TOPIARY 



103 



sloping down some inches from the top towards the path 

 is practical, for the snow glides gently off and the trees 

 are not then injured ; and small balls and pyramids can 

 be cut in the yew to give variety. 



Sometimes, in an old garden, we find a tree growing 

 out of a wall. Without pulling away the stones it would 

 be impossible to remove the strong roots, and perhaps a 

 touch of dark green foliage 

 helps the picture, so the 

 tree is left. It can, if it 

 is a yew, be clipped into a 

 pyramid, which will keep 

 its growth in bounds, and 

 probably fit in with the 

 rest of the formal garden. 

 Yew is not often used 

 as an edging to flower- 

 beds because it is a robber, 

 in the way of grasping the 

 best food. In an old 

 garden we sometimes find 

 it round a border. Fig. 78 Fig. 78. 



shows how it can be em- 

 ployed to form a low continuation of a high hedge at the 

 back. The grass path (C) separating the two half-circles 

 that are intended for garden seats (A) is not so wide as to 

 prevent talking between the two. It is a pretty and rather 

 uncommon idea to place the garden benches so that they 

 are surrounded — we may almost say embedded — in a 

 colour-scheme herbaceous border. A narrow path at the 

 back (E) prevents the roots of the tall yews from 

 approaching too near the flowers. This plan can be 

 treated equally well without an edging of any kind, but 

 with the hedge alone. 



It may be useful here to give practical notes upon 

 planting yew-hedges. The ground should be thoroughly 



