HARDY FLOWER BORDERS 



aspect is sheltered and sunny — and the cottage should 

 always be situated so that the living rooms may be 

 filled with sunshine — we may make a border and fill it 

 with slightly tender plants, which, happy in such 

 positions, would probably suffer in the more exposed 

 parts of the garden. A special feature might be made 

 of scented flowers whose summer fragrance would enter 

 the open windows, filling the whole house with delicate 

 freshness. I remember with gratitude a tiny cottage 

 drawing-room, a dainty vision of white and green and 

 old satin-wood furniture; through the open windows 

 came the cool evening breeze perfumed with the breath 

 of night-scented Stocks, which had been planted in just 

 such a border as we are considering. 



It is important when making these house borders that 

 they shall be of a width directly proportionate to the 

 size of the building. If too wide, they dwarf the 

 cottage ; if too narrow, they look poor and insignificant. 

 Six feet is the maximum depth permissible for small 

 houses, and considerably less will be ample for cottage 

 and one storey buildings. As to plants for filling them, 

 choice should be made from varieties of moderate habit : 

 avoid coarse growing things like the larger Poppies, and 

 also such tall plants as Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, and 

 Delphiniums, which would tend to rise above the 

 windows and exclude light. Lilies, Irises, and the 

 best kinds of Tea Roses are especially suitable, also 

 Dielytra, Stocks, Carnations, Wallflowers, scented 

 Paeonies, and Chelone. Climbers should be planted at 

 the back, and encouraged to clothe the walls in free and 

 graceful ways. No systematic training or nailing should 

 be attempted, and, above all. Ivy, with its sombre, dusty 

 foliage and greedy roots, must be banished from the 

 vicinity. A well-coloured wall, either of mellow brick 

 or warm grey stone, is in itself a delightful background 

 for flowering plants. For this reason, it should not be 



