JUNE 103 



the heights of the rock-garden, than in its 

 lower ranges ! There is mesembryanthemum 

 and painted portulaca, a coral schizostylis, 

 a yellow sysirinchium, and the stonecrops 

 are coming into bloom. The artichoke 

 rears itself grandly, almost like some grey- 

 leaved giant fern, on the top ridge of rock, 

 casting a great shadow across the stones. 



A broad border screened from a stray 

 bit of kitchen garden by a battlemented 

 arbor- vitae hedge has been divided into 

 large squares of favourite plants. There is 

 a square of ranunculus, and this is a dis- 

 appointment. I believe the flower resents 

 its removal from the old place under the 

 south wall. Our ranunculus used to be 

 small fireballs of vermillion and gold. Then 

 there is a square of yellow sweet sultan, 

 and with it a lovely lily with sea-green 

 silvery leaves. Pancratium maritimum is 

 the right name, I believe, but I prefer to 

 call it a Star Lily. There are carnations, 

 and then most delicately beautiful Spanish 

 iris; a large flowered variety. The last 

 square in the border is a blue mass of 

 anchusa, not Italica, but the native wild sort. 



