January 27, 1912. 



THE GARDENERS' A^AGAZINE 



75 



they now enjoy as ornaments of the gar- 

 den. We have brought before our readers 

 many different methodt> of utilising the 

 hardy heatlis, and we have been careful to 

 point out that while they are of great in- 

 terest and beauty when grown in such 



HARDY HEATHS IN THE 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



The ibeaiv-iful gardens of Hilliagdon 

 Court the Middlesex seat of Lord Hilliiig- 

 don, are remarkable for the success th-it 



ia. been achieved in the creation of di.- ^l!!"--!-^',!'-! ^1 t^' 

 tinct features, and the great interest they 

 have as a consequent result. While the 

 most delightful harmony pervades the 

 whole of the area, of tflie ornamental 

 grounds there are hardly two parts exactly 

 alike, and as the attractions of the gardens 

 are maintained at a high level throughout 

 the year, the visitor finds much that is of 

 exceptional interest, whatever may be the 

 time of the visit. Immensely attractive 



THE WITCH HAZELS. 



Although but a few kinds of witch hazels 

 or Hanianielis, as they are correctly 

 named, are known, they form a very dis- 

 manner as to suggest a portion of some tinct and ishowy group of shrubs, w^hich is 



when arranged in formal beds. 



At Hillingdon Court they have been used 

 with much success as marginal bands to 

 beds of roses, mixed shrubs, and other 



7 



suitable subjects. Two bands are formed 

 in each bed and, as each band consists of 

 species or their varieties, flowering at dif- 

 ferent seasons, a display of flowers extend- 

 ing over a considerable period is obtainotl 

 in each bed. Thus, by foi-ming a broad 

 margin of one of the several varieties of 



of peculiar interest to the gardener, inas- 

 much as the various members blossom 

 during autumn and mid-winter, thus giving 

 bright touches of colour to the otherwise 

 rather sombre appearance of the garden. 

 NeitluM' is their briw;ht colour tlieir only 

 attraction, for the weird and spidery look 

 of tlu^ curiously twisted petals is also of 

 interest, whilst the flowers of one or two 

 kinds are very fragrant. The witch hazels 

 give the most satisfat-tory results when 

 planted in light, warm, loamy soil of good 



THE 



HARDY HEATHS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN, HILLINGDON COURT. 



"throughout the summer niontli 



S IS 



tin 



rr o n - 



metric flower garden, willi its bold flower tl 

 beds, edged with wliite marble, which f orms 

 fine a feature adjacent to the mansion. 

 Wardly less attractive and of much interest 

 are the bold borders wholly devoted to blue 

 and red flowers respectively ; the big beds 

 and bold groups of roses that in their sea- 

 son of flowering produce the most delightful 

 colour effects, and so we might continue un- 

 til a. somewhat lengthy list has been made. 

 'nn object at the present time is not to 

 J'.^al with the general features of the Hil- 

 I'nsdon Court gardens, but brieflv to refer 

 w> the good use that has been made of the 

 "ardy heaths in furnishing the flower bods 



^>t a more or le^s formal chnracter. 

 •'.'i^ve w,th,„ ,v<..nit years devoted a con- 

 ■ Klorah e .share of attention to these attr.;<- 



■yMloniJceus of the moorland, and thereby 

 contributed ■ ■ -- 



Krica ciu'uea, and an inner band of one of 



We 



materially to the popularity 



le iorius of K. nu'tliterroana, a profu- 

 sion of flowers may be had from quite early 

 in the year until May. Again, 

 ing K/cilians with K. ciiiorea in a similar 

 manner flowi'rs vnn hv liad from tvxrly in 

 Juno until September. The flower bed that 

 occupies a prominent position in our illus- 

 tration, as wil! be seen, was filled with 

 Japanese maples, havinc; richly-coloured 

 leavtvs. ;nul lilies which of themselves 

 fornuMl a chai'iiiinii combination, but tlie 

 effect was appi'eetably enlian'^'ed by the 

 bright rose-pink Howei-> of the heath, 

 bed, in its simplicity and quiot beauty 

 the best possible proof of the success that 



mnv be aclneved in the use of the hardy 

 lu'atlis for ciliiino- purposes, and affords an 

 (^x(vIl(Mir object-lesson on wh:il may be 

 arconiidished in beaniifyin- the flower 



iraiden with tlieir ai<l. 



qu:;lity. and are partial to a little peat 



about the rn:its. 



Several methods of propagation su^ugcst 

 theni-elve^. for they may be increase<l froni 

 seeds lavcrs. or bv o;rafting. The metlio<i 



usually adopted is to raise stocks of the 

 America 11 H. 



and 



vuiriiiiea from seeds 

 graft the other kinds on to it. Grafting 

 niav be done m spring, and tho . 

 points eitlier bo kept in pot.s and wiiiteiel 

 in a <old frame for the first wintoi 



voun'' 



VIOUs 



This 



- - Pi'<' 



in planting in nursery quarters the 



followin- (spring! or tlioy may no pl-mted 

 out t!ie lir-t summer, l^y paying attontion 

 to pruniiiii- iu the caM- of tlie strong. r 

 growing sorts, it is possible to get tliem to 

 form 41^ distinct leading shoot and a^-suiue 

 tiie Inbii of siirill trees, otherwi'^e tbev 

 onnv into bu.-h tonii. See<!> are not pm- 

 du.ed everv vear. but in the event of the 

 weather being favourable during the time 



