66 The Wild Garden 



less common and more graceful kinds (when plentiful 

 in gardens) may be used. The same is true of many 

 hardy climbers. It is not only shrubs and climbers 

 we may add to our fences, but hardy flowers of the 

 more vigorous kinds, which indeed often thrive well 

 in hedge banks. I have planted in them bulbs of 

 Narcissus, Tulip, Violets, Wild Strawberries, Star- 

 worts, Moon Daisies, and various vigorous plants 

 which grow perhaps too well in the garden. They do 

 not add to the strength of the fence, but when large 

 rough fences are made they often adorn it, whereas 

 the shrubs above mentioned, Wild Roses and Briers, 

 tie the fence together, and add security as well to 

 its beauty. 



In certain parts of Kent, on the. hills, we see a very 

 picturesque fence, of undipped Yew, creeping in dark 

 single files across the hills, here and there bearing 

 garlands of wild Clematis. A fence suggested by this 

 may often be useful in gardens, and be improved upon. 

 I mean an undipped fence of native Evergreens, not 

 planted close, and among them, at intervals, flowering 

 shrubs. Where Yew is used for this, such a fence 

 should not be put in open fields, but in country places 

 there is often occasion for such a free dividing line, to 

 separate orchards and other enclosures from roads or 

 woods. Such a fence I made to protect the west side 

 of the new orchard at Gravetye, running from the moat 

 up the hill, using Yew in this case, as there was no 

 grazing on either side; between the Yews were 



