EARLIER FLOWERS 



havior of those plants which have been thus ruth- 

 lessly thinned for the early beauty of a dinner- 

 table. At the moment the garden is rich with 

 color, and campanulas in three varieties furnish 

 the most of this. By far the most effective of 

 these three is Campanula lactiflora, which rises in 

 purple clouds to a height of four to five feet. 

 Next in color value comes Campanula medium, the 

 Canterbury bell, never larger or finer than this 

 year, this in four hues — bright purple, lavender 

 of the same type as that of the beautiful August- 

 blooming Lycoris that iridescent lavender, cool 

 pale-pink, and white. The third campanula is 

 persicifolia, both lavender and white. The grace 

 and slenderness of this flower make it more 

 precious, if possible, than the other garden cam- 

 panulas. How often have I wished for a pale rose- 

 color in this species ! Let us be thankful, how- 

 ever, for the present lavender and white mercies. 

 The purple of the magnificent Campanula lacti- 

 flora is in itself a thought too violent, but as it is 

 now, dense masses of it in the garden, tempered 

 by enchanting spires of Delphinium belladonna and 

 other tall pale-blues and mauves, it gives a depth 

 of splendid color to the green-hedged parterre 

 that nothing else can supply. Next year — oh, 



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