ee 



IRISH GARDENING. 



MAY 



land, then it actually rose into the clouds — 

 smoke-like clouds — through which it seemed to 

 pass in and out. A most extraordinary case of 

 the Flying- Dutchman ! We watched it for 

 nearly an hour, and as the sun gained power 

 the mirage sank till the whole picture regained 

 its normal river bed. The ship may have been 

 behind the island, I do not know, but we had 

 terrible weather for a week after. My river 

 talk must stop a while, and I give place to my 

 betters. 



The Herbaceous Border. 



By L. B. M. 



IX the herbaceous border there is much scope for 

 the taste and skill of the gardener -with few- 

 rest rictioiis- also a fine return for a not very con- 

 siderable outla}* t:>i time and money ; hence, it is 

 perhaps the most popular of all forms of gardening. 

 The cottager can indulge in it as well as the man of 

 means, and, indeed, often makes a much better use of 

 the material at hand. Flowers seem to respond to in- 

 dividual and loving care, and to know what is expected 

 of them, and the old cottager's lilies and pansies are 

 often finer than those displayed in the rich man's 

 garden. 



If you s:,l:^ the right way about it you will have endless 

 beauty and enjoyment out of this herbaceous border of 

 yours, but to gain these desired results the preparation 

 must be thorough. The border ma\- skirt a wide sweep 

 of lawn — and nowhere will it look better— or edge a 

 drive or wide path on one or both sides, and, if possible, 

 have a southern or western aspect. Four feet will be 

 narrow enough, wider if the surroundings will allow-, 

 and see that no all-devouring hedge is close behind it 

 whose roots will absorb the nourishment intended for 

 }Our plants, and starve them out of existence, though 

 a hedge at a safe distance will make a fine background. 



It may be taken for granted that the ground is well 

 drained and deeply dug, a liberal allowance of manure 

 worked in some time previous to planting, and if the 

 soil is at all heavy the addition of sand or road grit will 

 bring it into proper condition. A well made border 

 ought to require little attention for two or three years 

 beyond keeping the weeds down and occasional mulch- 

 ing, keeping the flowers in bounds, and division made 

 when necessary. The flowers will only thank you for 

 leaving them pretty much to themselves when thev are 

 safely ensconced in their permanent quarters. 



Indeed, I would saj- that the first preparation — at least 

 for a novice— ought to be in summer, when a close 

 acquaintance can be made with the flowers when in 

 bloom and references stored up against the planting 

 time. Then there will be no placing side by side C'i 

 mortal enemies, whom you can almost hear calling 

 names at each other when this one flaunts its scarlet 

 blossoms in the purple face of its neighbour, or that tall 

 giant stretches out spiny arms and scratches the face of 

 the brilliant little beaut}' who deserves a more congenial 

 companion. So study your flowers while you may that 



there may be no wralh and confusion afterwards in vour 

 border. 



At the back the taller plants will be placed, but not in 

 formal lines, and good, strong clumps if possible— giving 

 room for each to increase. F'or June blooming the tall, 

 blue delphinium is well able to look over the heads of its 

 companions, and verbascum will make a stalely com- 

 panion, its yellow flowers looking well with the blue. 

 -And here it may be remarked that scarlet and crimson 

 must never be allowed to come in contact ; crimson and 

 pink may accord, but scarlet and crimson or magenta 

 never. Indeed, magenta is a colour to be avoided as 

 much as possible. If you are a woman study the colours 

 of your flowers as you do your hats and gowns, and the 

 result will repay vou. 



One part of the border may be entirely diff'erent from 

 the other, though clumps of the same plant can be re- 

 peated where the colours may be necessarj-. 



But there are other things to consider besides harmon)- 

 of colour. There must be no large, bloomless spots in 

 the border, at least not for long, so just here beside the 



aelphinium and verbascum, a gaudy late phlox — Etna 



will be planted, and the white anemone Japonica, to keep 

 up the bloom in August, while nearer the front the fragrant 

 yellow and orange day lilies and double white rockets 

 will find a place for July blooming. Continuing near the 

 back a late mauve perennial aster, with pink hollyhock 

 and ervngium near, not forgetting a tall border 

 geranium and white Chrysanthemum maximum, and for 

 companions the flaming oriental poppies and white cam- 

 panulas to soften their glow. 



In roomy spaces plant freely the white and yellow 

 tree lupins, which deserve a whole month to them- 

 selves to bloom without a rival, so fine are they. 



A judicious use of bulbs will add much to the beauty 

 of the scheme — groups of tulips near the front to make 

 bright spots in May and irises in June, Lilium candidum 

 to rear its stately head above the rest in Jul}-, while 

 gladioli will carr\- on the bloom till October. The groups 

 of bulbs ought to be marked, so that no ruthless spade 

 may come their way when they are wholly underground. 

 Continuing, the taller plants of Rudbcckia Xe'<t.'manit 

 will bloom late and well with varied phloxes and pcnt- 

 stemons of vivid hues, while galegas, spira;as, erigerons 

 and pyrethrums blooming in July, and of medium height, 

 can be planted near such April and May flowers as 

 dielytra, doronicum, trollius, &c. The scarlet lychnis 

 and white achillea will accord well together, and farther 

 down the border the intense blue of Anchusa ilalica 

 shows well beside pink border geraniums and holly- 

 hocks, and the light blue scabiouses provide colour when 

 aquligias and campanulas have shed their beauty. 



A free use should be made of the early flowering 

 chrysanthemums which will bloom on till October, as 

 will also the rich, hued dahlias and monlbretias. 

 Foliage plants may here and there find a place, but 

 not too man}- ; they may sometimes serve to separate 

 doubtful neighbours. The handsome hardy draca?na or 

 noble yucca, where space permits, or even the fragrant 

 rosemary or lavender, will vary the general eff'ect. 



The perennial centaureas oi the Montana t^-pe have 

 been omitted, as they are the most assertive and 

 troublesome of plants, and if in a weak moment you 

 allow them a place in your garden they will march their 



