124 A JULY BOUQUET. 



With regard to the arrangement of an avenue of climbers, we would suggest 

 that those which are chiefly remarkable for their foliage should alternate with the 

 species possessing conspicuous flowers. Tbe mode of training is too simple to need 

 any detailed explanation. In the case of a single arch, nothing more is necessary 

 than a stout iron rod, of sufficient length that, when fixed, the top of the arch will 

 be from seven to eight feet from the ground ; the two extremities of the rod being 

 each secured to a square block of wood, partially buried in the ground, and charred 

 outside to prevent decay. A series of these arches can be easily converted into an 

 arcade by attaching horizontal rods, or a net-work of wire ; and in whatever way 

 they are combined, a coating of paint will be desirable on the score of preservation. 



Not only may every path be thus converted into a ' hanging garden,' but even 

 the beds may have occasionally their attractions enhanced by a union of the per- 

 pendicular, with the ordinary style of gardening. 



A JULY BOUQUET 



The heavy rains of the past month have heen so peculiarly unfavourable to the growth and 

 expansion of the flowers of the bedding plants, that it is again to the permanent occupants of the 

 mixed border that we have been chiefly indebted for our floral display. "We are by no means sure, 

 indeed, that, under any circumstances, our Bouquet of Hardy July Plants would not have borne away 

 the palm from those of a more tender character, of which our readers will be able to judge from the 

 gleanings we propose to lay beforethem. 



We cannot boast this month of a Wistaria or a Clianlhus, but among the shrubs are a few subjects 

 scarcely inferior to these. The beautiful Escallonia macrantha must, perhaps, take precedence of all 

 others, and of this we can only repeat here, with especial emphasis, the consecrated formula that 

 ' no garden should be without it.' Its blooming season is, however, by no means limited to July, 

 for it not unfrequently commences flowering in June, and continues iu blossom through the summer. 

 Hardy, cheap, and highly ornamental, what more could the amateur desire ? Two species of 

 Andromeda have been conspicuous objects for several weeks past, from their numerous racemes of 

 wax-like blossoms of the purest white, — the A. speciosa and the A. ptilvcrulenta, the last with 

 leaves covered on their under side with a white bloom. They are both gems of the first water, and 

 perfectly hardy, though we observe they are classed as greenhouse species in a modern Dictionary of 

 Plants. The Spiraea Douglassii and 8. venusta have contributed their numerous heads of pretty 

 rosy-purple flowers, and the former will apparently remain in bloom a month longer at least ; the 

 elegant S. ariafolia, with its large plume-like mass of whitish blossoms, has proved even more 

 attractive. The Lcyecsteria formosa, though less showy than any of the preceding, has, neverthe- 

 less, claims of its own which make it a favourite with most persons ; its habit is very graceful, and 

 the purple berries, by which its neat white flowers are succeeded, prolong its attractions until a late 

 period of the summer. 



It is, however, among the herbaceous plants that we shall find the most prodigal display of 

 beauty. As a little known, but highly ornamental hardy subject, we will notice first the Sorminum 



