JUNE 95 



where already there is a considerable colony of it, 

 for it does admirably amongst the herbage. 



One thing I must get for my borders before 

 another June, and that is a judicious selection of 

 plants of a good full yellow colour. At this 

 moment there is no brilliant yellow in them except 

 eschscholtzias and Iceland poppies, which are only 

 annuals, and therefore not to be relied on after 

 a hard winter. The Nankeen poppy is very lovely 

 in its salmon-apricot tint, but it does not satisfy the 

 eye-craving for yellow. My first and chief desire 

 is for brilliant gentian blues ; pinks and crimsons 

 are essential, and come without effort, as does also 

 white ; violets and magentas have to be allowed 

 only sparingly and under protest, as it were ; true 

 scarlets and real coral pinks are absolutely neces- 

 sary, and deserve encouragement. But a real good 

 lemon yellow at this time of year is more scarce 

 than a true blue, and is quite as great a treasure, 

 which is saying much. 



For a June edging I know nothing prettier than 

 the pentstemon procerus at the back, and the big 

 white rayless viola, or tufted pansy, as they call it 

 nowadays, widely massed in front. For a large 

 round bed, with coreopsis grandiflora all over the 

 centre, it would be quite suitable ; for, although the 

 pentstemon goes out of bloom by the end of the 

 month, the violas remain and look beautifully 

 harmonious with the coreopsis through the rest of 

 the summer. This coreopsis would be a perfect 

 plant if it were a true perennial. It is very free 

 flowering, most persistent, handsome, and useful for 

 cutting. Sometimes it will throw out side growths 



