asparagus, and extremely pretty. Their delicate spikes of flowers are usually in some warm shade of pink that forms a charming contrast to the leaves. Besides ordinary uses they are much planted near the seaside. Viburnum plicatum, the showy Snowball, of hydrangea-like effects, is by far the best known of its family, but some other sorts deserve greater attention than they are given. Tomen- tosum, the single form of Plicatum, has flat, pure white cymes of flowers borne profusely along the branches in early June. V . Lantana has large, soft, heavy leaves and red fruits following its white, clustered flowers. Dentatum bears its white blossoms later than other sorts. Dwarf Opulus is a pretty little bush for borders. The Weigelas, or Diervillas, bloom in June after the lilacs. Their flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, of all colors from pure white to red, and sprinkled thickly among the leaves. W. Candida opens its white blossoms profusely in June, and at intervals through summer ; Rosea is by far the finest of the pink-flowered sorts ; Eva Rathke, brilliant crimson, is a new favorite ; the Va- riegated Dwarf Weigela is perhaps the prettiest and most useful of them all. It has pink flowers in charming contrast with silver-varied leaves, and stands the sun quite well. In beds by themselves or in front of shrub borders we rec- ommend the use of as many of the choicest FREE-BLOOMING ROSES as the garden can spare room for. There is no danger of having too many unless the temptation to crowd many bushes in too small a space presents itself. The Hybrid Perpetuals are strongest and tallest. They bloom royally in June, occasionally through the summer, and liberally again in fall. The Teas scatter their flowers impartially through the season as long as they are kept growing ; seasons that most favor their growth 24 Hollyhocks in an old-fashioned garden Golden Elder along a drive IV M. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. will, of course, produce the most flowers. The Hybrid Teas have good qualities of both classes, and bloom continually. The climbing Roses are easily located near porches. The three best entirely hardy sorts are the Crimson and Yellow Ramblers and Dorothy Perkins, the new shell-pink, fragrant Rambler. The Rambler traits of hardiness, amazingly quick growth, and splendidly clustered flowers are now very generally known. That fine old Climbing Tea, Gloire de Dijon, makes a strong growth and blooms freely when well located. As far north as Philadelphia it is entirely hardy. Its large, full, amber- pink and yellow flowers have a delightful fragrance. Some of the more useful and free-blooming Hybrid Teas are Augustine Guinosseau (White La France), Duchess of Albany (Red La France), and Kaiserin Augusta Victoria. The latter has large, full, elegantly formed flowers of purest white. We recommend it, without any reservations, as the freest really fine white rose for bedding. The freest-blooming really fine pink bedding rose is Maman Cochet, — vigorous, spreading, handsome in leaf, with superb, deep, full flowers and long, pointed buds. Its fragrance is delightful. Duchess of Albany is a more robust, deeper tinted form of the famous silvery pink La France ; Guinosseau, a paler one, exquisitely shaped and colored. Clo- thilde Soupert, a Tea-Polyantha hybrid, is the best bedding rose of all, did we consider only vigor and continual extravagance of bloom. It is a bushy, well-balanced little plant, and its clusters of medium-sized, full, flesh-pink flowers are exceedingly pretty. Choosing carefully from the long list of Hybrid Perpetuals, we would recommend the following : Gruss an Teplitz, a new and brilliant scarlet bedder ; Mabel Morrison, with large, full, grandly formed white flowers ; Marshall P. Wilder, bright crim- son ; Mrs. John Laing, clear bright pink ; Paul Neyron, deeper pink, so large as to resemble a peony ; Victor Hugo, dark maroon. Margaret Dickson, the finest white Hybrid Perpetual, has a pale flesh center and large, thick, incurved petals. It is also one of the most fragrant Roses. Besides the climbing roses there are a number of other HARDY VINES that will give shade and screening, while toning down the raw- ness of a new place sooner than trees and shrubs. For covering walls there is nothing finer than Ampelopsis Veitchi, the Boston PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS Ivy. If small vines of it are planted, give them a little rich soil and slight protection until well started, when, unaided, they will soon cover walls with a thick, smooth mat of leaves, green in summer, scarlet-crimson in fall. The Virginia Creeper,^, quin- quefolia, is an admirable vine for screens or dense shade, and colors quite as brilliantly in fall. For a dark covering the beauti- ful, but somber, old English Ivy grows well on both walls and tree trunks. It needs about the same care as the Boston Ivy until established. Being evergreen, it