16 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW, 



and belts, and making a lovely sylvan landscape, for the 

 house stands upon the southern slope of the hills that separate 

 the county of Northampton from the Welland. 



At one time the place was occupied by Lord and Lady 

 Henry Grosvenor, and it presented in their time, as it does in 

 the hands of Mrs. Tryon now, a notable example of artistic 

 garden arrangement. The entrance by the colonnade and the 

 delightful vista through the long garden, which is disclosed 

 at the gateway, are characteristic, and tufts of African lilies 

 (Agapanthus umbellatus) are in the path of greyish flagstone, 

 and the vases are filled with summer flowers. 



Look where we may the arrangement is simple and 

 pleasing. There is no attempt at the elaborate, imposing, or 

 ornate. A wealth of flowers boldly grouped, filling the fragrant 

 borders, fine shrubberies, and well-disposed ornamental trees, 

 are the materials which produce the delightful effect. 



It is pleasant to descend from the higher terrace by the 



garden, and another traverses it from enst to west. At the 

 end of the long walk referred to are the splendid iron 

 gates leading into the park, which it is said a local crafts- 

 man made. However that may be, they are an exceedingly 

 fine piece of work, and, with the lofty pillars between which 

 they hang, make a very charming picture indeed, and one quite 

 characteristic of the old English garden. 



We may turn to the left at the gate of the long garden to 

 reach the rose garden, first passing a fine old evergreen oak, 

 upon which time has left its mark, for chains and props now 

 support its boughs. The rose garden is beautiful, as such 

 gardens should be, and is protected from the north and east 

 winds by walls, while a yew hedge is on the other hand, 

 through an opening in which we enter the lower garden, 

 devoted to vegetables and kitchen produce, and having a walk 

 through the centre. Here, again, there are flowers, the 

 place thus forming a flower reserve, in which the gay 



THE IRON GATES LEADING TO THE PARK. 



'Country Life." 



mansion to the level sward of the bowling green by the steps 

 with iron railings of Dutch craftsmanship, caressed by ivy, 

 ampelopsis, and climbing roses. At the foot a long border of 

 mixed irises and another border filled with herbaceous plants 

 add a great charm to the secluded green. Then we may 

 retrace our steps to the mansion, and pass between the lofty 

 ball-capped pillars, with their wide open gates clustered with 

 roses and other climbers, to survey the fragrant beauties of 

 the long garden, the extent of which is about i5oyds. Here 

 the cool grassy walk is flanked by glowing borders, which are 

 backed by tall holly hedges, generally well clipped at the top, 

 and with standards rising boldly at intervals. The shiny 

 leaves of the dense hollies throw the flower borders into relief 

 with fine effect. The gnss walks at Bulwick are one of its 

 features there is little or no gravel in the neighbourhood 

 and are particularly pleasant to tread. In addition to the walk 

 in the long garden, a grassy way runs round the whole 



border is happily associated with the large leaves, herbs, 

 and fruit trees of the kitchen garden. The chief merit 

 of the gardens at Bulwick is that flowers are every- 

 where. The borders of hardy plants are simply glorious 

 in their wealth of harmonious colour from early spring to late 

 autumn, and the irises flanking the creeper-covered walls 

 are delightful. Exotic plants, also, if we may so call 

 them geraniums and so forth are not wanting. In Lord 

 Henry Grosvenor's time at Bulwick the carnations were mag- 

 nificent. One bed of the Ketton Rose variety was 25yds. 

 long and 6ft. wide, and 15,000 flowers of good form were open 

 at the same time. A host of lovely climbers add a great charm 

 to this beautiful garden. Roses, honeysuckle, sweet peas, and 

 everlasting peas, with many other beautiful clinging plants, 

 are there. Everything is leafy, green, and full of colour. 



As Mr. Robinson remarks in his " English Flower Garden, ' 

 the pleasure grounds at Bulwick do not astonish bv showy 



