GARDENING IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS – Dividing the country roughly into sections that seem to have certain distinguishing characteristics that influence garden types and methods, this article deals briefly with the following: CaliforniaFlorida – the Mississippi Valley – the Mountain States Region – New England – the Northern Region – the Pacific Northwest – the Southeastern Section – the Southwestern Section, in that order.
CALIFORNIA
Two seasons instead of four are a distinguishing climatic feature that directly influences gardening in this State. The rainy season extends from October to May; the dry one covers the balance of the year. This makes autumn comparable to spring elsewhere as regards favorable planting and sowing conditions, and the Calif. spring a poor time, especially for planting. Extremes of heat and cold which the length of the State (nearly 800 miles from North to South) would seem to imply, arc surprisingly equalized by moist winds from the Pacific ; also by the mountain ranges, which constitute roughly half the area. Thus the average temperature variation between North and South in the coastal regions is only about 12 deg. F. The interior of the State is much warmer than the coast, as the mountains cut off the ocean winds, yet the temperature is similarly equalized so that here, too, North and South have about the same amount of heat. In other words, throughout the State it is not latitude that counts so much as distance from the ocean.
These conditions, plus low humidity during the heat of summer, make plant material of widely different kinds useful in places not far apart. Hence probably a greater variety of plants can be grown in Calif. than in any equal area elsewhere in the world. This seeming advantage horticulturally has led to an extravagant use of exotics from every warm region of the world, to the consequent neglect of fine native material. As most of these exotics require copious watering during the long dry season, it is impossible to combine them with the drought-resisting native plants, which, therefore are simply left out of many gardens. However, a strong corrective influence is beginning to assert itself through the splendid Blakesley Botanic Garden at Santa Barbara, where only native material, handled to show what its possibilities are in the garden as well as in the landscape, is grown. As a result more new gardens, like the best of the older ones, show a combination of native plants with exotics from regions of similar climatic conditions.
As the garden has no season of real rest, gardeners have no season of idleness. They must have plant material in shape to produce bloom throughout the year. This demands careful planning and vigorous execution of plans. The best authorities advise disregarding such distinctions as “annual” and “perennial” among flowers and using both according to their bloom only, accompanying them with early- and summer-flowering bulbs.
Mr. Sidney Mitchell has pointed out (“Gardening in California”) that in northern Calif. (and northward to Vancouver Is.) the climate resembles that of South England and Ireland; while from the central part southward it repeats conditions of the Riviera, Italy, North Africa and Madeira. The vegetation that characterizes those regions does extremely well in the corresponding regions of Calif. and the similarity of climate to that of South Africa and parts of Australia explains the success of the Cape bulbs (which see) and of many Australian shrubs and vines and trees. Of the latter, the eucalyptus is now so abundant as to seem native.
FLORIDA
Variability of climate and of rainfall (which, however, is generally heavy), characterizes this peninsula thrust between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Rain is unevenly distributed also throughout the season, and occasionally over periods of several years. Normally it is dry, or comparatively dry, through the autumn and winter, and especially dry in spring and sometimes well into June; from then on to October come heavy rains, summer being definitely a rainy season.
Plant material from dry climates cannot be expected to succeed under these circumstances and is rarely used except in isolated places where the adverse conditions are modified by purely local influences. In many places it is almost a necessity to provide drainage in the garden in order to succeed with even the appropriate garden plants. Either open ditches or deep ditches filled to within 20 in. of the surface with loose stones covered with straw over which the earth is leveled, are considered better than tile drains. The depth of ditch is determined by the level at which it is desired to maintain the water table; this is usually from 36 to 40 in. below the surface.
Variations of temperature are often extreme; as wide a range as 60 deg. is sometimes recorded within a 10 day period in spring. This may be fatal to that class of plants which respond quickly to spring warmth; beginning to grow prematurely, they are often caught by subsequent cold spells. Hence only plant material that remains dormant until the weather has “settled,” can be relied on.