is handsome all the year. Clematis paniculata is particularly useful for covering veran- das, pillars, fences, etc., where a trellis is easily provided. In blooming time it is white with dense wreaths and drifts of flowers. Its numerous branches grow from 25 to 30 feet in a season, and should be cut back every spring. Jackmani, magnificent in its season with sheets of great deep purple blossoms, is still the finest of the large-flowering Clematises. Even small young plants are bloom-laden, the rich flowers appearing in crops all season. Hall's Honeysuckle, also nearly an evergreen, is a model porch vine. Its white-to-buff flowers appear in successive crops all summer. It blooms better when no trailers are allowed to grow along the ground. Screens, fences, hedges, arbors, etc., can also be made beautiful with this vine. Bignonia radicans and Wistaria Chinensis are two vines that climb high and twine tightly. The latter is a favorite vine for training over balconies or the facades of tall buildings, which it drapes with light leaves and purple cascades of bloom. The Bignonia has foliage of a similar character, but its flowers are great waxen trumpets of bright scarlet, growing in clusters at the tips of branches that droop with their weight. Both these vines are used for porches, summer-houses, walls, tree-trunks, etc., but the latter use is unwise, unless the trees are dead or worth- less, for woody vines of this sort are pythons of the garden. HEDGE BOUNDARIES A hedge is a far prettier boundary for any place than the most ornamental of fences. It is a better screen, forms a good background for handsome perennials, and makes the grounds look larger. If planted with choice shrubs, among which bloom- ing vines have been interspersed, a hedge is as beautiful as any other part of the garden. The California Privet is the most popular hedge plant of the 26 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. time, and will give fairly good results under the most adverse conditions. For a low hedge we would set the plants 6 inches apart in the row ; or, if planted in double rows, let the plants be 8 inches apart in the rows and the rows 6 to 8 inches apart. The little shrubs should be cut back to within an inch of the ground the first year to make the hedge full at the base. In some cases, where the soil is thin, it may be well to follow this treatment another season. A good rule is to keep cutting a young hedge down until uniformly thick and full at the base. Berberis Thunbergii does not require so much cutting down as the Privet, being of a low, bushy habit that naturally fills in close to the ground, and the shrubs may be planted a foot apart. These traits, together with its silvery leaves, pretty flowers, bright fruits, and fierce armament of thorns, make it an ideal plant for low ornamental defensive hedges. For very shady locations and on very thin soils, however, we would give preference to the Privet. There are many other deciduous shrubs used for ornamental hedges, as Cydonia Japonica, Tipsa rugosa, Altheas, etc. For evergreen hedges we have a greater variety of good material. The Norway Spruce, American Arborvit^ and Hemlock Spruce are beautiful to look at and bear close pruning. Their comparative merits are in the order named. For a hedge of medium height the plants can be set 1 8 to 24 inches apart. For a very low evergreen hedge the best two plants are the Boxwood and Japan Holly. The latter is still a rare plant, and being slow of propagation, will necessarily be expensive, but we know of nothing that will equal it in richness of effect. It is like the Boxwood in general appearance, but the leaves are much larger, lighter green and do not change color in winter as Box leaves sometimes do. Should be set 8 to 12 inches apart. Among evergreens useful for tall screens and shelter-belts, the Norway Spruce is best ; the Hemlock Spruce, and the Austrian, Scotch and White Pines are also frequently used for this purpose. On account of its close, columnar habit the Lombardy Poplar is the deciduous tree most used for this purpose. GROUND COVER PLANTS Where grass can be made to grow evenly and closely it is finer than anything else for covering a bare surface, but on steep banks, in dense shade, and on very dry, thin soils, it is sometimes necessary to use small shrubs or creeping plants and vines. 