HARDY BORDERS 41 



They are all remarkably different. Only two, however, are 

 published in this book. (See plates 14 and 16.) 



I must confess that I used to be prejudiced against straight 

 borders. But for straight and narrow places they are appropriate, 

 while undulating borders are not. The most charming English 

 borders are not single, but double. (See plates 15 and 17.) They lie 

 on both sides of a straight grass walk several hundred feet long, and 

 flowers are seen against brick walls or yew hedges eight to twelve 

 feet high. Such walks connect one part of an estate with another, 

 like outdoor hall ways between outdoor rooms. This is very 

 different from the American idea of throwing everything open. 

 We shall soon learn to value privacy more highly. Of course, 

 much of the charm of these borders is due to the backgrounds 

 which the flowers have. Vine-clad walls are a great expense, 

 and a perfect evergreen hedge means a wait of twenty years. 

 The yew is not to be relied upon in America, but hemlock has 

 practically the same texture. 



Even if we cannot apply some of the principles above stated, 

 even if it would be wrong for us to attempt the care of more than 

 one little border, and even if that border exhibits all the short- 

 comings mentioned at the beginning of the article, still we 

 ought to get better results by bordering our lawns than by setting 

 geometrical beds in the lawn, simply because the borders tend to 

 frame a home picture, while beds in the lawn destroy it. 



Beginners usually go to the florist for geraniums and cannas, 

 and plant them in circular beds in the middle of the lawn. This 

 bedding system gives the biggest show the first season but it spoils 

 the unity of the lawn, leaves a blank space seven months in the year, 

 is monotonous and gaudy, and the expense must be renewed every 

 year because the plants cannot endure frost. On the other 