Fla. soils are mainly neutral or acid rather than alkaline. But fortunately the chief ornamental plants useful here are acid-loving, notably much of the material from China and Japan, as well as many ornamentals available only as greenhouse material in the N. The addition of lime to the soil is a relatively unknown practice and Mr. H. H. Hume (“Gardening in the Lower South”) warns that it may do more harm than good to practically the entire range of plants in which Fla. gardeners are interested.
Planting of most things is best done in late autumn and winter, or at the season of most complete dormancy in the plant in question. For those that shed their leaves (deciduous kinds), December and January are usually the best season; in the case of broad-leaved evergreens, the work may be done either then or as the rainy season comes on, whichever is most convenient. When moved without balls of earth, broad-leaved evergreens are generally stripped of their leaves. Careful gardeners bind a 1 in. layer of sphagnum moss to the trunks and branches of all transplanted trees and keep it moistened and in place until new growth starts.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Throughout this section the early traditions of a landed aristocracy have left a very definite mark. Dwellers in the country, the rich slave-owning planters who built splendid mansions, also made some of the finest gardens the country has had, and the gardens found there today reveal the same appreciation of stately effect and haughty dignity that distinguished the gardens of long ago.
The short springtime of the upper portion, with correspondingly long hot summer during which rainfall is sometimes very meager, has led to the practice of summer mulching-over the roots of many plants, to protect them from both sun and wind. Farther southward, vegetation grows more luxuriant as the soil grows heavier and more acid, until, approaching the Gulf, subtropical conditions are reached, where, in La. the influence of the early French settlements is seen in both garden design and the use of plant material.
The native material of the entire section is especially rich and useful for ornamental planting, from the varied plants (both woody and herbaceous) of Ky. to the splendid material of the southern portion. Here roses bloom throughout the year; camellias, magnolias, pomegranates, oranges and other citrus fruits are cultivated; and gardens in general are distinguished by that careless opulence expressive of southern climes and subtropical places.
MOUNTAIN STATES SECTION
As is to be expected, all this region is distinguished by that wide divergence in temperatures, rainfall and other climatic conditions that accompany alternating high and low altitudes. The natural conditions are such that land is largely devoted to stock raising, and practically all that is not used for this purpose is agriculturally worked for the commercial growing of grains, fruits and vegetables. Thus there is no reason for the growth of large towns and cities ; and where these do not exist, with their accompanying desire for luxurious living, gardening naturally does not develop to any extent. Except in Colo., therefore, it is hardly to be expected that this section shall have developed a distinguishing type of garden activity.
Nevertheless, much of the fine ornamental tree and shrub material in cultiva. tion comes from that State. And the flora of the entire region is finding its way into cultivation, as the knowledge of plants and their needs grows and the interest in rock gardens and alpines increases and is shared by gardeners throughout the country. So it may be in gardens in other sections that the plant material of this intensely interesting but difficult portion of the United States will be best known. Gardening may never be highly developed here, however keen the interest and enthusiasm of individuals. For notwithstanding the work of these people, it requires more than an occasional fine garden to establish in any given section a truly representative standard.
NEW ENGLAND
In this region gardening enjoys great advantages even though it must contend with some difficulties. The latter are principally concerned with the hardiness of garden material under the somewhat unstable conditions of the New England winter, which goes to extremes but seldom stays there as long as one could wish. Even the hardiest plants cannot endure fickleness of weather beyond a certain point.
It is a particularly happy circumstance for New England gardeners that the Arnold Arboretum at Jamaica Plain, just outside of Boston, has for many years been collecting and testing out the finest exotic material that the world affords. Trees and shrubs that pass this test and go abroad or into gardens as “hardy at the Arboretum” may be used by gardeners throughout New England – save in the most northerly parts – in full reliability regardless of the land of their nativity.
