196 GARDEN DESIGN 



being taken regularly over them. Stepping stones 

 are not recommended where a scythe is to be used. 

 Where streams or ponds exist or can be con- 

 trived, they add immensely to the interests of a 

 wild garden by adding to the number of plants 

 that can be grown, and in choosing a site for a 

 wild garden this should not be forgotten. The 

 Wisley gardens are worth studying by any one 

 interested in this type of gardening, for the original 

 wood and streams are now full of beautiful flowers 

 well established, and apparently able to hold their 

 own against the natives. 



IRIS GARDENS / 



THE iris family is worthy of being given a special 

 department in a garden, although they are also 

 fit occupants of the herbaceous border. The flag 

 section alone, properly represented, would occupy 

 several hundred square feet ; and taking in all 

 the species from /. Danfordiae to /. stylosa, 

 with some situation for /. Kaempferi and similar 

 moisture lovers, an iris garden has something of 

 interest in it all the year round, and is at its best 

 at the end of May, when the rose garden has barely 

 begun. 



An iris garden looks well laid out on formal 

 lines, particularly when flagged paths are used, 

 as the stone colour blends well with grey foliage, 

 and some grass in the form of a central plot or 



