SIMPLER FLOWER GARDEN PLANS. 299 



together, and sometimes softened by dwarf plants running below 

 the taller ones. The beds are set in a pleasant lawn, and there 

 is easy access to them in all directions from the grass. The area 

 of gravel was much greater in the old plan than in the present 

 one, in which what is essential only for free access to the garden 

 is given. 



EVERGREEN FLOWER GARDEN IN SURREY VILLA. Bearing in 

 mind the conventional bareness and hardness of the common garden 

 of our own day, there is no improvement greater than results 

 from breaking into this by permanent planting of things of a bushy 

 kind. The plan of this garden shows a choice evergreen garden 

 instead of the usual summer planting and autumnal death. The beds 

 are simple and planted with choice shrubs, not crowded, but leaving 

 room for different kinds of hardy flowers so as to get the relief of 

 flower and shrub, and the charm of beds alive and filled at all times. 

 Most of the evergreens (like Kalmia, Japanese Andromeda, and Rhodo- 

 dendrons of beautiful colour) are choice flowering ones, so that we 

 have bloom in spring and summer ; and after, or with the shrubs, the 

 flowers between. Such a garden in pure air well begun might be al- 

 most permanent, because in such soils as these light peaty Surrey soils, 

 the shrubs would thrive for many years ; and the same may be said 

 of the Lilies and choice bulbs between, only slight changes and ad- 

 ditions being required from time to time. Many large gardens, which 

 in similar soils are bare even in early summer, might thus be made 

 charming and graceful gardens throughout the year, and, if this way 

 is not so loud in colour as other ways of flower-gardening, it 

 suits certain positions well. This way of planting need not exclude 

 some summer planting of the usual character, in fact would give 

 zest and relief to it: it is the one evanescent system carried out 

 everywhere that steals the varied beauty from the garden. 



BITTON VICARAGE GARDEN. This is one of the oldest and most 

 richly stored with good hardy flowers of all English gardens, and, 

 unlike many gardens where much variety is sought, it is pretty in 

 effect and quite by itself as all gardens should be, and an example of a 

 small garden of the highest interest, and withal of simple and sensible 

 plan. 



The garden is not a large one, being about an acre and a half in 

 area, and in shape a parallelogram, or double square. As its owner, 

 Mr. Ellacombe, tells us : 



" It lies on the west side of the Cotswolds, which rise, about half a 

 mile away, to the height of 750 feet, and about 15 miles to the south 

 are the Mendips. These two ranges of hills do much to shelter us 

 from the winds, both from the cold north and easterly winds, and from 

 the ^ south-west winds, which in this part of England are sometimes 



