THE MIXED BORDER 



IN the gardens of to-day the mixed border is not forgotten. 

 In it are plants that remain beautiful for a longer period than 

 beds filled with summer - flowering plants, bright for a few 

 short weeks. Moreover, the possession of a beautiful mixed 

 border is not exclusively confined to the wealthy, for the 

 humblest amateur or cottager may produce the most delight- 

 ful pictures without the aid of a single pane of glass in the 

 rearing or winter-protection of his favourites, whereas in the 

 culture of bedding plants glass shelter is essential during 

 the winter and spring. Where the larger herbaceous subjects 

 are under-planted with bulbs, clumps of Snowdrops poise 

 their white, drooping flowers above the bare earth in the 

 earliest days of February, followed by the golden Crocuses 

 and blue Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa), spring Snow- 

 flakes and Daffodils, yellow and white. As the season advances 

 the border gains in beauty day by day, and loses but little of 

 its attractions in the autumn months, when the perennial Sun- 

 flowers, Michaelmas Daisies, Dahlias, Sternbergias, Autumn 

 Crocuses (Colchicum), and other late-blooming flowers make 

 breadths of colour, followed later by the winter-blooming 

 Algerian Iris (/. stylosa) and the Christmas Rose. As regards 

 the dimensions of the mixed border, it must be impressed 

 upon the amateur that want of space should not deter 

 him or her from proceeding with its formation, for even 

 in a plot ten feet by two feet it is quite possible to pro- 

 vide a pretty show of colour and form. Where space is 

 no object, a border twelve feet or fourteen feet in breadth 

 by one hundred yards in length may well be arranged 

 for ; but, whether large or small, its formation should be 

 proceeded upon with equal care. There is, unfortunately, 

 a very general impression amongst amateurs that hardy 

 plants, of which the mixed border should mainly consist, 

 being hardy, can grow anywhere, and are indifferent to such 

 matters as soil, situation, and ordinary attention. This, how- 

 ever, is far from being the case, and where, under this belief, 

 they are planted in shallow, hungry soil, in dense shade, in 

 exposed, wind-swept positions, or are left with their wants 

 unprovided for, failure is certain to ensue. The aim of the 



