282 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



Ireland, where the soil is peaty, Rhododendrons 

 grow too quickly, and so spoil their effect by over- 

 crowding. Within the memory of the present 

 generation, this Garden was an elaborate formal 

 one, with prim edges and Parterres. But fashion 

 decreed change, and change has indeed been 

 accomplished. Though lacking in its old charm, 

 a new Garden has been created, much helped by 

 having as a background a picturesque view of the 

 house. 



On retracing the steps back to the gravel Terrace, 

 through the Rhododendron Garden, on the left, 

 coming west, will be found a Rose Pergola. This 

 Rose Pergola is raised high above the Lawn, which 

 it divides from the last Garden ; it is curved in 

 form and Early Victorian in type. The picturesque 

 effect of this Rose Pergola is partly due to its 

 admirable position, the trailing Roses being seen 

 from many parts of the Garden. At the end of 

 this sweet-scented Pergola is the " Duchess Walk," 

 a long grass path, which extends nearly the full 

 length of the south side of the Garden. It is 

 planted with flowering shrubs, among the number 

 Wistaria, Lilac, and Laburnum, all beautiful in 

 colour and grace. Yet many people disdain to 

 plant these three, as being " too ordinary and 

 common." As if any shrub or flower, beautiful in 

 form, colour, and growth, could rightly have either 

 adjective applied to it. 



