MIXED BORDERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



153 



better is it to make a smaller rock garden than to attempt an elaborate design with 

 insufficient material. Rock garden making is not a simple task. It demands a know- 

 ledge of the flowers there to find a home, but when artistically formed is a never-failing 

 source of delight. 



Making the Mixed Border. 



A MIXED border, if carefully made, and laid out with a due regard to the natural and 

 therefore artistic aspect which it should present, constitutes one of the most pleasant 

 features of the flower garden. Many an English garden depends in no small degree for its 

 beauty upon the broad mixed borders, in which the perennials flower year after year with 

 increased freedom. Unfortunately mistakes are often made, w hich are not easy to rectify without 

 disturbance of choice bulbs and roots. Take care that a good foundation is laid. There appears 

 to be a general impression that hardy plants, of which section the occupants of the border 

 should mainly consist, can grow anywhere, and are indifferent alike to the depth and condition 

 of the soil in which they are planted. This is, of course, a misconception, and unhappily, 

 in numerous gardens, the plants show by their want of vigour that their requirements are 

 insufficiently studied. In some the SOIL OF THE BORDER is too shallow, and in hot summer 

 days the roots of the plants are parched ; in others the border lies too low, the soil is stiff 

 and badly drained, and during continuous rains the plants suffer in consequence; while, 

 oftentimes, a hedge of stalwart Laurel or hungry Privet runs the whole length of the border 

 and appropriates with its all-pervading root fibres the sustenance that should be reserved fcr 

 the perennials. The ideal mixed border should be deep, a depth of 3ft. being none too much 

 where such plants as Pasonies are grown, for these, when in vigorous health, send their 

 roots down fully this distance. Besides being deep, the soil should be well enriched, for 

 a good beginning is half the battle ; and when plants start away well, their subsequent 

 vigour for a considerable period is assured, provided they are given ordinary attention. As 

 regards soil, nothing is better than sound fibrous loam. If this can be obtained there is no 

 need to seek further ; but in many cases, w here such staple cannot be procured, one must 

 make the best of what is nearer at hand. Mix light soil with well-pulverised clay, leaf-mowld, 

 and peat, 

 if pro- 

 curable, 

 while cow 

 manure 

 should be 

 used for 

 enriching 

 it. Heavy 

 soil should 

 have a 

 liberal ad- 

 mixture of 

 road - grit, 

 coarse 

 sand, 

 burnt 

 earth, or 

 old mortar 

 rubbish to 

 render it 



porous, 

 while for 



MIXED BORDER AT HEN H AM HALL, SUFFOLK. 



