BEAUTIFUL BORDER PLANTING 91 



Fig. 6 again can have its segments slanted to follow any shape ; this 

 is more a succession of beds than a continuous border, I admit, but 

 it has a well-finished, dainty appearance, and admirably shows off a 

 few valuable plants in each segment. By the by, this design made 

 very large on gravel, and edged by foot- wide strips of turf, presents 

 the gardener with a border that has a magnificent look, while requir- 

 ing only a moderate allowance of bedding plants. On a colossal scale 

 it could be used for the Rosery ; a different variety of Rose should 

 occupy each segment, and the turf edge will prove wide enough to 

 serve as a path between. 



An elaborate edge to an herbaceous border is sometimes a 

 pretty feature in a garden, and, once the trouble of pegging it out 

 and finishing if off with a permanent edging has been taken, the 

 result will long continue a joy. Fig. 1 (p. 92), shows a striking shape, 

 especially adapted for displaying quantities of different dwarf or 

 Alpine plants, or bulbous ones. The pieces of wood to form the 

 edging should all be cut first, then thoroughly varnished, and ought 

 to be not less than 10 inches deep, so that 5 inches can go into the 

 earth and 5 inches remain above : to place them with their 

 mitred and other ends together is a matter of no difficulty, the 

 effect when concluded being rustic and charming. 



A simple waved border is exhibited by design Fig. 2. This 

 is infinitely more elegant than a straight border, and makes the 

 arrangement of bold groups of plants easier to carry out. When a 

 border can be made in the open and of great width, these waved 

 sides have a most original appearance ; but more often the border 

 will be against a fence, wall, or edge, no doubt. If there is ample 

 space the best edging consists of a 10 -inch strip of turf, which 

 should always be kept in velvety, close condition and neatly clipped 

 at the sides. 



For a smaller garden design Fig. 3 would be suitable : this 

 gives more and lesser waves, or scallops, outlined by the familiar 

 glazed brown earthenware tiles with a roll top. Once made it 

 scarcely ever gets out of order, and entails no trouble upon the 

 gardener : the only fault to be found with it is a certain primness 

 or precision, which makes it extra suitable for bedding out arrange- 

 ments, or formal patterns done either with bulbs or perennials. 



In all borders some groups of taller plants ought to appear 

 near the edge occasionally, unless a pattern is being worked out, 

 because the eye tires of monotonous levels ; but Fig. 1 border is less 

 adapted for this use, as the elaborate edging shape constitutes its 



