Historic Gardens of Virginia 



and in planning their garden did much for future generations — 

 much that has extended beyond the confines of their evergreen 

 garden. 



This garden is of the sort that can only be found about old 

 houses where sweet and sacred memories linger like the scent of 

 the box and the flowers which bloom within it. How cold and 

 unfriendly modern gardens seem when compared to the old- 

 fashioned ones! At Elk Hill, most of the flower inmates can trace 

 their pedigrees back to the floral emigrants from England and 

 Holland. The young plants that replace the dead ones are scions 

 of the old stock. Strange blossoms, changing every springtime, 

 would not be in good standing with the venerable day lilies and 

 periwinkle, or the mock orange and althea, some of whom can 

 remember the day when the elms and poplars that shade the lawn 

 were only saplings. 



In the following verses, "My Garden," written by Mrs. Stokes, 

 we give a charming picture of Elk Hill at blooming time: 



"Century-old boxwoods their vigils keep 

 Like sentinels on guard o'er the flowers sweet. 

 Lilacs, purple, peonies, pink, 

 Jonquils, hyacinths, tulips; think 

 Of the beauty, the fragrance, the charm — 

 Syringa, spiraea, lilies adorn 

 My Garden. 



"Ah ! Roses twined with memories sweet ! 

 With rapture many hearts in 'membrance beat; 

 Wars have raged under colors of the rose, 

 Lancaster and York cost England in throes. 

 A bier is covered ! A bride's path strewn ! 

 But return to the roses all — abloom 

 In my Garden. 



"As I sit in an arbor, all vine-clad 

 With yellow star-jasmine, I would I had 

 The power to picture on every side 

 Nature's canvas painted in springtide. 



['34] 



