

Ferns and Lilies 



miserable garden to tackle." It is a fact that the con- 

 ditions are not inspiring, and that gardening effort 

 usually begins and ends with digging a narrow border 

 round the outer bounds and maintaining a more or less 

 unsatisfactory plot of grass in the middle. In present- 

 ing to readers the accompanying plan for two such 

 gardens, I hope I shall succeed in showing them that 

 even such small plots, devoid xDf any element of interest 

 as they apparently are, can be made capable of pro- 

 viding a very great deal of interest, varied treatment, 

 and pretty effects. 



LAVENDER COTTAGE/' First we will consider 

 the design and planting of ' ' Lavender Cottage. ' ' On 

 the right, entering the gate, border A is more or less 

 essential, and is a line fixed by the building arrange- 

 ments, because the whole width left between the house 

 and fence is not required for a path. There are many 

 ways of planting it that will make a cool and pleasant 

 approach to the house. Of course, there must be a 

 few creepers on the fence, Jasmine or Honeysuckle, for 

 instance. The border will be in partial shade, being 

 on the north-west side of the fence, and is, therefore, 

 eminently suitable for planting Ferns. Lastreas, 

 Athyriums, and Polystichums would all do well therein, 

 and a pretty idea is to plant spring-flowering bulbs 

 among them, such as Scillas, Crocuses, and Grape 

 Hyacinths, especially such as will flower about the time 

 the young Fern fronds are beginning to unfold. The 

 soft, delicate greenery of the Ferns lends an effective 

 groundwork for the colour of spring flowers. For a 

 later effect, some of the shade-loving Lilies can also be 

 grown, and their blooms, rising above the Ferns, are 



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