90 MY GARDEN 



its tufts of narrow bluish foliage are in such a flattering 

 condition of health that my hopes are high for a grand 

 display before long. Mr. Correvon describes it thus, 

 "the pink flowers large, elegant, bluish spotted at the 

 base of the petals, with blue-lilac anthers; petals more or 

 less toothed. The plant is stout and strong, and ex- 

 tremely floriferous, blooming from June to September in 

 rock work in full sun."* 



Of course all the Pinks marry and intermarry, and 

 bring forth many a soft-coloured, sweet-breathed sur- 

 prise for me, and I should miss them more than any of 

 the garden's children. They are plants for sunny nooks 

 and corners, friendly things to be tended by loving hands 

 and enjoyed by those who care for what is sweet and 

 simple. As old Parkinson knew, they are "of a most 

 fragrant scent, comforting the spirits and senses afar 

 off." 



This brings us to friend Sweet William, who, while not 

 a Pink, is yet a Dianthus and so belongs here. The old 

 garden books speak both of Sweet Williams and Sweet 

 Johns, the latter being distinguished by very narrow 

 leaves, and I am sure there were Johns growing in the 

 tangled grass about this farmhouse when we came to 

 live here, for the very narrow leaves of the Sweet 

 Williams I found puzzled me. But I did not then know 

 about Johns, and as the flowers were of that wishy- 



*It proved to be no "miff," but a lovely, hardy little plant, quite happy in its 

 gravelly bed and remained in bloom a long time. 