27 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS For steep banks Rosa Wichuraiana and the Honeysuckles form a good covering. The former is a beautiful single white rose that mats the ground closely with its small, shining, evergreen leaves. It blooms in clusters, and bright red berries succeed its blossoms. Vinca minor is also evergreen and well adapted to this use in densely shaded places. Few people notice what lovely blue flowers hide under its leaves very early in spring. Another shade- loving plant is the fine old English Ivy. A little good soil about its roots and some protection during severe winters are all that are necessary to establish it. On gravelly, thin soils the Red Coralberry grows obligingly, while in the driest and most trying locations Myrica cerifera will thrive. There is, therefore, no reason why the most unpromising portions of any lawn should not yield their quota of beauty. Without encroaching upon the open lawn space found so desirable even in small grounds, it is possible to fringe the bor- ders of the shrubbery with a fairly good collection of PERENNIAL PLANTS A good selection would include sorts to bloom all season ; a good arrangement would scatter them to places where their blooming time would supplement that of the trees and shrubs. One of the best early-flowering perennials is Dicentra spectabilis, the Bleeding Heart, full of rosy blossoms on drooping racemes in early May. They have a curious heart-shape, suggesting the common name. Although Lilies-of-the-valley prefer somewhat moist and shaded places, they will form fine irregular clumps almost anywhere along the edge of the shrubbery, if given rich soil. They are usually fragrant, with dainty white flower sprays in April. The different species of Phlox bloom from spring until fall. P. subulala, the pretty Moss Pink, opens its mats of pinkish purple flowers in April and May. Few plants are prettier for low, flat borders. The lilac- flowered Procumbens blooms next, and scarcely fades before the first of the superb Decussata hybrids unfold their panicles. To extend their blooming time until frost it is only necessary to pinch back some of the shoots in June and July. The brightest and the most delicate colors are represented in their flowers. 28 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. Quite as grand and showy a race are the Peonies, now no longer a type of coarsely brilliant beauty, but vieing with rose and rhododendron in the estimation of outdoor artists. The new and the imported varieties show some single, loosely graceful, and delicately colored flowers, as well as fine, full types. They bloom from April until June. Of the Japanese Irises a noted landscape gardener has said that " wealthy men build and maintain glass houses at great expense to shelter plants not half so fine." Their great flowers are indeed superbly formed and dyed with glorious hues. Although well adapted to water-margins, good beds of them can be established in any rich soil. The German Iris blooms earlier, has crested instead of widely opened flowers, and deserves quite as much praise as the Japanese. The Hollyhock, too, is having its day in this revival of appreciation for old-time flowers. Every one must admire its stately picturesqueness, and it has every good quality of a fine, tall perennial, including pronounced individuality. Of the Digitalis, or Foxglove, almost the same might be said. Of lower growth, it is yet almost as stately, and its deep, drooping bells represent shades of almost all colors. Often the throats are curiously tigered with velvety spots like those of the gloxinia. Rudbeckia, Golden Glow, is taking the place of the tall sun- flowers for mass effects in yellow. It is a good specimen or background plant, loving full sun and a rich soil. Do not plant near porches or walks, as it is finer when seen at a distance. Hypericum Moserianum is another good yellow flower for mid- summer. It is low-growing, and generally classed as a shrub. Its golden yellow flowers are large and single, with a thick brush of long stamens in the center, giving them a soft, fluffy effect. Lythrum roseum, the Rosy Loosestrife, perfects its long branching spikes of pink flowers in June and July. It thrives in almost all soils and locations. Plumbago Larpent^: is one of the best bedding plants for autumn flowers. It has creeping stems that send up a multitude of deep blue blossoms. At the North it needs some winter protection. Of the tall Perennial Grasses, Arundo Donax, the Great Reed, of maize-like habit, and the Eulalias are the best and hardiest. Eulalia gracillima has long, slender leaf-blades, and is perhaps the most graceful of all. E. variegata has leaves of white and green ; in E. zebrina this same variegation is in bands crossing the leaves. 29 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS THE FRUIT GARDEN Fruits every day in the year, from one's own garden, are among the delightful possibilities that good planning and a small plot of ground can yield. For the small fruit garden we recom- mend the following sorts as best : Apples. Yellow Transparent, early; Duchess, midsummer; Wealthy, early fall. Grimes' Golden, Wagner and York Imperial are good and good-keeping winter sorts. Hyslop is a large and beautiful deep crimson Crab Apple. Pears. Bartlett, summer ; Kieffer, for canning in autumn ; Seckel, the delicious little dessert Pear; Sheldon, autumn; Duchess, for dwarf trees that take up little space and bear young. Quinces. Champion, for productiveness and keeping