FLOWERS OF THE ROADSIDES AND HEDGES _ 127 
hedge bottom, its fragrant foliage scenting the whole roadway from 
side to side. Spindle-tree serves the gipsy many a good turn, as he cuts 
from the hedge skewers he can hawk for sale. Side by side with the 
latter grows the Sloe, which adorns the whole countryside in white festal 
array, its flowers being in bloom in the hedgerows before the leaves. 
Rambling over the hawthorn hedges Tufted Vetch makes handsome 
bright-hued tufts along every country lane, and in wet hollows or in 
the shallow ditch bottom. The Yellow Vetchling lends another (yellow 
tint) to the assemblage of wayside flowers. The Bramble forms a fine 
nesting-place for White-throat and Blackcap, lining many a hedgerow 
with pink or white blossoms arranged in handsome panicles. 
Along the gritty border of the macadam the silvery foliage of the 
Silverweed forms a fine fringe enriched by pale golden blooms. Close 
by the Barren Strawberry opens its numerous white blossoms which 
mature no ruddy fruit. In the hedge and in arching clumps by the 
way the Dog Rose gladdens the heart of many a weary traveller on a 
hot June or July day with its rose-tinted or waxen-white petals, while 
earlier, too, the Crab Apple in flower is a delightful picture in the 
hedgerow or copse. Everywhere the road is tinted with budding May 
in early summer, making the air heavy with its almost narcotic scent. 
The Bryony curls in graceful disorder over the layered hedge. With 
spotted stem and fetid stench Hemlock warns the wayside beast not to 
touch it. Under the hedgerow the Hedge-parsley with rigid stem lines 
the roadway as some sentinel. Cornel red-stemmed, and gay with 
white bloom, and Elder vary the monotony of the Whitethorn hedge. 
Underneath in the shade a faint smell of musk betrays the little 
Moschatel. Teasel with its pitcher-like leaf-bases is fond of this 
habitat by the hedge side. 
The diminutive blooms of Nipplewort peep out from the hedge 
where the Ash affords ample shelter for the passer-by. Great Hedge 
Bindweed with its handsome, white, trumpet-like blooms encompasses 
the hedgerow far and wide. The sward is scattered up and down with 
Red Bartsia sponging on the grass roots. 
Ground Ivy carpets the hedgebanks, and White or Blue Bugle is 
rampant in the moist hollows. Spurge Laurel grows in the hedge. 
The Nettles endeavour to drive all else out of the ditches. The tall 
Elm throws a wide shade across the road where Black Bryony clambers 
up the hedge, and in autumn the scarlet berries lend rich colour to the 
hedge side, as do those of the Cuckoo Pint in earlier months. 
