DOI Heft:
No. 66 (August, 1902)
DOI Artikel:Artistic private gardens in the United States of America
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22774#0161
American Gardens
“ BEVERLEY,” MASS.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE GARDEN
large number of photographic illustrations and
plans of existing gardens in the United States are
given. By the courtesy of the publishers, who
have kindly lent us their original photographs, we
are able to reproduce here a selection of views,
which, we think, will be found to be most valuable
in their suggestiveness. The use of the pergola,
the lily pond, the large Italian earthenware pots
for evergreens, or other shrubs requiring removal
during the winter, are especially noticeable. While
we may deplore the absence of many features
which render the English formal garden so delight-
ful, but which are impracticable in America, a
hearty word of commendation may be accorded
to the magnificent way in which difficulties have
been overcome and satisfactory results obtained.
The beauty of many Italian and English gardens
is largely due to the results of age. The fine
velvet-like lawns, the huge clipped yew hedges, so
characteristic of the old English garden, are the
result of many years of close attention. Time
alone can give the immense trees, the lichen-
covered stone, and marble buildings and adjuncts
which are noticeable in I taly. But in the present
day, while trees are growing and stone structures
are weathering, it is possible to do much to render
a garden at once beautiful and habitable; and the
extent to which this may be done can be realised,
in a measure, by studying the kind of American
gardens which are here illustrated. But the
charm of a garden depends so much upon its
colour, its wealth of well-disposed greenery and
brilliant blossom, that no photograph, however suc-
cessful, is able to suggest the fulness of its beauty.
Garden architects are, perhaps, rather prone to
imitate old Italian shapes and ornament in garden
furniture. However good and appropriate they may
have been in Italy in the past, it is not desirable to see
them slavishly copiedin other countries to-day. There
are many designers, both in Europe and America, who
are capable of imparting the necessary modern expres-
sion and individuality to the accessories of a garden.
123
“ BEVERLEY,” MASS.
GENERAL VIEW OF THE GARDEN
large number of photographic illustrations and
plans of existing gardens in the United States are
given. By the courtesy of the publishers, who
have kindly lent us their original photographs, we
are able to reproduce here a selection of views,
which, we think, will be found to be most valuable
in their suggestiveness. The use of the pergola,
the lily pond, the large Italian earthenware pots
for evergreens, or other shrubs requiring removal
during the winter, are especially noticeable. While
we may deplore the absence of many features
which render the English formal garden so delight-
ful, but which are impracticable in America, a
hearty word of commendation may be accorded
to the magnificent way in which difficulties have
been overcome and satisfactory results obtained.
The beauty of many Italian and English gardens
is largely due to the results of age. The fine
velvet-like lawns, the huge clipped yew hedges, so
characteristic of the old English garden, are the
result of many years of close attention. Time
alone can give the immense trees, the lichen-
covered stone, and marble buildings and adjuncts
which are noticeable in I taly. But in the present
day, while trees are growing and stone structures
are weathering, it is possible to do much to render
a garden at once beautiful and habitable; and the
extent to which this may be done can be realised,
in a measure, by studying the kind of American
gardens which are here illustrated. But the
charm of a garden depends so much upon its
colour, its wealth of well-disposed greenery and
brilliant blossom, that no photograph, however suc-
cessful, is able to suggest the fulness of its beauty.
Garden architects are, perhaps, rather prone to
imitate old Italian shapes and ornament in garden
furniture. However good and appropriate they may
have been in Italy in the past, it is not desirable to see
them slavishly copiedin other countries to-day. There
are many designers, both in Europe and America, who
are capable of imparting the necessary modern expres-
sion and individuality to the accessories of a garden.
123