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Small gardens cannot accommodate more than one or two
related pictures at a time. Limiting the pictures in bloom at
the same time is another way of securing unity. This does not
mean that only one or two spots of color can be used. The
same arrangement should be repeated several times along the
garden path, balanced across the main axis, or repeated in
the four sections of the central-motive pattern. Usually we
have found that a single broad arrangement can be employed
satisfactorily in this manner for each of the periods of the
garden year; early spring, spring, late spring, early summer,
summer, midsummer, and autumn. This method gives suffi
cient bloom, good succession, and helps create unity. We have
considered seasonal pictures in Chapter VIII.
All this discussion of unity really boils down to a question
of simplicity. Simplicity is not a principle or a rule, but a
highly desirable objective. The smaller the garden, the sim
pler and more straightforward it should be. Such decorative
elements as statuary, benches, arbors, and bits of trellis are
hardly suitable unless they serve a definite purpose in the
design.
Formal Balance
With unity and segregation still in mind, we next consider
balance or equilibrium. In American gardens we tend to rely
on formal balance because most of our garden sites are level,
or nearly so, and boundaries are made up of straight lines
and right angles. To relate house and garden we use axial
lines. These closely connect the architectural mass of the
house, also composed of straight lines and right angles, to the
garden. So it happens we usually end up with a formal pat
tern.
Many beginning gardeners are repelled by the idea of for
mality. They fear rigidity. But a formal garden can be sim
plicity itself. Generally developed on a central axis, it uses
straight lines and segments of circles to secure the basic pat
tern. It is easy to maintain and pleasing at all times, just
what most gardeners want.
In a formal garden equilibrium is secured by grouping
plants symmetrically on each side of the axis or path to pro
vide equal interest. The stronger the axial line the more defi
nite these balancing masses should be. Balance may also be
obtained with color or texture as well as form. If you have a
pleasing group of yellow and white tulips underplanted with
blue pansies on one side of the garden you should have an
identical, or nearly identical group, on the other. It is not
necessary to use the same variety of tulip, but there should be
present an equal amount of the same color, as well as balance
in height, texture, and size of group.
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