34 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



How to make a pergola and keep it from becoming dull 

 and irritating at any time is a question which has yet to 

 be answered. By clothing it with evergreen climbers one 

 might make it passable in winter, but it would never have 

 a gay time, would be a dull object always. A mixture 

 of rose, clematis, honeysuckle, and evergreen might be 

 managed, but it would be difficult to keep in balance. 

 The choice of plants would depend on space and situa- 

 tion, and there is great variety to select from. A pergola 

 devoted entirely to Wistaria would be magnificent when 

 the plants were in bloom. The rose pergola at Kew 

 is a beautiful sight in June, when most of the plants, all 

 of the Rambler type, are in full blow. The grape vine 

 would be an excellent plant to use in this way, and in 

 sunny localities it might be fairly fruitful. 



From what has been said it will be seen that I do not 

 recommend the pergola except solely as a structure for the 

 accommodation of climbing plants. As a purely archi- 

 tectural feature in the garden I have no patience with it. 

 The plashed alleys of the sixteenth-century gardens served 

 the purpose at least as well, and were less unsightly 

 in winter. I may be wrong, but I certainly am a heretic 

 in this question of architectural art in the garden. To 

 me a block of stone of fantastic form with a sundial on 

 it is affectation make-believe. Naked human figures in 

 stone stuck about in the garden should either be covered 

 or taken indoors in cold weather ; when I see them I feel 

 disposed to offer them a muffler, an umbrella, or a Bur- 

 berry. The unattractive seats in stone that are becom- 

 ing fashionable must be meant for the ladies whose 

 Sandow clothing does not admit of sitting down. Surely, 

 the garden should be comfortable, peaceful, beautiful 



