SANDRINGHAM 129 



flower-gardening seldom practised nowadays. The Pansy 

 Garden, so-called from its being constantly planted with 

 various types and colours of that flower, is a sunk garden 

 in the form of a half-circular scroll of Box-edged beds on a 

 groundwork of light-coloured gravel. In the centre, an old 

 Italian well-head — with bucket suspended from ornamental 

 ironwork — is placed. In the well-head itself there is a fine 

 specimen of the rose Alista Stella Gray. Being allowed to 

 grow with little restriction it has assumed large proportions, 

 and is a beautiful object when bearing, as it does, many 

 hundreds of its lovely flowers at the same time. 



Herbaceous Borders. — Among the most striking features 

 in the garden are the extensive Herbaceous and mixed 

 flower borders which may be seen in almost all directions 

 from the west-front windows. The first of these, at the 

 south end of the terrace and in line with the house, was 

 designed by Queen Alexandra. It was the forerunner of 

 many others that have been added since. There are now 

 seven of these borders, in various parts of the grounds, 

 having a total frontage of 530 yards, and varying in width 

 from 9 to 33 feet. The secret of success in Herbaceous 

 border gardening, speaking generally, is deep cultivation, a 

 rich soil, and replanting about every three years. It is also 

 essential to have a background, preferably of evergreens. 

 Not necessarily a hedge ; for one with a more uneven 

 outline with which the various contours of the flowers can 

 more readily blend is often better. Where extent and width 

 of border permits, bold grouping of colours in sequence, 

 from white to blue in the distance, is very effective ; or, as 

 is more frequently adopted at Sandringham, colour contrasts 

 formed by groups of plants in various sizes. Plants of tall 

 growth are usually placed at the back of the borders ; but 

 this is not rigidly adhered to, and they are often brought 

 well forward to produce a more or less undulating effect. 

 One border has a background of Austrian Pines. In it 

 roses, on tall rustic oak posts, many of them 20 feet high, 



R 



