GARDENS NEAR THE SEA 



crescent-shaped beds not far distant from Japanese 

 maples and small, rare evergreens. In the early 

 season, it appeared as if its planting had been a trifle 

 overdone, although later, when the dreary, half-gray 

 days lingered, and when each plant was aglow with 

 red berries, they were seen with a sense of gratitude. 



The period of occupancy of a home should be one 

 of the points considered when the surrounding hedges 

 are planted. When the house is closed for the winter 

 months, evergreen hedges are not so important as 

 when it is kept open during the whole year, that is, 

 unless the completeness of the place itself is aimed at 

 rather than personal gratification. With those, how- 

 ever, who occupy their summer homes only during 

 the warm weather, the wish to see them then at the high 

 tide of their beauty is entirely natural. In this country, 

 flowering hedges are used more extensively each year, 

 and although it will probably be a long time before they 

 can vie with those of England, they still have attained 

 considerable perfection. 



A tall, dignified, flowering hedge is formed by the 

 rose of Sharon (Althcea), Hibiscus Syriacus. It is not 

 uncommon to see it twelve feet high, although eight 

 feet is a more usual height. It grows compactly and 

 serves in many instances the purpose of a strong 

 fence. Sometimes the white and crimson varieties 

 are set alternately, and when their flowers unfold in 

 mid-summer they produce together an effect at once 

 striking and beautiful. The great burst of bloom 

 from the majority of shrubs has then passed, making 

 the flowering of this hedge all the more acceptable. 



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