FLOWERS IN THE LITTLE GARDEN 47 



have been agreed upon, and only here and there, as accent or 

 accessory, will a fine shrub be introduced to grow free — a 

 delightful effect when it can and should be adopted. 



While shrubs are growing in these informal borders, the groxmd 

 between them, as has been noticed, affords a capital planting- 

 place for spring bulbs. Here snow-drops, crocuses, daffodils, 

 make themselves at home, and seed of the best myosotis or for- 

 get-me-not gives a sweet blue harvest, if left undisturbed for a 

 year or two. Tuhps are delightful among the little budding 

 spireas, honeysuckles, or lilacs, though it is well to remember the 

 special tone of green of these young leaf-buds. For instance, a 

 pink Darwin tulip is not nearly so charming among the young 

 yellow-green leaves of certain shrubs in May, as a yellow Cottage 

 tulip. These are shades of difference, you may say; but why not 

 have them right at the beginning? A httle color harmony here is 

 a valuable thing. 



Now, to be entirely practical, let us take a space of open 

 groimd behind the house for consideration. Suppose the space 

 has its far end at the north, so that exposure to the sun will be of 

 the best; that the entire space, including shrub-borders, is about 

 fifty feet square, and that the centre of this space is to be kept in 

 smooth, well-trimmed grass. In an irregular manner, which 

 should look like nothing so much as a coast-line on a map, this 

 space is skirted by shrubs, none of whose fiowers should be obtru- 

 sively bright in color. For this reason I should always exclude the 

 diervillas, except the white-flowered variety, from a very small 

 property where many June fiowers are desired. In the bays of the 

 little coast-line, and sometimes even beyond the promontories, 

 but always hugging the shore, should come the flower-groupings. 

 No definite rules in feet or inches can be given for such planting, 

 unless there is a plan on paper (and always there should be) : 

 one must feel one's way along here. The definite principles in 