As might be expected, tradition and the example of old gardens exert a strong influence on modern gardening as regards both design and plant materials. Restoration of historic dwellings is now usually accompanied by restoration of their gardens where there are any remaining traces to build on; and the interest which this enterprise always arouses in a community stimulates garden thinking and doing and directs these in the main along the original lines. Thus the flavor of early New England prevails so that most of its gardens express something of the earlier life and its customs.
A further advantage to this close-knit region is the fact that the first great landscape architect of this country, Frederick Law Olmsted, did his greatest work from here, and established the sound principles of the then new art which he represented. In such examples of his genius as the Arnold Arboretum, the parks of Cambridge and Boston, and countless private estates, superlative excellence prevails; and through day-by-day, habitual contact its merits were early recognized. So while it is true that his influence extended across the Continent and to centers of garden interest north and south along the way, it was unquestionably in New England that it first made itself felt in the environment of small and average homes. His declaration, made in reference to his plans for his own first garden, that “the lawn is to be the grand feature of my gardening,” may he taken as a summary of what he taught the average home owner and home gardener – namely, the importance of the openlawn-boundary-frame principle. And this principle is universally applicable.
Gardening in New England today may be said to have been wisely approached and to be wisely carried out, because it is grounded in sound underlying principles absorbed quietly but surely over a period of half a century. The Olmsted influence, supplemented by the work of Prof. Charles Sprague Sargent, first director of the Arnold Arboretum, has developed a rich horticultural consciousness in the region and a profound appreciation of native plants and their possibilities in the garden. Hence there is extensive use of plant material suited to the extremes of the climate rather than reliance upon elaborate winter protection. And native trees and shrubs are extremely popular with gardeners however they may also prize such exotics as are suitable.
NORTHERN REGION
This refers to the Great Lakes territory (except that part adjacent to Lake Erie) and the region in general above 43 deg. of latitude. It includes an isolated bit – the northern plateau – of north-eastern N.Y., practically all of Mich., all of Wis., a strip of Ia., all of Minn. and so westward, until gardening gives way to agriculture and the great plains dominate and in fact are the landscape. Variations in temperature are great and summers are, for the most part, short, although in the immediate region of any large body of water, the rigors of climate are greatly tempered.
Rainfall, upon which the garden development of any region must depend, however important irrigation may be, is notably irregular in N. Y., whereas in Minn. it is not only adequate but evenly distributed throughout the season. Next as an influence upon garden development comes such growth of industrial cities as has occurred during later years in the lower portion of Mich.; for such business growth invariably brings a corresponding growth in fine residence and estate development. It is not surprising, therefore, to find in this region gardens famous everywhere, not only for their extent and fine design but for the variety and excellence of the plant material used. The availability of this wealth of material is partly due to the natural advantages of climate and the great variety of soils; its artistic use and wide appreciation is in part due to the influence upon landscape design emanating from the State University at Ann Arbor where an excellent course in landscape architecture carries on the best traditions of the art.
In general, as in all sections where winters are long and severe and the growing season is correspondingly shortened, the attention of flower lovers and gardeners is concentrated on doing superlatively those things that it is possible to carry through with success; they will tend to disregard the plants which cannot, in the nature of things, yield satisfactory returns. Also as the fruit grown in severe climate is usually finer flavored, of higher quality and more vividly colored, so are the flowers which succeed in these northern regions of exceptional character. Hence gardening has as great rewards for its enthusiastic disciples here as in any other portion of the country. As fruits themselves are important products of the region, the ornamental development of many of this type of plant has been carried to a high degree. The flowering season of such things as hawthorns (Crataegus), crabapples, and related subjects is one of rare and distinguished display, peculiar to gardening throughout this austere and occasionally inhospitable region.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
This entire section is virtually divided into two parts by the Cascade Range of mountains. It may, in consequence, be said to enjoy what amounts to two climates. The great gardening development has occurred on the western side of this range, toward the coast. Here the growing season is characterized by a low rainfall and warm temperature, while winter brings excessive rain, generally cloudy conditions but never extreme cold and rarely wind. Changes in temperature are gradual instead of sudden.
