IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



humilis, in perfect health, may be distinguished the spread- 

 ing fronds of Woodwardia radicans, a North American fern, 

 which is growing in the trunk of a dead tree fern, from 

 which its splendid fronds droop, each being from 3 feet to 

 5 feet in length, and of a deep rich green. 



The New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is the next plant 

 in the foreground, with another musa behind it, and in the 

 centre (but rather in the background) grows a perfect speci- 

 men of the date palm of the Canary Isles, Phoenix canariensis, 

 which is apparently quite at home here. 



The elegant blue palm, Cocos Australis, too, is in thorough 

 health and vigour, producing many fresh leaves yearly. This 

 is the plant at the left central foreground, with two hand- 

 some specimens of Chamaerops excelsa (the fan palm of the 

 Riviera and Northern Africa) on the left of it. Bambusa 

 metake, a handsome bamboo, which here grows tall and 

 strong, may be seen as partially included in the photograph 

 at the extreme left ; the plant at the opposite point of the 

 picture on the right being a dracaena. 



The belt of firs and other trees behind these tropical 

 plants no doubt helps to shelter them, and beyond is the 

 beautiful Torbay ; but there is no doubt that the special care 

 which they obtain accounts for their singular health 'and 

 luxuriance in our English climate. Even the more delicate 

 Brahaea Roezli glauca (the blue palm of Arizona, Mexico) 

 grows strongly in another part of the grounds, its pale blue 

 silvery leaves being very distinct and handsome. Phoenix 

 sylvestris, 1 2 feet in height, with its feathery foliage, is ' 

 remarkably healthy and handsome here, every leaf being 

 intact ; and Dasylirions (both juncifolium and the dwarfer 

 gracile) are equally robust. These are rare Mexican plants 

 of the lily order, with small white flowers and rush-like 

 foliage, usually grown under glass. 



Many of these plants were obtained from Bordighera four 

 years ago, and each received special care in planting, in some 

 cases the hole required for their roots being excavated to 

 the depth of 5 feet, and filled with good loam, peat, and 

 leaf-mould. April was the month selected for this work, 



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