238 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



together, the soil is often stony and rocky, the growth is slower, 

 and the trees take a firmer hold, whereas in our river valleys, where 

 the Lebanon Cedar is often planted in an isolated way, the growth 

 is softer and the resistance to wind less, and a more artistic and 

 natural way of planting would lessen the accidents to which this 

 noblest of evergreen trees is exposed. 



Few countries are so rich in the means of shelter as our own, 

 owing to the evergreens that grow freely with us and thrive in 



seashore and wind-swept districts. Shelter may 



Shelter and wind be near flower-beds and distant or wind-breaks,. 



screens. across the line of prevailing winds, and the north 



and east winds, and may be of Yew, Holly, 

 Cedar of Lebanon (never Deodar), native Fir, a few other hardy 

 Firs, and the Ilex. 



In old times shelter was often obtained from clipped hedges of 

 Yews and Limes, but the fine evergreen shrubs we now possess make 

 it more easy and effective to use naturally grown shrubs ; these soften 

 the wind better than clipped lines, while often themselves beautiful 

 in leaf and bloom. There is, indeed, in gardens the danger of planting 

 too densely at first, so that after some years the place becomes dank 

 and the very house itself is made cheerless. The pretty young conifers 

 planted are not thought of as forest trees, and parts which should be 

 in the sun are gradually overshadowed a great mistake in a climate 

 like ours. 



Among the kinds of shelter, walls, thickly clad with climbers, 

 evergreens and others, are often the best for close garden work, 

 because they do not rob the ground, as almost any evergreen tree 

 will ; and in doing their work, they themselves may bear many of 

 our most beautiful flowers. Half-hardy evergreens, like the common 

 Cherry Laurel and Portugal Laurel, should never be planted to 

 shelter the garden, because they may get cut down in hard winters. 

 Happily, even in the most exposed places, a good many hardy 

 flowers may be grown with success, such as Carnations, Pinks, and 

 many rock plants which lie close to the ground, and are therefore 

 little exposed to wind, and thrive in exposed places where soil and 

 cultivation are not against them. English gardens are often well 

 sheltered by the house itself and by old walls and enclosures, so 

 that in old gardens it is easy to secure shelter for plants. 



Some are doubtful of planting near the sea, considering the bleak 

 look of things and the cutting winds. Yet even in places where the 



few trees that are planted are cut sharp off by the 



Planting near the sea wind above the walls, as in Anglesea, we may 



sea. see how soon good planting will get over difficulties 



that seem insurmountable. By the use near the 