These conditions are most favorable to gardening, especially the cultivation of special things. The roses, both of municipal plantings and of individual gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest, are proverbial for both quantity and quality; with regard to requirements of this flower, the conditions are strikingly similar to those in’ England where tradition has always placed it first.
Passing across the Strait to Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria, this likeness in climate becomes still more marked. The island conditions in themselves insure the same tempering of extremes, while the proximity of the Japan Current acts precisely here as the Gulf Stream acts on the British Isles. As a consequence, throughout the upper portion of the Northwest, gardening has much in common with that in England. The general effect and the broad impression it gives are reminiscent, even though they are never imitative. This is especially true of the fine rock gardens, built on absolutely natural formations, characteristic of the region, and where nothing but a rock garden would be appropriate – or, in some cases, possible.
On both the mainland and Vancouver Island bulb growing is rapidly becoming an industry of great importance and plant material in general is of exceptionally fine quality regardless of species or variety. In addition to the exotic things which thrive here there is native material of great value capable of development (if not already sufficiently perfected) and desirable in garden planting. One of the most delightful of American flowers is the erythronium of this section, which grows in abundance over wide areas.
SOUTHEAST SECTION
From the earliest days of the colonies established here by the British, gardens have flourished and gardening has been an art worthy of attention. Every great plantation developed gardens to accompany the mansion-house as a matter of course; and proprietors were proud to entertain visitors from the motherland across the sea with the same elegant pageant of fine lawns, splendid trees, rare and “outlandish” plants (as they called the more unusual exotics), and elaborately designed parterres as they were accustomed to at home. The plantation home was the rule and cities did not exist throughout this section unit the Spanish influence that came northward from Florida established itself. It is still discernible in such gardens as Charleston and Savannah are noted for.
This overlapping of Mediterranean feeling upon the thought and customs of a wholly different race (which also occurs in the Mississippi Valley) has resulted in what might be called a garden model of great charm. The seclusion which the British required because of their normally exclusive attitude, was required for the actual protection it afforded in the Latin countries. The walls of the Charleston gardens were designed as much to repel invading parties as to afford privacy and elegant seclusion to the household.
It is such things that establish a tradition which inevitably prevails. Here gardens that are hidden away and unsuspected are the consequence of an instinct which derives from this early need for real protection; and gardening is thus a very real and precious home accomplishment, even as music or painting or fine needle-work. It is instinctive in people of this region to know cultivated plants and how to plant and tend them. And from this it is natural for them to enter actively upon organized work designed to promote further the cause of horticulture and gardening and the general beauty of the land. Thus the entire section is energized by a gardening consciousness and enthusiasm that is rooted deep in yesterday though it is a growth of today. The excellent things of gardening then are combined with the excellencies of now with admirable results.
SOUTHWEST SECTION
Differing from all the rest of the country more than any other section, this portion affords unparalleled extremes of arid desert and well-watered mountain lands within short range of each other. New Mexico is considered to he at the very heart of the arid section, yet its climate is rather more temperate than otherwise, owing to the generally high altitude. Temperate region plants do better than those from farther south, while such things as palms are too tender to endure the winter temperature though they grow well during summer.
It is in general the soil that here offers to the gardener the most acute problem. Every possible kind exists, but it is the adobe type which is especially difficult. Gardening must therefore be worked out according to the immediate local conditions in any case. This tends to develop initiative and a high degree of individuality in gardeners, who must devise their own ways for overcoming their own special difficulties.
Perhaps nowhere in the country has the rapid advance of the garden club idea been of greater value than throughout this section. For it brings together, for the benefit of all, the gardeners of each separate and different part; and there is being worked out, through the comparing of results and exchange of experiences, a set of methods which will apply generally where-ever the same conditions occur.
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