98 GARDENS OF ENGLAND 



spectaUlis, and the oriental poppy, which they 

 will effectually screen from sight. If an attenapt 

 is made to provide a colour scheme such as was 

 suggested earlier in the chapter, where a mass of 

 blazing scarlet in the centre merges into glowing 

 orange, yellow and palest sulphur, and purple fades 

 through darker and lighter blues to lavender, an 

 endeavour should be made to preserve the coloiu* 

 effect for some months by using plants of the same 

 tints which are later in coming into bloom. It 

 is not necessary that the herbaceous border should 

 be absolutely confined to hardy plants, for such 

 things as dahlias and cannas are invaluable for 

 their colouring and may well be put out in the 

 early summer, when they will provide a brilliant 

 autumnal effect. By far the best edging for the 

 herbaceous border is one of rough stones sunk well 

 into the ground. Such an edging imparts a 

 pleasing finish to the border and infinitely increases 

 the interest in the collection of plants, since it 

 permits the culture of Alpines, which will succeed 

 as well in the edging as in a rock garden, and will 

 contrast charmingly, with their low growth and 

 compact masses of attractive flowers, with the 

 higher-growing perennials in the border at their 

 rear. Although it has been pointed out that a 



