MIXED BORDERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



155 



as the Lyre-flower, or Bleeding Heart (Dielytra speetabilis), and the Oriental Puppy, shall 

 occupy sites immediately behind subjects that are more deliberate in making their growth, and 

 w ill thus blot out the former w hen they are no longer ornamental. Of this latter class the white 

 Japanese Anemone and perennial Asters may be mentioned as types. As regards colour, if the 

 flow ers are grown, as suggested, in masses, it follows that the colour scheme will disclose itself 

 in breadths, alter the manner of Nature's handiwork, rather than in dots and lines, the former 

 being restful, w hile the latter are trivial and artificial. In some of these flower masses, allied 

 tints form a delicate harmony, as in the hybrid Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemerias) and Columbines ; 

 while striking contrasts are often valuable for effect, such as the vivid scarlet of the Oriental 

 Poppies flaming over a colony of white fragrant rockets, Gladiolus brenchleyensis associated with 

 white Phlox, and the vermilion scarlet Lobelia (L. cardinalis) with the deep blue Salvia patens. 



If pinks and scarlets, colours that invariably clash, are kept apart, direct contrasts or 

 gradations of colour, passing by half tones from one decided tint to another, are equally 

 admirable. If the border back's upon a high wall, this may be covered with all manner of 

 beautiful creeping plants, climbing Roses, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Wistaria, Clematis, and scarlet 

 Tropaeolum, while billows of Gypsophila may be allow ed, here and there, to encroach over the 

 verge of the path, which in other places may be hidden by the grey-green leafage of Pink's, or 

 the flowers and foliage of trailing plants. 



In borders shaded by trees, few flowers will, of course, succeed. One must plant shade- 

 loving perennials — the L)av Lilies, in variety, a noble group for such positions; Pasonies in 

 subdued light ; Irises, the German kinds in particular; Primroses, hardy bulbs, Scilla campanulata 

 (Spanish Scilla), and varieties rose and white, Ferns, Solomon's Seal, and the Bluebell and 

 its forms. 



Some Beautiful Border Flowers. 



ALTHOUGH the mixed border is never a blaze of colour from end to end, there is no season, 

 from early spring to late autumn, during which it is without its charm of flowers. Amongst the 

 large number of hardy plants available for its adornment, the following list offers a representative 

 selection : In the spring there are bulbs of various species, such as Snowdrops, Crocuses, 

 Scillas, the Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa Lucilia? and C. sardensis), the spring Snowflake 

 (Leucojum vernum), and the Daffodils, of which Narcissus obvallaris, N. maximus, N. Golden 

 Spur, and N. Emperor, of the golden trumpet section, and N. Horsfieldi, N. Fmpress, and 

 N. Grandee, of the bicolor trumpets, as well as N. Sir Watkin, N. Stella, and N. Cynosure, of 

 the incomparabilis type, are vigorous varieties ; while of other beautiful Narcissi there are the 

 Pheasant's Eve, N. poeticus ornatus, and N. p. recurvus, with the double, Gardenia-flowered 

 Daffodil, N. p. flore-pleno, the Star Daffodils of the Leedsi section, and the handsome N. Barri 

 conspicuus. Many of the Anemones will add to the springtide effect, such as the well-know n 

 A. coronaria, A. apennina, A. fulgens, A. Robinsoniana, and the Pasque-flower (A. Pulsatilla) ; 

 while, later on, A. narcissiflora will bloom, and, about the edging, such plants as the Aubrietias, 

 Arabis, and Alyssum will flower. The bulbs may be planted among the herbaceous subjects, 

 which, with their rapidly-spreading foliage, will soon hide them after their flowering period is 

 past. The Lyre-flower (Dicentra speetabilis) and the Giant Leopard's Bane (Doronicum 

 plantagineum excelsum Harpur Crewe) are two of the earliest-blooming of the herbaceous 

 section, and are both highly ornamental ; then the purple Campanula glomerata comes into 

 flower, to be followed, later on, by other Bell-flowers, C. grandis and its white variety, the 

 Peach-leaved Campanula (C. persicifolia), with its white, double white, and newly-introduced 

 large-flowered sport (C. p. a. grandiflora). Cheiranthus Marshalli, with its brilliant orange 

 flowers, creates a telling spot of colour in the border, and the Dittanv or Burning Bush 

 (Dictamnus Fraxinella), and its white variety, are pretty, old-fashioned plants, a remark that 

 applies to the crimson Bergamot (Monarda didyma) and the fragrant double white Rocket, 

 which latter subject is benefited by being divided and transplanted into fresh soil every autumn. 



