Close to the House 



of harmonious color. Early in the year 

 a few little Japanese quinces next the grass 

 may flame out a prophecy of spring's ap- 

 proach ; later, the small Judas - tree behind 

 them may outline its crimson branches 

 against the wall, soon to replace their crim- 

 son with green. When the lilacs in this 

 corner have faded, the viburnums in that 

 corner will be growing white ; and so the 

 succession may be kept up until, in August, 

 there is little but a harmony of green tones 

 except w^here a trumpet-creeper is magnifi- 

 cent with tawny clusters. 



Later, when flowers have turned into fruit, 

 we may have charming accents of color 

 again, if we know what plants are most beau- 

 tiful in fruiting. And even in winter we 

 may have lovely color-efl'ects if, in addition 

 to the evergreens which we have wisely 

 mingled in our plantation, we have wisely 

 chosen some shrubs which carry their leaves 

 — half-wuthered but still with a charm of 

 their own — partly through the snowy months, 

 some which keep their bright hips and berries 

 for a still longer time, and some which have 

 twigs and branches of soft red or golden hues. 



87 



