9 8 EVERSLEY GARDENS 



which I do not (yet?) possess. A corner 

 shrubbery bed was necessary to produce as 

 quickly as possible both effect and shelter, not 

 only from a malicious draught of wind, -but 

 from every one who came to the front door 

 and could espy me at the bottom of the garden 

 whether I was " at home " or not. And in it 

 I planted three Spiraeas, with a few strong 

 growing Roses and Rhododendrons : the ex- 

 quisite $*. Thunbergti) which, as Mr. Waterer 

 truly wrote me word, " is one of the best of 

 them all, for it is beautiful from the time it 

 puts out its very early flowers right up to 

 nearly Christmas ; " the golden - leaved S. 

 opulifolia aurea^ a handsome and vigorous 

 grower which has to be cut back ruthlessly; 

 and S. prunifolia, most engaging of all, with 

 its charming blue-green leaves and clusters of 

 tiny white flowers that make fairy wreaths 

 of each shoot. This was five years ago. 

 The Rhododendrons survive but protest. An 

 Escallonia and shrubby Veronica grow fairly. 

 The Roses struggle gallantly to hold their own, 

 and sometimes succeed ; but Lilies and Mont- 



