ASHRIDGE 93 



very plain and simple in design, surrounded by 

 a number of Rose-beds. Charming glimpses of 

 the house (framed in dull green) can be seen 

 through the archways cut in the Yew hedge. 

 No contrast devised by Nature or Art could com- 

 bine anything more beautiful in its way than the 

 transparent delicacy of the Roses against the dark 

 background of Yew. 



The Italian Garden lies on the north side of 

 the house, and is well planned, having in the 

 middle a large stone basin of water round which 

 are grouped handsome stone vases raised on 

 pedestals, in many cases wreathed with beautiful 

 mauve Clematis, standing in Flower-beds filled 

 with flowers of many kinds. 



A ring of Irish Yews cut in the shape of trun- 

 cated cones is placed on triangular-shaped plots 

 of grass close to the stone vases, the Yews giving 

 just the depth of dark foliage required. The 

 Flower-beds in this Garden are cut out of grass 

 in geometrical patterns, thus gaining a grass 

 border as well as an inner edging of Box, in some 

 cases a double one, the space between the two 

 rows of Box being gravelled. 



From here the Lavender and Herb Garden 

 (which lies east of the Italian Garden) may be 

 reached by walking across a Lawn like velvet. 



A Lavender Garden ! What a delight ! It is 

 a simple herb, but beloved by all, and by none 



