Topiary art is a form of structural gardening that once had great prominence in the old country. This called for the trimming and training of amenable plants in certain forms of animals, birds, or pieces of furniture. There are today, in America, a few estates where these pieces of garden art have been formed and … Read more
“If you have seen a Japanese snowball bush forming a white and green curtain against a weathered stone wall, you know how effective a wall shrub can be. Various flowering and fruiting shrubs submit to this type of training, giving the gardener with limited space a chance to grow more of the things he likes. … Read more
If space is at a premium in your garden, try espaliering. This is an old French method of training small trees and shrubs against a wall or fence in a flat pattern. Not only do such plants make the most of every inch of space, but they are decorative as well— and the protection of … Read more
Facades of houses are often attractively planted with shrubs and evergreens, but sometimes little is done to enhance the side walls. They are usually just as visible from the street and are less interesting from an architectural standpoint. They should not be neglected. Lack of Space: Neglected Planting Lack of space is often the reason … Read more
For over a century, European gardeners have made the most of their garden space, both decoratively and productively, in training fruit trees by the espalier system. This method has many points of value to small property owners. Fruit trees typically grow quite tall and broad and bear a prodigious quantity of fruit. This is all … Read more
Expanses of unadorned walls are becoming a part of our American scene. This is equally true of residential as well as business structures. To the designer, these large unbroken areas represent today’s concept of functional design. To the builder, they mean faster production. To the gardener, these blank walls may be considered new canvases against … Read more