ESCAPED FROM GARDENS 73 



When we have wandered over other hills and 

 lingered about other old gardens, in late July the 

 Lilac House calls us back again, for then when the 

 grape-vines, clinging to the fence -pickets, have shed 

 their spicy flowers, Bouncing Betsy comes out by 

 the gateway and, rollicking to the roadside, quite 

 fills the little corner with the fragrance of her 

 wholesome pink-white flowers, with odor sugges- 

 tive of Sweet William and border Pinks, to whose 

 tribe Bet belongs. 



Of all the herbaceous plants that have escaped 

 from gardens, Bouncing Betsy is the most con- 

 spicuously vigorous colonist. Free from bad habits, 

 she is sure of a welcome everywhere, whether she 

 yields single pink-like blossoms, or in a fit of un- 

 explainable generosity gives double flowers. 



"Escaped from gardens" is a term that covers 

 many vines and bulbous growths, as well as border 

 plants and pot herbs. As for the latter, you can- 

 not walk a hundred yards across a low meadow or 

 by an untrimmed road or lane, without having some 

 one of their pungent odors rise from under foot. 

 The simple leaves, squared stalk, lipped flowers, 

 and aromatic scent are guide posts to the tribe of 

 Mints, and though but half a dozen, like Bee 

 Balm, Bergamot, etc., have color sufficient to make 



