COLOUR IN MY GARDEN 



as thin as wire. But there is nothing frail about the solid 

 tuft of leaves or the mighty tap root that, when you essay 

 to get it out of the ground intact, seems to reach to China. 

 This plant, too, is as hardy as iron and unmindful of drought 

 continues to send aloft its colours until frozen to inactivity. 



It is easily raised from seed and grows freely in the border 

 of well-drained soil or in the rock garden where it is particu- 

 larly valuable on account of its late blooming. 



I can never quite feel that Papaver orientale is a Poppy 

 for all it boasts the simple form and silken characteristics of 

 its fellows. It lacks all the spiritual qualities and is too 

 coarse of texture, too stout of figure, too altogether insistent. 

 It brings to mind Chaucer's portrait of the "Wife of Bath," 

 "Bold was hire face, and faire and red of hew," and yet 

 there is some magic appeal in this great Poppy, too, and one 

 wants to splash it about the garden regardless of con- 

 sequences. 



