146 GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



way to get rid of as much of the well-grown but 

 possibly quite inappropriate " stuff " which awaits 

 such orders in his nursery grounds. Arrived on 

 the scene of action, the next move is to fill in the 

 appointed space thickly, in order that it may look 

 " furnished " in the immediate present. No doubt 

 the shrubs are put in with some idea of suitable 

 juxtaposition ; but can it be wondered at that in 

 such a case the after-result is not what had been 

 fondly anticipated ? 



How different the effect of even ten yards of 

 shrubbery border well thought out ! Such a bit of 

 planting may be easily imagined. A group of 

 hollies or Portugal laurel for background ; per- 

 haps for a sheltered spot a standard magnolia. To 

 the right at a short interval, a little forward or a 

 trifle farther back as the position may require, a 

 Siberian crab, perhaps a medlar, or a quince. On 

 the other hand a tamarisk, with a Judas-tree near 

 by, or it might be a Yulan, or a double-flowering 

 cherry. For dwarfer shrubs there might be chosen 

 Spircsa arguta, with arching sprays of white in 

 May, to be thrown into relief against the dark 

 background; a clump of mezereon for earliest 

 colour, while winter is scarce yet on the wane, 

 followed later on by golden-flowered berberis or 

 rosy iveigela. If space is to be quickly filled, a 

 tree lupin may be set to scent the summer air and 

 light up the gloaming with its pale gleam of moon- 

 shine; a few paces beyond, the rose-tinted smoke 

 of Venetian sumach for later effect. Interspersed 

 between the shrubs, perhaps groups of orange or 

 tiger lilies, which are easily satisfied, or the lovely 



