THE GARDEN AT HOME 



But in this chapter I want to emphasise the fact 

 that there are many very charming plants that remain 

 tidy after their blossoms are a thing of the past. Also 

 I want to advise the reader who values the appearance 

 of the border, yet who has little or no skilled labour at 

 his disposal, and none too much time of his own to devote 

 to the garden, to grow these " tidy " plants, as I have 

 christened them. By inter planting them judiciously 

 among the untidy ones the neatness of the hardy flower 

 border may be greatly prolonged ; in fact, it may, without 

 much trouble, be made to continue presentable through- 

 out summer and autumn. And do not all of us, despite 

 our affection for naturally disposed flowers, really much 

 prefer to see the garden tidy ? I am sure everyone does, 

 if my present interpretation of untidiness is allowed, 

 for by a tidy plant I mean one of which the leaves keep 

 green instead of dying and the stems persist instead of 

 perishing. 



The Flag Irises that bloom in June stand high in my 

 list of tidy plants. One may have numerous groups of 

 these without misgiving. Not only do they not detract 

 from the charm of the border after they have flowered, 

 but actually they add to it. Their grey-green leaves, 

 that neither wither nor wilt in the sunshine, form an 

 admirable foil to the gaudy flowers that come with the 

 riot of summer bloom. And these masses of grey have a 

 distinct charm of their own. Everyone knows the lovely 

 Day Lilies or, to give their botanical name, Hemero- 



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