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They grow the inexpensive varieties because
of the demands of an uneducated public. Nurseries are years
ahead of popular taste in their lists of material and are often
disheartened by lack of public support in their efforts to pro
vide plants better suited to our climate and the usual require
ments of home grounds.
Garden Patterns
Every successful garden is designed and planted according
to a pattern, and each pattern is based on principles of de
sign, which are common to all the arts-unity, coherence, and
balance. Garden patterns, unlike those used in dressmaking
and foundry work, cannot be mass-produced, since each one
is an outgrowth of a particular site. Herein lies the charm and
distinction of gardens. This being so, why do we attempt a
general discussion? Because each well-designed pattern con
tains ideas, and one or more of these ideas may help you
solve your own particular garden problem.
For the purpose of study and comparison garden designs
may be classified as formal and informal, conventional or
naturalistic, geometric or of free form. All these antipodal
words fit some gardens. Many contain both formal and infor
mal elements, naturalistic and conventional motives, geomet
ric and free patterns, so that the terms are often more con
fusing than explanatory. Of course every pattern must be a
complete unit whether it be symmetrical, or one that, at first
glance, appears almost devoid of organization. A garden
should be self-contained and not just ramble around the prop
erty indeterminately, running off here and there into nothing,
or bringing together incongruous lines and shapes.
However once it is completed, it is unimportant whether
you call it formal or informal, geometric or free. Actually it
probably will be a little of each. If it has a pleasing composi
tion, it is a success; if not, no matter how closely it follows
academic rules, it is a failure.
Locating Your Garden
First of all examine your property to determine the best
site for your garden, and then let the site dictate the design.
Never choose an arbitrary pattern and try to impose it on a
site, regardless of existing advantages or limitations. Where a
choice exists, consider carefully. Often the site that seems
most obvious at first glance turns out, on mature thought, to
be less advantageous than some other. In any case try to place
the garden near the house so that you can enjoy it closely
through each season and have many pleasing views from in
doors. (Plate 1.)
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