Live Edgings a Feature 31 



gravel walk itself or on to the border on the opposite 

 side, in both doing good service. In some instances 

 known to the writer the plants have been so inobtru- 

 tively introduced that, in conjunction with an entire 

 absence of stone, there is really no line of demarcation 

 'twixt path and border, the plants having developed in 

 much their own way. The idea, however good enough 

 within the limits of the woodland garden or its ap- 

 proaches, is not recommended for general adoption for 

 the border, no matter what its kind. 



The Arrangement of the Informal Edging is simple 

 enough, though its size — and width more particularly — 

 would have to bear a certain proportion to the border 

 of which it is destined to presently become a part. For 

 example, borders of twelve feet or eighteen feet wide 

 might be fronted by a margin equal to one-sixth part 

 of these widths; in other words, they should be two 

 feet wide and three feet wide respectively. Borders of 

 these widths would, of necessity, be proportionately 

 long, hence their margins would soon become a 

 feature. The latter may be the result of the use of one 

 kiad or variety of plant, as e.g., Aubrietia Dr. Mules, 

 Phlox Nelsoni, Campanula pusilla Miss Willmott, Gen- 

 tiana acaulis, Iberis corresefolia, or one of the many 

 vigorous growing varieties of the newer mossy Saxi- 

 fragas. An arrangement on these lines would be of a 

 most imposing character ; the chief and only drawback 

 is probably the short-lived season of flowering. By 

 embracing the whole of the plants named, and setting 

 them out in lengthy stretches, an equally imposing 

 array would be presented, and a much longer season of 

 flowering secured. Small irregular pieces of sand- 

 stone or limestone would be the best material to em- 

 ploy, so setting them into the ground that they show 

 six inches or more above it. There should be no 

 formal placing of the stones. In every direction should 

 there! be seen a little irregularity. Neither should the 

 stones be set out to the full extent suggested. Rather 

 should they be within the boundary so that the two 



