74 VARIETY IN THE LITTLE GARDEN 



and where gay color is needed in any garden, I suggest the use 

 of these two new things in association with each other. 



Much as one dislikes the idea of mere size in flowers, strange 

 though it seems to consider size at all in thinking of this de- 

 licious flower, the astounding thing is that heliotrope Royal 

 Fragrance, with us this summer, measured ten inches across one 

 cluster of bloom. Then there was no scent? will be at once the 

 challenge. Yes, there was a rich, full perfume for every inch, 

 and a fine deep tone of purple too in the flower. The leaves of 

 Royal Fragrance are of a dark and striking green, their texture 

 is almost as stout as that of a viburnum; and as these plants 

 in the garden form a low foreground for delphinium in its second 

 florescence, with Hall's amaryllis in its pale beauty beside, also 

 some young flowers of buff Zinnia Isabellina near by, one can 

 perhaps imagine the charm of this grouping. The flat panicles 

 of the heliotrope create a nice contrast of form with the upright 

 flowers beyond them, and the colors here, all pale violet, blue, 

 mauve and buff, call me many times a day to look with pleasure 

 upon a garden picture that is well nigh perfect. 



Autumn's trilling insect sounds are in the air; the leaves of 

 Carolina poplar and of willow, always too ready to fall, strew 

 the ground and give a feeling of impending change. Apples are 

 ripening; others hang green globes among thick leaves in clusters 

 to please Luca Delia Robbia or his nephew; the first rudbeck- 

 ias are blooming; late lilies such as Henryi droop with graceful 

 apricot flowers under the hot August sun and with no rain for 

 their refreshment; even old peony plants languish a little; but 

 in the garden (which has been kept moist by allowing full force 

 of water to run along the roots of flowers) annuals are gaily 

 blooming and many, like pink mallows and creamy balsams, are 

 just opening their first buds. 



