10
Plant a Picture Garden
I do not guide my life With firm and brain restricted hand, And now and then in my wanderings I reach the shores of Fairyland.
REBECCA MC CANNThe art of landscaping is basically similar to that of painting or photography. In some ways it may be even more basic because the garden we create might become the subject of a painting or photograph. Keep this thought in mind when you create your picture garden.
A picture garden can be a single beautifully grown specimen or a group of artistically arranged plants. For centuries the Japanese have excelled in the art of creating little picture gardens by carefully training and dwarfing many kinds of plants. But miniature roses come ready-made for the -purpose. By choosing selected varieties one may have a garden in a teacup. For several years we had just that a single plant of 'Bit 0' Sunshine' growing in an oldfashioned tin cup.
Miniature roses are pretty when allowed to grow in natural form, but you can obtain spectacular effects when you train, trim, and wire them into artistic shapes. Miniatures live for years if properly cared for. We have a plant of 'Dian' which has grown in a shallow 2 inch deep planter for over eight years. Another plant, Rosa rouletti, has grown in a metal can for twenty-five years.
12. A beautifully proportioned garden of miniature roses. STAR ROSES PHOTO.
Complete gardens of miniature roses can be planted in a few feet of garden space. Such a garden could include a variety of bush forms, miniature climbers on dainty supports and miniature tree roses for special accent. If you like garden frills add small figurines, benches and other accessories. Include small walks for separation and sightseeing.
A picture garden in pink or any other solid color is a pleasant possibility. Start with a redwood tub, plant a pink miniature tree rose, such as 'June Time,' in the center then surround it with low-growing bushes of other pink varieties. Don't be afraid to repeat the same color. A mass of one color makes the garden look as luscious as a beautifully iced angel food cake.
Figure 14. Right: Miniature roses may be trained in the bonsai manner
Where space permits, a mound of several plants of 'Pink Cameo' presents a lovely picture. A planting of several of these climbers spaced three to four feet apart against a wood panel fence makes a beautiful backdrop for a foreground planting of low-growing miniatures.
A corner of your garden, a raised bed, a pyramid planting or a strawberry jar can be changed into imaginative picture gardens.
Plant some miniatures in a lawn area where the grass will serve as a green carpet to enhance your garden picture. If overwatering might be a problem raise the rose-growing area slightly above the grass level. In other cases it will be best to' have your bed level with or even lower than the grass or path. It's a good idea to cover the soil with a mulch, not just for looks but to help retain moisture and minimize the weed problem.
A rock garden, even a little nook, offers great possibilities for picture gardening. Where natural rocks are available use them as a foundation. Rocks collected from your travels give added appeal and interest. If no rocks are easily available you can still enjoy the rock garden look by using light weight volcanic rock, sometimes sold as Feather Rock. This interesting material can be purchased in various sizes and shapes at local nurseries.
If you have trouble with dogs digging out your little roses from any of your gardens, place rocks or bricks around the base of plants. Rocks will act as a moisture-retaining mulch, discourage digging and may add to the attractiveness of your picture garden.
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