30 ROYAL GARDENS 



the hot banks. Carpentaria californica, Eucryphia pinnatifida, 

 various Olearias, Andromedas, Abelias, Berberises, Veronicas 

 and many others are gradually filling up the banks and ousting 

 quicker growing and more common subjects. The latter 

 have served their purpose in protecting their slower growing 

 and choicer brethren from rough, cold and cutting winds. 



Working as I do almost under the eye of the public, I 

 hear many criticisms passed on the garden, some favourable 

 and some the reverse. Take one instance : I have heard the 

 use of common gorse to furnish one portion of the slope 

 criticised in this manner : " Fancy growing common gorse 

 in the garden — why, you can find it growing on almost any 

 common land. I wouldn't have it in my garden." But these 

 sapient critics either do not know or else forget that it is in 

 the use of some of Nature's most common plants, combined 

 with improved and highly cultivated ones, due regard being 

 given to the position they are planted in, that some of the 

 happiest effects are produced. And who shall say that a 

 great mass of gorse does not give a most beautiful effect 

 when the sun shines on it and turns it into a veritable bank 

 of gold. It is recorded that the great Linnaeus was moved 

 to tears the first time he saw a field of gorse in flower, and 

 expressed regret because it could not live in the cold climate 

 of his native land. In Norman Tower garden part of the 

 steep slope below the famous Round Tower is most happily 

 planted with gorse. From its gorgeous effect in early 

 summer, who would think it was rooted in solid brickwork ? 

 Just a few bricks here and there removed, a plant put in 

 their place, a spadeful or two of soil placed round their 

 roots, and behold the result. 



In giving my advice as to what to get for the garden, I 

 have ever borne in mind the old-fashioned plants and flowers 

 which were favourites in English gardens long years ago. 

 Rosemary and Lavender, Sweet Rockets, Sweet Williams and 

 Sweet-briar, Old Man and Columbines, and many others 

 are growing here. They give to the garden an old-time 

 fragrance and charm which is very grateful to the senses of 



