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The Garden Magazine, September, 1921 



fragrance, blooming habit, and distinct foliage. But first some 

 nurserymen need to make up and produce stock of a plant far 

 more desirable than the average shrub "novelty." 



A Fall Combination 



THE necessary removal of some shrubs that, while very 

 desirable in themselves, expanded beyond the proper limits 

 of the place they had used for seven years, gave me an oval 

 space in the west garden in which a pleasant fall combination 

 was worked out. In the centre of the space I put a dozen good 

 plants of Boltonia latisquama, and around these set selected 

 Asters — all variations on Aster novae-angl as, I think. The Asters 

 were in turn hedged in with irregularly spaced plants of a flesh- 

 pink giant Zinnia. 



When 1 came home after the vacation absence, this scheme 

 had bloomed its proof of success. The dainty pink of the Bol- 

 tonia, with the clear blue and the deep pink of the Asters, and 

 the soft tones of the Zinnias made a most agreeable showing, 

 at its best in full sun. 



That vacation, by the way, is always rather a regret to me, 

 who take the garden as better than golf or summer-hotel gos- 

 sip. Why do 1 leave the shade, the beauty, the comfort, and 

 especially the good vegetables of Breeze Hill, even for the wild 

 beauty of the Eagles Mere hills and the cosy little Bide-a-Wee 

 home we have there in the edge of the primeval forest? The 

 only answer 1 can work out, apart from the habit of doing as 

 others do which is not compelling on me, is that I cannot relax 

 and rest in my own garden when that garden is growing. Twice 

 in one early summer 1 did sit with a visiting friend a restful 

 half-hour under the great Maple which shades the west end of 

 the centre garden, and the sitting and the resting were both so 

 pleasant that I was moved to wish that I myself might some- 

 time make a visit at Breeze Hill. 



Can any one tell me how to visit at home, when help is minus 



and weeds are plus, when the hoe refuses to move on its own 

 power and the dead blooms flaunt in my eyes? There ought 

 to be a way, it seems, though 1 have no Blue-book to guide me 

 to its entrance. If ever I learn that way, Ell not forsake bloom 

 and comfort, Golden Bantam corn and the early grapes, for any 

 place where 1 am fed out of cans and must dress a la mode ! 



Why Not Fuchsias ? 



PERHAPS it is going afield to discuss here perennials not 

 hardy in the middle states. Yet the Fuchsia is worth 

 restoration to the garden, from which it has vanished as it has 

 almost from the greenhouse. A lingering memory and my 

 wife's preference caused me to search for Fuchsias several years 

 ago. 1 got but one variety, though the labels were interestingly 

 varied, and this has been carried along over the two winters of 

 my possession of a greenhouse. The plants spent the summer 

 in a half-shaded border, and last winter I grew additional plants 

 from the cuttings taken when the summer's growth was reduced 

 to pot dimensions. 



So 1 have had enough plants this season to permit them to 

 dominate several shady and half-shady borders and nooks. The 

 result has been lovely! The plants are graceful all the time, 

 and the abundance of large drooping flowers has been a rich 

 reward for the little trouble I have taken. 



This year, after being stirred with the sight of W. C. Egan's 

 exquisitely beautiful porch baskets of drooping Fuchsias, I 

 adventured in more of them, Mr. Egan graciously starting me 

 with the notable variety he uses. A dozen sorts, bought of a 

 well-known wholesale florist, came in contemptibly little plants, 

 poorly packed, and only a few of them have flourished. 

 As they bloom, they all show the same flowers! My florist 

 friend sold me more labels than Fuchsias, and I shall have 

 to try again; for I do want several differing sorts. Who has 

 them? And what varieties? Ed like very much to know. 



AN OLD-TIME FAVORITE WORTHY OF A PRESENT-DAY PLACE 



So charming a flower as the Fuchsia should really supersede mere fashion 

 and delight the modern gardener with a flair for the "old-fashioned." 



