154 THE FLORIST. 



the garden to the west. This wall is built hollow, and is heated by 

 hot-water pipes ; the west side is covered with greenhouse and half- 

 hardy climbing plants, which have the protection of glass during winter; 

 the plants grow with great luxuriance, and bloom profusely in the 

 summer months, when the glass is removed! On the garden side plants 

 of a more hardy nature, including Roses, &c., are planted ; and the 

 border at the base contains many interesting half-hardy plants. 



The four divisions of the fountain garden are each planted in six 

 colours, with white to begin and finish with. Each division has 

 its separate plants, but the colour and height of each are the same. 

 Commencing with the centre it is white, which is continued all round 

 through the four divisions ; next purple, yellow, scarlet, blue, pink ; 

 and lastly, white again, at the outside. This arrangement takes up a 

 vast numljer and variety of plants, as the height and habit have to be 

 studied, as well as the colour of each ; but the arrangement, when well 

 done, is unique and very pleasing. 



Beyond the fountain garden are some beds on gravel, with raised 

 stone edgings, and planted with mixed colours ; amongst others, the 

 shot-silk bed our esteemed friend Mr. Beaton speaks so much of, is very 

 conspicuous : its composition — variegated-leaved Geraniums, mixed with 

 Verbena venosa, or any light-purple variety — is now well known. 



Below these beds is the Rosery, which contains a very choice 

 collection of summer Roses. The climbing varieties are trained to a 

 fancy iron trellis, which forms bowers over the walks. A circular bed 

 in the centre is in the form of the heraldic York and Lancaster Rose, 

 with red and white Roses and a yellow centre bed. 



Towards the southern extremity of the grounds is an exceedingly 

 characteristic Swiss cottage, with the accompaniments faithfully carried 

 out. It contains a museum of curiosities collected by Sir William 

 Middleton, and among other things, some interesting relics of Napoleon 

 the First, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson, &c. 



At a short distance from the Swiss cottage is the Verbena garden, in 

 which are planted those kinds not used in other arrangements. By 

 this garden is the Box terrace, forming a beautiful scroll pattern laid 

 down on a smooth surface of fine sand of a reddish tint, completely in 

 the parterre style of the French. The interior is planted with very 

 dwarf flowers — as Silene Schafti, dwarf French Marygold, Lobelia 

 ramosa, &c. 



The whole of the retaining and dividing wall is surmounted with 

 rich balustrading, in the same style as the mansion, pavilion, and loggia, 

 all of which are from the designs of Sir C. Barry. Hence, there is a 

 harmony and unisow between the several parts rarely met with, which 

 does credit to the admirable taste and judgment of Sir William 

 Middleton. In addition to the Italian features of the entire place, a 

 great number of busts, vases, and statues are disposed throughout the 

 grounds in appropriate positions. These greatly assist in forming the 

 peculiar tone of Italian scenery so characteristic of Shrubland. 



Mr. Foggo, the present head-gardener, iniorms us that 80,000 

 plants of Geraniums, Verbenas, Petunias, Lobelias, &c., &:c.,are amiually 

 required for turning out into the numerous beds, borders, vases, &c.. 



