72 GARDENS: THEIR FORM AND DESIGN 



II. Pergolas 



The dawn of the idea of a pergola is traceable to very 

 early Babylonian and Assyrian times. We see forest- 

 trees depicted, and vine-branches are trained from one of 

 these large trees to the other. Delicious cool shadow 

 beneath was the result ; and no doubt here we get, far- 

 fetched as it may seem, the origin of a very delightful 

 little Spanish roofed-in garden, which might well be 

 copied (Fig. 58). It will be noticed that shaded alleys 



lead into this shadow garden 

 on both sides, and that they 

 consist of pairs of square, 

 tall uprights with horizontal 

 woodwork across the top. 

 The main supports are 

 Fig. 58. - twelve feet at least in length, 



so that two feet are securely 

 fixed in the ground. They should not be too close 

 together, but should allow room in the square portion 

 of the garden to have chairs and tables between them. 

 The wood can be either stained with one of the many 

 washes now recommended to preserve from weather, or 

 it can be given three coats of a favourite colour of paint. 

 Beneath are paving-stones, and in between them, in the 

 little chinks and earth-spaces, are planted pansies, thyme, 

 sedums, myosotis, and any other pretty low-growing 

 plants. Creepers of all kinds will grow up the pillars, 

 and as it should be an especially sheltered spot, we can re- 

 serve for it those choice plants such as Lonicera fragrant- 

 issima, winter-flowering jasmine, Vitis Coignetia, and 

 Vitis quinquefolia. Thus, flower or coloured leaf is 

 obtained for each month of the year ; in short, there 

 is always something to watch for. Should shadow not 

 be sufficiently dense, then stretch across the horizontal 



