16 GARDEN ORNAMENTS 



the "fairy's favorite flower," it is so dainty in its 

 hues. 



The rose moss or portulaca is a valuable border 

 plant. It grows luxuriantly in sandy soil, where 

 no moisture is retained, and seems to draw suffic- 

 ient sustenance from the dews that fall at night, 

 rather than from the unkindly sand which touches 

 its tiny roots. One advantage in its use is that it 

 grows quickly from seed, that is, if it is planted 

 in a dry spot. The needle-shaped foliage is incon- 

 spicuous, while the blossoms are as brilliant as pop- 

 pies and are produced in large numbers. A serious 

 fault, however, is that it closes during the after- 

 noon. If one decides to use portulaca, choose solid 

 colors rather than to miy a mass of varied ones. 



For a shady bit of garden, why not try out del- 

 phiniums ? They are not expensive, the roots cost- 

 ing about a doUar and a quarter a dozen, but they 

 are so graceful that they are effective for use of 

 this sort. 



The plants chosen must be in harmonious con- 

 trast to those that fill the beds, otherwise one shud- 

 ders as they view the completed scheme and won- 

 ders how it is that the gardener is so color-blind. 

 Hardy borders or annuals are used very often. 



