A Descent into Particulars 89 



which, of course may be stripped off; yet they lend a peculiar 

 distinction to the enormous white heads of bloom. In many 

 instances it is better not to relate plants with others; make a 

 group of them and let them stand for their own worth. 

 Plants of slender delicate growth should not be placed in re- 

 lation with those of sturdy form. Thus Triteleia laxa, which 

 is lovely with Coronilla varia, would be put out of counte- 

 nance if planted with Chrysanthemum maximum. 



It is well to bear in mind the peculiarity of some plants that 

 open only in the sunshine or at twilight, for such should not 

 be given conspicuous position. Among those that open at 

 nightfall are Nicotiana affinis, evening primrose, Nycterinia 

 capensis, moonflower, fragrant evening stock, and Hesperis 

 matronalis, which, though open all day, is only fragrant at 

 dusk. Among the flowers that open only in sunshine are Ana- 

 gallis, dwarf convolvulus, Nolana, sun-drop primrose, Cal- 

 landrinia, Helianthemum, and Mesembryanthemum. Among 

 those that close at night are some of the perennial asters, La- 

 vatera, mallow, Malope, oriental poppy, Shirley poppy, cer- 

 tain pinks, some roses, Rhodanthe; while dog-fennel drops 

 its petals as if in sleep, and the Arctotis grandis has such an 

 intermittent way of opening and closing its flowers that I could 

 not be certain whether it preferred sunny or cloudy weather. 



I am often asked if my garden does not take all my time. 

 It is now a hundred and twenty feet long and sixty feet deep, 

 representing many yearly extensions and two nursery beds. 

 I can say very decidedly that it does not. In the spring, when 

 it is a luxury to dig and play in the sunshine, I sometimes give 

 whole days to it; at other times, a few hours now and then are 

 all that I can spare, and in the autumn an occasional day is 

 devoted to clearing out and resetting; but I should say that the 

 actual time given averages not more than half a day in a week. 

 The reason the garden requires such little care is that the 



