THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 



gold, and many-colored irises make rainbow festival, 

 while the forest-trees turn suddenly green and rose. 



But wait for April, and then walk down the luring 

 path between the lofty hedges to the northeast corner, 

 where the garden touches its apogee. Behind the Chi- 

 nese almonds the tea-arbor shelters gaily, and between 

 this arbor and the house the path separates in all direc- 

 tions, making geometrically shaped beds that are filled 

 with color. Here the spiraea hangs its drooping fronds 

 of flowerets and the magnolia blooms magnificently. 

 The creamy banana shrub steeps the air with its heavy 

 scent, white and pink diervillas, lilacs in bewildering 

 variety and honeysuckle tumble into flower and then, 

 some sudden day, the azaleas blaze into flaming color, 

 so radiantly glorious as to be entirely unbelievable, ex- 

 cept that there they are. Towering high overhead in 

 swelling masses, scattering vivid petals on grass and 

 gravel, all in sunset hues of rose and pink and crimson, 

 yellow and cream and warm white, unforgetable, 

 amazing. 



Next come the intense crape-myrtles, the syringa, 

 waxy-white, and the roses, of every color and size and 

 shape. Gardenias come with the sweet-peas in May, 

 and then, too, the oleanders turn both pink and sweet. 



Month by month, hidden in its encircling hedges, the 

 garden brings its various blossoms to perfection. Even 

 in December it has roses and camellias to show, while 

 the autumn days are intoxicating with late lilies and 



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