Yew and Other Hedges. 



131 



English yew as the tree that should conform to their will as green walls and ornaments 

 in their gardens of formal design. Some actual examples remain, while traces of the 

 use of green yew, clipped and regulated, as important portions of the garden plan, 

 are so frequent as to point to its general use. In some cases of remaining 

 examples the original design is distorted or entirely/ lost, and 3^et a mysterious 

 and strangely attractive charm remains ; while in others some kind of symmetry 

 has been maintained (Fig. 168). There are examples of noble use from old times in 

 gardens of quite moderate size. The ancient yews at Cleeve Prior (Fig. 169), known 

 as the Twelve Apostles, stand in six stately pairs flanking the paved walk to a modest 

 manor house. At a little more than halfway of their height each pair stretches out 

 branches to the next, forming a connecting arch, so that a framed garden scene, five 

 times repeated, is visible from right and left. Hedges of yew with turf alone have an 



'■'m 



FIG. 170. — AN ANCIENT BOWLING GREEN. 



extraordinary quality of repose — of inspiring a sentiment of refreshing contentment. 

 One thinks, with abounding satisfaction of many an ancient bowling green, with its 

 bright, short turf underfoot, its deep green sides of yew, or yew and quiet wall, and 

 nothing more but the sky above and perhaps some masses of encompassing trees 

 (Figs. 170 and 171). Compared with the yew no tree is so patient of coercion, so 

 protective in its close growth, or so effective as a background to the bright 

 bloom of parterre or flower-border (Fig. 172). Its docility to shaping into wall, 

 niche, arch and column is so complete and convenient that it comes first among 

 growing things as a means of expression in that domain of design that lies between 

 architecture and gardening. Our architects and garden designers are well aware of 

 its value. A drawing by Mr. Mallows (Fig. 173) shows, next below a raised terrace, 

 two square garden courts, the terrace steps between them descending to a long green 



