HOLLYHOCKS AT BLYBOROUGH 



The climate of North Lincolnshire is by no means one of the 

 most favourable of our islands, but the good gardener accepts the 

 conditions of the place, faces the obstacles, fights the difficulties, and 

 conquers. 



Here is a large walled garden, originally all kitchen garden ; the 

 length equal to twice the breadth, divided in the middle to form two 

 squares. It is further subdivided in the usual manner with walks 

 parallel to the walls, some ten feet away from them, and other walks 

 across and across each square. The paths are box-edged and bordered 

 on each side with fine groups of hardy flowers, such as the Hollyhocks 

 and other flowers in the picture. 



The time is August, and these grand flowers are at their fullest 

 bloom. They are the best type of Hollyhock too, with the wide 

 outer petal, and the middle of the flower not too tightly packed. 



Hollyhocks have so long been favourite flowers — and, indeed, what 

 would our late summer and autumn gardens be without them ? — that 

 they are among those that have received the special attention of raisers, 

 and have become what are known as florists' flowers. But the florists' 

 notions do not always make for the highest kind of beauty. They are 

 apt to favour forms that one cannot but think have for their aim, in 

 many cases, an ideal that is a false and unworthy one. In the case of 

 the Hollyhock, according to the florist's standard of beauty and correct 

 form, the wide outer petal is not to be allowed ; the flower must be 

 very tight and very round. Happily we need not all be florists of this 

 narrow school, and we are at liberty to try for the very highest and 



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