"A GARDEN DIARY 15 
fine, mixed with sand, and rolled, answers 
fairly. Another question arises in the matter 
of vases. Terra-cotta ones of the right design 
are not easily come by in this country, and, when 
come by, they often cost more than if imported 
direct from Italy. These, however, are details, 
while the question of what to plant in such 
gardens is still more obviously an open one. 
That the more of glaucous, grey-blue tints—such 
as that found in the foliage of carnations—we 
have the better, is I think certain, while if 
small bushes are wanted, lavender will provide 
the same shade. Where both walls and walks are 
of red brick, blue, white and violet seem to be 
the right prevailing colours; reds and yellows 
only to be admitted slowly, and with precaution. 
All this, however, savours of dogmatism! 
The supreme moment for such little plots is 
of course their spring-bulb time. Most people 
call them Dutch gardens, and whether common 
in Holland or not, the tulip undoubtedly seems 
born to flourish in them. When the tulips are 
over, plenty of other things come on however to 
take their places. Pansies, for instance, never 
look better than in such gardens, whether as a 
carpet for tea-roses, or in beds by themselves. 
The smaller campanulas, especially the white hair- 
bells, the small double daisies, and a host of other 
things of the same sort, answer perfectly, while, 
if we want to stretch out our bulb season all 
