Character is the most elusive quality of all those with which we deal. Almost all writers on gardening have talked more or less of character, but classified it as a quality, never really approaching a definition or an explanation.

Thomas Heatley did, in fact, introduce a chapter "Of Character" into his remarkably clear analytical outline, but the chapter subject was quite different from what is discussed here. In an attempt to define the term , it must be said that this article deals with the more delicate distinction of the word "character", in the sense that "character" may differentiate one composition from another, even though they are the same general style.

We understand clearly what is meant by character in a human being. Just try to transfer this same notion to use in the descriptions of gardens. It is a common thing to say that somebody you just met seems friendly, but they lack personality, or character. It is perfectly conceivable that a garden might be faultless in the unity and the harmony of its appointments, with everything beautiful and appropriate throughout, and yet lack character.

In other words, you could say that character is the personal signature of the designer. You would probably never expect a poem of pure and lofty character to flow from a wicked heart, and you would not expect a painting of great power to originate in a dull, insensitive mind. No more would you expect to see vigor and dignity displayed in a garden designed by a weak and puerile author. There is a close connection of character in a garden with the character of its designer.

It is easy to confuse the term "character" with "style", because in literature, "style" describes the same basic concept . For example, you would expect the style of H. L. Mencken to be his own and to be distinctly and always different from the style of John Burroughs.

Unfortunately the word "style" is already used in landscape gardening to describe an influence, like a Japanese style garden. The personal quality which makes style in literature is synonymous with character in gardening.

There are some simple ways to add a certain amount of character to a garden. Old world wall fountains work quite well for somebody who favors the European style.

Certain terms are commonly associated in criticism of gardens, such as simplicity, dignity, and boldness. These words can be taken to represent different types of character. This is the use commonly made by those who apply them to art compositions, even though those who use them have never stopped to generalize under any common term the qualities expressed.

These terms (simplicity, dignity, and boldness) are suggestive of certain characteristics. Of course there are many more words used, this list is by no means complete. You can't describe everybody with three words; there is an indefinite variety of character. The opposites of these words can also be used; complexity, lowliness, and timidity.

Elaborateness might be a better word than complexity as a term for a more careful classification. It might be more difficult to choose between the terms propriety and appropriateness, though. The latter is the more explicit in its suggestions, but the former has the advantage of brevity and of good associations.

You would use the term propriety in regards to the gardener's work in same way that we would wonder whether some social gathering is marked by strict propriety. It must be said that such criticism is sorely needed. Many gardeners, even those of some reputation, don't seem to realize that a question of propriety can be applied to landscaping.

Our American cemeteries are often striking exemplifications of this statement. In such a solemn setting, we continually see objects of childish conception, such incongruous effect and tacky colors that grate on the nerves. Much has been said and written on the subject of cemetery ornamentation. Hopefully this means we are finally heading in the right direction, in this respect.