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Landscape Gardening

Effective Landscape Gardening is an art which is only acquired by considerable study, taste, and judgment, on the part of persons engaged in its execution. The art has reference chiefly to the laying out of grounds, and the arrangement and planting of trees and shrubs in such a manner as to eventually produce the most pleasing effect, so far as circumstances in individual cases admit. Where natural Landscape does not, to a certain extent, exist, the work of wholly creating it becomes an extensive undertaking, and involves considerably more expense than where an arrangement and improvement, by additional planting, &c., are the only requirements. Landscape gardeners, by profession, are not very numerous, their services being in request principally for laying out new estates; and, as this presents endless difficulties to proprietors, and entails such an enormous amount of work and expense, it is not frequently undertaken. The chances of improvement in Landscape are, however, continually presented, and admit of being executed, by experienced hands, a portion at a time, without materially interfering with the effect of the whole until the work is completed. Definite ideas are absolutely necessary, and no attempt should be made at laying out or improving grounds without the fullest consideration being first given, and the results calculated to prove tolerably certain. A few of the main features may be here referred to, but their application must not be taken as always applicable, so much depending on individual requirements, locality, natural disposition of land, the beauty of existing scenery, and many other points which have to be kept in view. The selection of trees and shrubs for permanent positions should be restricted to such as are known to be perfectly hardy, and adapted to the soil of the locality. Doubtful ones may be tried for giving a variety, but they should be kept in positions where provision can be made for substituting something else in the event of failure. Tall-growing trees must be kept in the background, in the case of an extensive piece of undulating scenery, dwarfer specimens and irregular belts of shrubs being introduced in the front. A large space, and an open expanse of lawn or ordinary grass, is best suited for producing a Landscape effect, the eye passing from the foreground amongst and over trees and shrubs of a moderate height, either isolated or grouped, to an irregular background of various trees behind. The work of devastation amongst trees, when alterations are taking place, requires most careful studying before being carried out, or distinct and fine specimens of historic interest may be ruthlessly destroyed, and their place taken by something far removed, in reality, from the aim of improvement in view. Spring and summer are the best seasons for noting where improvements can be made, as the different forms of foliage and the way they contrast, the preponderance of one sort of tree and the absence of others, the proportion of deciduous and evergreen subjects, any obstructions that may be seen to hide fine specimen trees, avenues, or other permanent objects it is desired should be fully exhibited, may each and all be more readily seen when the leaves are fully expanded. Any defects noticed in this way may be committed to memory or paper, with a view to effecting a remedy, at the proper season, by cutting away, or by replenishing in places where deficiencies occur. Planting should further be conducted so as to prove effective, more or less, at all seasons; the introduction of trees for spring flowering receiving due attention, also others for autumn foliage, and a distribution of conifers or evergreen subjects, so as to avoid a patchy appearance in winter, resulting from the arrangement of the deciduous and evergreen kinds in too much of an alternate order. Spring-flowering trees and shrubs present a much finer appearance in Landscape when there is a good background; and, as few of them exceed a height of 20ft., such positions may generally be secured. The following, named in their usual order of flowering, are amongst the most noteworthy and conspicuous: Almonds, Prunus divaricata, P. Myrobalana, Amelanchiers, Pyrus baccata, P. floribunda, P. spectabilis, Cerasus serrulata, Magnolia conspicua, and its variety Soulangeana, Berberries, Lilacs, Laburnums, Hawthorns, Rhododendrons, and hardy Azaleas. Trees having divided leaves should be placed in prominent positions, as they are specially ornamental in summer; examples are Ailantus, Black Walnut, and Robinia. Those with white, yellow, or dark-coloured foliage are very telling from a distance, when judiciously placed, notably White Poplar, Golden Oak, and Purple Beech, amongst others. Of trees specially noteworthy on account of the colours assumed by their leaves in autumn, the scarlet Oak and Liquidambar may be mentioned. These are very fine in contrast with others having yellow or brown foliage, such as the Elm, Beech, Plane, Lime, and Hornbeam. The Lime and Horse Chestnut are, perhaps, two of the best trees for isolated clumps, their natural symmetrical habit causing the lower branches eventually to touch the ground, if protected from cattle, and left unpruned. Planting for immediate effect can rarely be practised to any great extent, on account of labour and expense; consequently, the future appearance and results of Landscape Gardening depend on the judgment exercised in the first instance, by disposing of the space and material at command to the best advantage. In a comparatively small space, the grouping of trees and shrubs, and the provision of a piece of open lawn in front, is specially recommended, so far as circumstances admit, in preference to a promiscuous arrangement of the former in all directions, and the cutting-up of the grass in consequence.

An important feature in the production of Landscape effect, wherever it can be obtained, is a broad stream or lake of ornamental water. In many places, where there are an extensive park and pleasure grounds, a running stream is already present, or, by diverting its course, such a valuable addition to the surroundings may be obtained from a neighbouring source. The course of the stream should be rendered irregular in width and outline, so as to present as natural an appearance as possible. An island, or a piece of land projecting from the edge into the water, judiciously planted with trees, near the points where the stream appears and disappears, will greatly heighten the effect produced. Water Lilies, and other aquatic plants, may be introduced to the shallow parts near the margin; and Alders, Willows, and Birch are specially adapted for planting on islands, or anywhere by the side of water. The foregoing must only be taken as general remarks on gardening in connection with Landscape: peculiarities which abound in almost every case can only be dealt with individually. See also Garden.