40 The Wild Garden 



plants was dug in the autumn, and the refuse thrown 

 into a near plantation, far in among the shrubs and 

 trees. Here they grew in half-open spaces, so far 

 removed from the margin that they were not dug 

 and were not seen. When I saw the Larkspurs in 

 flower they were more beautiful than they are in 

 borders or beds, not growing in such close stiff tufts, 

 but mingling with and relieved by the trees above and 

 the shrubs around. This case points out that one 

 might make wild gardens from the mere parings and 

 thinnings of the beds and borders in autumn in any 

 place where there is a collection of good hardy 

 plants. 



The engraving on the next page represents one of the 

 most beautiful effects obtained in his wild garden by an 

 acquaintance of mine who began when he knew very 

 httle of plants and their favoured haunts, and succeeded 

 well in a not very favourable site. Herbaceous Pseonies 

 were amongst those that succeeded best. The effect 

 was very beautiful, either close at hand or seen at 

 a considerable distance off. Herbaceous Paeonies ar e 

 amongst the most free, vigorous, and hardy of perennial 

 plants, and in free good soil with them alone most novel 

 and beautiful effects may be carried out in most places 

 where there is room. Even in small gardens, a group 

 or two outside the margin of a shrubbery would be good. 

 The effect of the blooms amonj ^st the lo ng-ffrass is 

 finer than any they present in borders, and when out of 

 flower they are not in the way. It is almost needless 



