IN planning for succession of bloom in the garden, space and time are the important elements. Color, though it ultimately enters into the problem, is not a controlling factor. The loca tion of various plants in relation to each other and the time when they bloom provide the key to a successful solution of the problem. We will defer the discussion of color, therefore, to a later chapter.

Space

How large shall the garden be? Richardson Wright once wrote a delightful book on A Small House and a Large Gar den, but with today's costs and labor difficulties, the large garden is often too expensive and becomes a burden. The present-day tendency is toward smaller and simpler develop ments. The intensively landscaped estate with one or more intricate gardens is passing. The smaller garden related to the living portion of the house is now considered sufficient, but there is a growing demand that such a small garden be carefully planned for a satisfying succession of bloom. In working out the design of beds, be certain that there is enough room to accommodate groups of plants for each flow ering season. In no other way can you have adequate succes sion. Avoid intricate patterns with narrow beds and pathways, charming though these may be. You can develop better com positions with large beds surrounding a central or terminal focus. And what is of almost equal importance, these days, a simple pattern is easily maintained.

Width for Low Upkeep

Instead of planning the narrow borders 12 to 18 inches, or even 2 to 3 feet wide, try to make them 5, 8, 10, or even 12 feet wide. To many American gardeners this is a radical idea received with horror. Yet it has long been accepted practice in England and, if there is one thing that should be adopted from the English, it is their wide herbaceous border. A wide well-planted border is a superb garden expression, completely satisfying for the entire season. Such borders provide space for larger plant groups, a more complete succession, greater variety in plants, and they also cut down maintenance. Wide borders do not need the meticulous care required by small beds and intricate patterns. Consider the man-hours necessary for edging and trimming them. Remember how difficult it is to keep edges neat, unless a permanent curbing is provided. If you feel that the extra-wide border is difficult to culti vate, weed, spray, and otherwise manage, let us assure you that large plant groups are much more self-sufficient.