A TRIAL GARDEN 



spaces was Clematis recta. So satisfactory was it 

 here that I count on using it freely in the main 

 garden. It grew to a height of perhaps two feet, 

 with loose clusters of white bloom much like those 

 of the climbing C. paniculata, held well above a 

 pretty and shrublike plant whose delicately cut 

 foliage is of a remarkably fine tone of dark bluish- 

 green. The green holds its own well in hot, dry 

 weather, and gives it value as a low background 

 after its bloom has gone. 



Perennial phloxes receive some attention in 

 this trial garden. Of these, one new to me, An- 

 tonin Mercie, shall have special mention, first be- 

 cause of its good color, a light lilac-lavender; next 

 because of its rather early bloom — August 5 or 

 thereabouts in 43° N. latitude; and last because 

 of its rather low and very branching habit. The 

 spread of its good green leaves and full flower 

 trusses makes it an unusually good phlox for the 

 formal garden, and its resemblance in color to 

 E. Danzanvilliers, the taller and more pearly 

 lavender phlox, fits it admirably for use before 

 the latter. If Lord Rayleigh were just a Httle 

 later, what a delicious combination of lavenders 

 and violet could be arranged ! Phlox R. P. Struth- 

 ers, a brilHant dark pink, redder than Pantheon, 

 61 



