VARIETY IN ANNUAL FLOWERS 37 



except, as in this case, the merging of this picture into its good 

 background of tree-masses, introduced to these, in a way, by- 

 four slender evergreens that seem to guard the pool. 



As I mention purple flowers, I think, of course, of Clematis 

 Jackmannii and of the lavender clematises, large-flowering ones; 

 of these I shall have more to say later on; but two pictures come 

 to my mind in connection with these. One is a border of which 

 I have read, of yuccas in full bloom in August, with pampas 

 grass between them, these planted together in rich profusion 

 in a wide border against a wall; on the wall, over it, mounting 

 heaps of the deep violet Clematis Jackmannii, back of the cream 

 white of the sharp-cut yuccas and the feathery heads of pampas 

 flower. I have long had this clematis on an arch with pink 

 ramblers; but IVIr. William Robinson grows a lovely pale laven- 

 der one, called Perle d'Azur, on stakes among large bushes of 

 rose Caroline Testout. Nothing more charming in June can be 

 imagined than this association of pink and lavender in flowers, 

 unless it be that other association which has occiu-red to me 

 this summer from observation of my own plants — the growing 

 of the Sargent rose before and among that heavenly lilac with 

 the difficult name of Sweginzowii superba. This lilac is not pink, 

 but of a singular tone of ivory-white with a slight admixture of 

 flesh-color through its delicate blooms. Ours is a tree of dream- 

 like beauty, following Syringa villosa in bloom, and offering 

 itself as the most perfect possible companion for cut flowers 

 such as peony Marie Crousse, Venus, Milton; or giving an 

 effect to delight one with iris Storm King and the Sargent rose 

 in the same bowl of flowers. 



For variety in the little garden, however, what is there for 

 midsummer to compare with annuals at their finest and freshest, 

 as they are then? As I WTite, I am looking at some of the most 

 charming of annual flowers, blooming brightly in our own bor- 



