IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



of petaloids in lemon-yellow), Miss Salway, and Elegans 

 superbissima are also tufted and indescribably beautiful ; 

 and amongst the new Imperial paeonies, semi-double, with 

 a central tuft of golden petaloids, the pure white Queen 

 Alexandra is conspicuously lovely. These flowers remind 

 one of a water-lily ; they have broad, shell-like outer petals, 

 and the colours are most delicate, the magenta tint of the 

 original double paeony having been carefully eradicated in 

 favour of coral and salmon shades. The single pasonies are 

 more like gigantic wild roses, especially Pink Domino, in 

 shell-pink ; Lady Helen Vincent, blush-rose ; and Countess 

 Cadogan, in flesh-pink. These flowers, cut with long stems 

 and strongly wired, are remarkably handsome for a large 

 bouquet, standing in the hall, or the summer fireplace ; in 

 fact, whether in the garden or the house, they are most deco- 

 rative, and no garden should be without a few of them. 



Standing well behind the paeonies are the stately blue 

 delphiniums, contrasting their many shades of azure, tur- 

 quoise, and royal blue delightfully with the warm colours of 

 the paeonies. These plants, like most of the herbaceous 

 things, do best in a rich, strong soil, where they can throw 

 their roots deeply down, and so be independent of drought. 

 Once planted, they should be left alone to form great masses 

 of colour ; for the plan of constantly digging up herbaceous 

 plants and dividing their roots is a mistake, except in the 

 case of a few rampant growers, such as the perennial asters 

 (Michaelmas daisies) and the helianthuses, which always 

 invade their neighbours' territory, if allowed to do so. But 

 a mulch of rich soil laid around the plants in the spring will 

 prevent them from becoming exhausted ; and if this has not 

 already been done, no time should be lost in attending to it, 

 for next year's display of bloom depends greatly upon the 

 state of the plants during the present season. 



Tall white and spotted foxgloves (Digitalis alba and D. 

 maculata), with the new hybrid in pale primrose-yellow, 

 group well with the rest at the back of the border, especially 

 where there is a background of foliage or an old brick wall. 

 Nearer the centre of the broad border grow masses of 



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