Explanatory. 37 



like the creeping Cedar (Juniperus squamata), and 

 the Tamarix-leaved Juniper ! All these are green, 

 and would spread out into dense wide cushions, 

 covering the margin, rising but little above the 

 grass, and helping to cut off the formal line which 

 usually divides margin and border. Behind them 

 we might use very dwarf shrubs, deciduous or ever- 

 green, in endless variety ; and of course the margin 

 should be varied also. 



In one spot we might have a wide-spreading tuft 

 of the prostrate Savin pushing its graceful ever- 

 green branchlets out over the grass ; in another the 

 dwarf little Cotoneasters might be allowed to form 

 the front rank, relieved in their turn by pegged- 

 down Roses ; and so on without end. Herbaceous 

 plants, that die down in winter and leave the 

 ground bare afterwards, should not be assigned any 

 important position near the front. Evergreen 

 Alpine plants and shrubs, as before remarked, are 

 perfectly suitable here ; but the true herbaceous 

 type, and the larger bulbs, like Lilies, should be 

 " stolen in" between spreading shrubs rather than 

 allowed to monopolize the ground. By so placing 

 them, we should not only secure a far more satis- 

 factory general effect, but highly improve the 

 aspect of the herbaceous plants themselves. Of 



