M&rch 2S. 1M7 



HORTICULTURE, 



371 



The Pergola in English Gardens 



The pergola, 

 that until a few 

 years ago was as- 

 sociated in the 

 minds of most 

 with a garden iri 

 sunny Italy, 

 where the vines 

 that clothe its 

 pillars are laden 

 with luscious 

 grapes in their 

 season and the 

 roses that deck 

 its masonry bloom 

 the winter 

 through, filling 

 the garden with 

 rich color, and 

 lading the soft 

 breez.es with scent, is now an institution in English 

 gardens throughout the length and breadth of the land. 

 In this country, however, the term pergola is applied to 

 structures that in the land which is its home would hard- 

 ly be tolerated. The possessor of a garden, no matter 

 how small it is, is almost ceiiain, sooner or later, to 

 span a walk with a series of arches of larch or oak or 

 possibly some far less satisfactory sort of wood and im- 

 mediately upon the conclusion of the work will dub it 

 "pergola." 



But how different a thing this is from the Italian 

 pergola with square pillars of solid masonry and a roof 

 of stout oak beams, where the planting is done with a 

 light hand that the beauty of the pergola itself may 

 not be hidden. There are of course some fine examples 

 of the Italian pergola in this country and planted with a 

 proper knowledge of how the work should be done. The 

 accompanying illustration gives an excellent idea of 

 the pergola as it is constructed in most English gar- 

 dens today. It is, of course, far less expensive when 

 made of wood than when built of stone and when stout 

 poles are used and carefully arranged the pergola, while 

 not such a noble and dignified structure as the word 

 was formerly understood to designate, is infinitely su- 

 perior to those pieces of arches, sometimes built of 

 flimsy wood, sometimes of iron uprights connected by 

 chains which are frequently to be seen in English gar- 

 dens. Made of stout posts of larch or oak, and strongly 

 built as shown in the photograph, a pergola will last for 

 years and never looks paltry. There is no doubt that it 

 is in this form that the pergola will be found in most 

 English gardens of the future. The paved path be- 

 neath, fringed on either side by a narrow verge of 

 grass, with a border behind this in which lavender, 

 rosemary and other old-fashioned plants are growing, 

 gives an additional charm to the scene. This paved 



path oifers a 

 splendid opportu' 

 nity for growing 

 miniature plants 

 in the cracks be-- 

 tween the stones, 

 if, as should be 

 the case, the path 

 is laid without 

 the use of cement. 

 The violet cress 

 (lonopsidium 

 acaule) is a 

 charming little 

 annual suitable 

 for this purpose. 

 In most Eng- 

 lish gardens the 

 pergola is given 

 up chiefly to the 

 many beautiful varieties of the rose now to be 

 had, but the one shown in the illustration was 

 planted differently. Some of tl;e handsome large-leaved 

 vines, such as Vitis Coignetiae and others, the purple 

 flowered Clematis Jackmanni (still in lovely bloom 

 where the vines take on their rich autumnal color), 

 honeysuckle. Polygonum Baldschuanieum and other 

 climbing plants were used. Hollyhocks are shown in 

 the border beneath and these stately plants are quite 

 suitable for this position, although not nearly so beau- 

 tiful as the Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) which is 

 a feature beneath the pergolas in some Italian gardens, 

 and make? an exceptionally charming picture. 



/jfrCUXi^ n- /H.<r^^KA f 



MONTH OF GIFTS AND HOPE. 



The stormy March is come at last. 

 With wind, and cloud, and chan^ng skies, 



I hear the rushing of the blast 

 That through the snowy valley flies. 



Ah, passing few are they who speak. 

 Wild, stormy month! in praise of thee! 



Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak. 

 Thou art a welcome month to me. 



For thou to northern lands again 

 The glad and glorious sun dost bring. 



And thou hast join'd the gentle train. 

 And wear'st the gentle name of Spring. 



And in thy reign of blast and storm 

 Smiles many a long bright sunny day, 



When the changed winds are soft and warm. 

 And heaven puts on the blue of May. 



Then sing along the gushing rills. 

 And the full springs, from frost set free. 



That brightly leaping down the hills, 

 Are just set out to meet the sea. 



Thou bring'st the hope of those calm skies. 

 And that soft time of sunny showers. 



When the wide bloom on earth that lies 

 Seems of a brighter world than ours. 



William Cutlen Bryant. 



