COLOUR IN MY GARDEN 



hoary surface. The Blue Spruce, relieved of its existence as 

 a lawn specimen, might be most effectively massed as a back- 

 ground for pink Phlox, or grouped with purple-leaved Maples. 



Of gray plants for the border none is finer than the Sea 

 Lyme Grass (Elymus arenarius, listed in some catalogues as 

 E.glaucus) that is well shown in Plates 13 and 14. All through 

 the summer and autumn and until snow is on the ground 

 its strong, grasslike foliage retains the beautiful colour, 

 taking its place harmoniously with whatever scheme of 

 colour is the fashion of the moment in its neighbourhood, 

 and outlasting them all. Stachys lanata is another of great 

 beauty and usefulness. This is a low-growing plant with 

 long silver velvet leaves that bind the border verge in 

 company with patches of pink Thrift and lavender Nepeta 

 Mussini with an effect most delightful. The Nepeta itself 

 has charming gray-green foliage that accords pleasantly with 

 its mauve flower spikes. 



Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a plant of rare beauty and 

 elegance. It is the old time-honoured medicinal herb, but 

 is quite fit to serve a less material use in the garden 

 world. Its delicately cut foliage shines with metallic lights 

 that increase in lustre as the season advances. The bush 

 grows almost three feet tall and should be well cut over 

 occasionally to keep it in form. Few finer accompaniments 

 could be found for pink Phlox, Michaelmas Daisies, or any 

 flowers belonging to the magenta group. Other fine gray- 

 leaved plants are: 



Lychnis Coronaria (Mullein Pink) , both the aster-purple 

 and the white sorts, 3 ft.; June through August. Easily 

 raised from seed. 



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