Lily Tanks

The work of the garden architect is generally condemned by lovers of the simpler and more natural forms of plant arrangement. In a climate such as ours the use of too much stonework in the shape of statuary, fountains, vases and balustrading has little to recommend it. But if the designer will give us tanks and sunk basins, in which to grow Lilies and other plants, we cannot feel too grateful. Were it not for tanks, water gardening would be impossible for the many whose grounds do not contain natural ponds or streams.

In designing tanks the first thought should be to ensure the utmost simplicity, both in the surroundings and in whatever architectural work may be necessary.

In the old gardens of Italy the excessive use of stone work is justified, not only on account of its suitability to the climate and way of living, but because the designs were almost invariably good and pure.

The shape of garden tanks will necessarily be deter­mined by the situation for which they are designed. Speaking generally, however, the more severe their outline, the better.

Nothing can exceed in suitability a rectangular basin, with a broad coping of wrought stone, set in a framework of turf. If the pool is in view of the   house, it may be necessary to slightly amplify the design, so that it may not appear inharmonious with the lines of the building.

A good effect may be obtained by forming the ends into the shape of a Moorish arch, the bays being deeply recessed. So long as the outline is bold and dignified, enabling the eye to grasp the whole scheme at a glance, a satisfactory appearance is practically certain. It is the scalloped edges, the sinuous curves and raised parapets, that disfigure so many of the creations of the garden architect.

Garden tanks are often set in dreary expanses of graveled walk, or at the meeting of several pathways. Many of these are in kitchen gardens, and have formerly served the useful purpose of supplying soft water for greenhouses and vegetables generally. The worst of these places is that there is no possible inducement to remain for more than a minute or so.

An ideal position for the simplest form of garden tank would be the centre of a rectangular court, a brick or stone walled enclosure with a doorway at either end. Here would be assured a degree of warmth and shelter that would make it a pleasant spot for reading or work­ing, even in the early days of the year.

A grass margin would fittingly surround the flat kerb, whilst clumps of Irises, Shrubby Spiraeas, Cannas, Paeonies, Funkias, Lilies, and bold foliage plants, could be grouped in masses behind. On the wall, what opportunities for growing some of the handsome forms of Clematis, Magnolia, Roses, and sweet scented Jasmine! Truly beautiful would be this garden picture when the surface of the pool scintillated with the jeweled forms of the hybrid Nymphaeas - ruby, topaz and silver.

It is a common idea that tanks must be built of con­siderable depth, and that unless protected by a low wall or parapet they are dangerous. For this   reason hundreds of garden pools have been emptied and filled in with soil. Only in exceptional cases is it necessary for the tank to be more than two and a half or three feet deep, this being ample for the class of plants that will find a home there.

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>