128 



ROYAL GARDENS 



Mahonia aquifolium, which fills its allotted space with an 

 effect surpassed by very few evergreens. The north and east 

 walls are covered with Ivies and Crataegus Pyracantha. The 

 latter here, as in all parts of Norfolk, grows luxuriantly and 

 berries freely, forming a striking picture in early winter ; 

 but upon the first approach of cold weather, unless protected, 

 its red berries are eagerly eaten by birds. 



West Front Flower Garden. — West of the house and 

 immediately in front is situated a parterre, or formal design 

 of variously shaped beds. The centres of the larger ones 

 are occupied by good — though rather trim — conical speci- 

 mens of Golden Hollies, which are surrounded by Rhodo- 

 dendrons, thus forming backgrounds for the numerous 

 bedding plants employed both in summer and winter effects. 

 At the latter season Wallflowers, Pansies, Polyanthus and 

 Forget-me-nots predominate, among which, in the smaller 

 beds, trim Golden Yews are planted at intervals. A series 

 of borders on the terrace, close under the windows of the 

 house, are filled with quantities of Tulips, Hyacinths and 

 Narcissi massed in various colours. These being followed 

 in summer by Heliotrope filling whole beds — with tall 

 standards of the same to relieve the flatness — Calceolaria 

 amplexicaulis, sweet-scented Geraniums, Tobacco plants, 

 Humea elegans and other familiar sweet-smelling flowers, 

 their fragrance is wafted into the house through the open 

 windows. Huge bushes of Lavender in handsome terra-cotta 

 pots stand just outside the drawing-room. They are favourite 

 plants of Queen Alexandra, and are planted in many other 

 positions throughout the gardens. During the summer 

 months two large Myrtles, grown in tubs half-buried in 

 the grass here, are objects of especial interest. They were 

 raised from small pieces of the Myrtle used in Queen 

 Alexandra's wedding bouquet. 



Pansy Garden. — Towards the south end of the terrace 

 another series of small beds are reminiscent of a style of 