qualities. Peaches. Champion, Crawford Late, Iron Mountain, Stump and Elberta. The latter is a fine yellow Peach. Plums. The best are the Japanese sorts for the small garden, of which Abundance, Wickson and Bartlett take the lead. Apricots. The Harris is most generally successful. Cherries. Windsor, dark ; Napoleon, white, heart-shaped ; and Montmorency, a large deep red Morello, we recommend as the best three sorts. Nuts. The Japan Chestnut, English Filbert and English Walnut are small and medium-sized trees that pay well. Grapes. Brighton, Diamond, Worden, Moore's Early, Niagara and Concord are good purple, white and red sorts. Currants. Fay's, red ; White Grape, for dessert, and Lee's Black, for medicinal and culinary purposes, are fine. Gooseberries. Downing is most generally satisfactory. Raspberries. Loudon, red, and Gregg, black, are the best. Blackberries. Our choice of a single sort would fall on Erie. Strawberries. Haverland and Bubach. ASPARAGUS AND RHUBARB are really the "first fruits" of the garden, preceding even the strawberries. Conover's Colossal is perhaps the best Asparagus. For a row of Rhubarb we would choose Myatt's Linnaeus. 30 WM. FLEMER, SPRINGFIELD, N. J. A HELPFUL TABLE This table is intended to be helpful in giving the height, blooming time and relative merits of shrubs and perennials, so that it will be easy to choose among them and to determine their position in the border. A star ("*) preceding the name of a shrub means that it is exceedingly handsome ; the figure i means a sec- ond choice, 2 a third, etc. The first column after the name gives the season during which the species is most attractive; for instance, the figure 5 means that a shrub blooms in May. A cross (t) be- fore the figures of this column means beautiful leaves ; a double cross (t) fine leaves, flowers and, in some cases, fruits. A dagger (|) means fine berries ; a star (*) brilliant bark. The second column gives the approximate height of shrubs and plants at maturity. The third column shows the page on which descrip- tion of the plant may be found. Season of attractiveness Altheas 8, 9 Altheas, variegated- leaved J 4-10 Aralia pentaphylla . . f 6-10 Aralia spinosa % 6-10 Azalea Vaseyi 4, 5 Azalea mollis 5, 6 Azalea Pontica (Ghent) 5, 6 Berberis Thunbergii J 5- 1 Berberis, Purple-leaved % 5- 1 Callicarpa j 8 Calycanthus 5 Cydonia Japonica (Japan Quince) ... 4 Deutzia crenata, and Pride of Roch. . 6 Deutzia gracilis 6 Dogwood, Red-branched *u- 4 Elder, Golden t 4-11 Exochorda 5 Forsythia suspensa 3,4 Forsythia viridissima 3,4 Fringe, Purple 6 Fringe, White 5 Honeysuckle, Tartarian j 6 Honeysuckle, Morrowi j. 6 Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora . . 7-1 1 Hypericum densiflorum 8 Judas, American (Cercis) 4 Judas, Japan 4 Kerria Japonica 7-10 Kerria Japonica variegata 7-10 Height Descrip. in feet on page 20 20 8 to 10 6 to 8 4 to 5 6 to 8 4 to 2 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 4 to 4 to 4 to 6 to 4 to to to to to to 3 . 2/2 2>A 4 s 5 6 5 4 to 3 to 5 to 3 to 6 to 4 to 6 to 2 to 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 H 21 22 21 22 22 22 22 21 22 22 31 PLANS FOR PLEASANT HOME SURROUNDINGS Season of Heieht attractiveness in feet 2 . . Lilac, Purple 5 2 . . Lilac, White 5 2 . . Lilacs, Sougeana and Rothomagensis . 5 2 . . Lilac, Josikaea 6 3 . . Lilacs, Marie Legray and Chas. X . . 5 Myrica \. 9-12 Philadelphus coronarius 6 Philadelphus aureus 5-10 Philadelphus grandiflora 6 Prunus Pissardi t 5-10 Pyrus arbutifolia 4, 5 Rhodotypus kerroides 5-1 1 Rosa rugosa % 6-12 Snowberry, Red-fruited -i'o- 3 Spireas, Waterer and Bumalda .... 7-9 3 . . Spiraa callosa 7- 9 2 . . Spiraa arguta 4, 5 Spiraa Thunbergii 5 Spiraa Van Houttei 5 2 . . Spiraa opulifolia aurea X 6-10 2 . . Spiraa pruni folia (Bridal Wreath) . . 4, 5 2 . . Stephanandra 5 3 . . Tamarix t 5-10 2 . . Viburnum, Dwarf Opulus t 5-10 2 . . Viburnum dentatum 6 Viburnum plicatum 6 3 . . Viburnum tomentosum and Lantana . 6 2 . . Weigela Candida 6-9 . Weigela, Eva Rathke 6 . Weigela rosea 6 . Weigela, variegated -leaved 5-10 HERBACEOUS 2 . . Arundo Donax 2 . . Caryopteris, or Verbena Shrub . . . 8-1 1 1 . . Chrysanthemums, Hardy 10-11 3 . . Dicentra spectabilis 5- 6 4 . . Digitalis 6-8 1 . . Eulalia gracillima 2 . . Eulalia zebrina 3 . . Hollyhocks 6-9 4 . . Hypericum Moserianum 7-1 1 2 . . Iris, German and Japan 5-8 4 . . Lythrum roseum 7, 8 1 . . Peonies 4- 6 1 . . Phlox, Hardy, in varieties 5-10 3 . . Rudbeckia 7- 9 32 S to 6 . 5 to 6 . 5 to 6 . 5 to 6 . 2 . 3 to 4. 3 to 4 . 6 to 8 . 8 to 10 . 5 to 7 . 4 to 6 . 2 to 3 . 3 to 4 . 2 to 3 . 2 to 3 . 3 to 4. 3 to 4 . 5 to 7 . 6 to 8 . 6 to 8 . 4 to 5 . 8 to 10 . . 1%. • S to 7 . 6 to 7 . . 6 to 7 . 6 to 8 . 4 to 6 . . 4 to 6 . . 4 to 5 . Descrip. on pace 22 22 22 IO to 3 to 1 to 1 to 2 tO 4 to r to 2 tO 2 tO I to l A to 6 to J. HOUei MCFUSUNO CO.. HOUTICUITUIUI PWNTtM. H*MI8i«in, Pt JUN. 5 1903 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS