My Garden in Spring 



of the curious. It gives me more pleasure to have got 

 together the three distinct forms grey-leaved, golden, 

 and major of Sedunt spathulatum, and to make them 

 share a flat-topped rock with at least six other species 

 of Sedum, than to have the same space monopolised 

 by Sedunt pilosum, new, rare, and lovely though it be. 



Again, Euphorbias are plentiful here, but Zinnias, 

 Clarkias, and bedding Begonias find no welcome, and 

 Gaillardias, Cactus Dahlias, and such plants are few. After 

 such a confession will you care to wander round my 

 garden with me? Will you have enough patience to 

 let me talk of the differences between the blue Wood 

 Anemones of Norway and those of Southern Ireland 

 or Western England and Wales? It is only fair to 

 state that colour scheming is impossible in the circum- 

 stances, and though I have enjoyed having eight fingers 

 and two thumbs in several iridescent pies for other 

 folks' gardens (and some of them have proved " pretty 

 eating," as is said in Ireland and seems to fit the 

 metaphor), except for one effort in grouping coloured 

 foliage with suitable flowers of which I am rather proud, 

 most of my effects, blends, and contrasts have been 

 the result of accident, or rather the placing and grouping 

 of plants in surroundings I hoped would be suitable for 

 their health rather than their appearance. 



I fear I am a little impatient of the school of garden- 

 ing that encourages the selection of plants merely as 

 artistic furniture, chosen for colour only, like ribbons 

 or embroidery silks. I feel sorry for plants that are 

 obliged to make a struggle for life in uncongenial situa- 

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