SPRING FLOWER BORDER 



October, the rather shallow roots seeming not in 

 the least to affect the welfare of other subjects 

 near them. The illustration shows them in Sep- 

 tember. Back of these borders of flowers since 

 this description was written have since been set 

 close rows of Spiraea van Houtteii, whose boughs, 

 in time to come, are to be permitted to fall natu- 

 rally on the side away from the walk, but to 

 be kept close-shaven on that toward the flower- 

 borders so that a formal green background may 

 be supplied. 



To leave the border now for a few generaliza- 

 tions on the flowers of spring and early summer. 

 The blooms of tulip Jubilee are of varying heights, 

 which gives this tulip a peculiar value, even as 

 the twisting of stem in certain gladioli makes them 

 more valuable for some purposes. Avis Kenni- 

 cott, on the other hand, seems to keep the yard- 

 stick always in mind, and her flowers are a regi- 

 ment of golden magnificence. Ordinarily, I should 

 never place Avis Kennicott near Jubilee and La 

 Fiancee, as they are here; nor should I allow 

 Le Reve to neighbor these. The perfect place 

 for Le Rve is in company with Mertensia Virginica 

 alone, as has often been suggested before. Each 

 year this combination grows upon me. 



137 



