92 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



plant growth — a garden where broad masses of white 

 Pinks meet the gravel path, and the Saxifrage and Stone- 

 crop creep up to one another. An edging of this kind is 

 simple, and, made of plants free in growth and in the 

 appointed season, of flowers also. 



White Pinks are more popular than any flower for 

 edgings. They are of free growth, and their silvery 

 leaves are at all seasons pleasing to look at, but those 

 in June are hidden with the snow wreath of flowers. 



THRIFT EDGING. 



Mrs. Sinkins, Her Majesty, the old fringed white, and the 

 newer Albino are all varieties adapted for this purpose. 



The dwarf Veronicas, such as V. rupestris and V. taurica, 

 form an edging that may be used by themselves, or 

 associated with other plants, of w hich one of the most 

 suitable is the while Pink. Plant them alternately — rich 

 blue against pure white, the Veronica growth creeping 

 over the surface of the soil and nestling against the 

 Pinks. 



Thrift is seen in many old gardens, but it requires 

 more attention than a stone edging. To preserve its 

 beamy ihe plants must be lifted, divided, and replanted 

 once in at least four years ; a rich, even growth is then 

 the reward. The tufted habit, fresh green growth, and 

 rose purple flowers in summer are enjoyable to look at. 



Tufted ParOes make a flowery margin for two or 

 three years, but, unfortunately, i hey get "sick'' of the 

 soil, and need, to prevent sudden collapse, a fresh 

 position ; but where time can be given to changing the 

 margin of beds and borders, the Pansies should be 

 planted freely in clear self colours. Fancy shades are a 

 mistake. Pure white, a deep blue, lavender, and lints of 

 this character, give bolder effects than any striped or 

 mottled flower. 



Saxifrages (Rockfoih) of many kinds— best of all, how- 

 ever, the mossy S. hypnoides and Stonecrops — r orm 

 permanent edgings, and are throughout the year fresh 

 and bright. 



Box is a well-known edging, formal, but in its "ay 

 charming. A badly-kept Box edging is a blot in the 

 garden, however, and, unfortunately, such a feature is 

 not uncommon. The growth must be regularly clipped 

 each year, say in the spring, and stretch a line the 



whole length of the edging, so as to show the correct 

 height ; then cut evenly and neatly both at top and sides. 

 Box edgings are ruined sometimes through neighbourintr 

 plants overhanging them, or by salt thrown on to the 

 walk for destroying weeds ; when this is worked to 

 the sides ihe growth of the Box is ruined. When 

 relaying, take up the plants, pull them to pieces, and 

 use the strong young growths, which must be clipped to 

 one level. Box is very easily grown, and stands 



pruning with 

 i impunity. 



The 'iibject of 

 edgings is a 

 wider one than 

 ■{ >;j may at first 

 •V/-*:'** appear. Borders 

 with Peonies 

 fading over the 

 walk and Laven- 

 der scenting the 

 air by the path- 

 side arecharming 

 indeed, but re- 

 ference has been 

 made to perma- 

 nent or dwarf 

 edgings. 



Epilobium.— 



These are plants 

 most at home by 

 the water-side. 

 E. augustifolium, 

 its vaiiety album, 

 E. hirsutum, E. 

 obcordatum, and 

 E. rosmarinifo- 

 lium are the chief 

 kinds. Willow 

 Herb is the 

 popular name. 



E ranthis 

 h y e m a 1 i s 



{Winter Aco- 

 nite). — A pretty 

 little bulb, its 



yellow flowers, in their collar of green leaves, 

 appearing almost before January is out in mild \ ears. 

 It should be planted in the grass, at the foot of trees 

 or amongst shrubs ; indeed, there are a score of 

 ways of using such a flower. In the Royal Gardens, 

 Kew, there is a bed of the Siberian Dogwood, a sea 

 of crimson with its brightly-coloured steins, with the 

 Winter Aconite planted amongst it ; the effect is very 

 rich. It seems to like a rather dry soil, and establishes 

 itself in some gardens but dies out in others. 

 EremurUS. — A noble family of I ardy plants, the secret 

 of success in cultivation being to protect them from cold, 

 harsh winds and the morning sun. A sheltered south- 

 west aspect should be chosen, if possible, and the big 

 spikes are more imposing when thrown into relief by 

 a background of evergreen shrubs, which, however, 

 should not be so close that the pi mts are overshadowed. 

 The site lor the pi mts must be well chosen and pre- 

 pared, for once Eremuri are in position they should not 

 be disturbed. Plant in the autumn in rich loam, sandy 

 rather than otherwise, and mix with the loam peat, 

 thoroughly-decayed cow manure, and sharp silver sand. 

 In planting, never bury the crown, but keep it a little 

 above the surface of the soil, and in severe wdniers give 

 protection in the form of cocoa-nut. fibre. The Eremuri 

 are increased in two ways, namely, by seed and division 

 of the roots. Sow the seed as soon as ripe in a cold 

 fiame in well-prepared soil, or out of doors in a 

 sheltered bjd or corner. Leave the seedlings there for 

 two years, and transplant in autumn to the positions 

 they are to adorn permanently. Five years elapse before 

 seedlings flower, but a quicker way to increase 

 them is by division in the autumn, separating 



