SUPPLEMENT TO 



VIII 



THE 



GARDENERS' MAGAZINE 



The herbaceous borders at Castle Ashby bear the impress of skilful Crossing the stream there is a broad stretch of l awn .1* ■ , 

 maLgement a nd it is interesting to observe that while there is no over- water's edge for a considerable distance, and intersec SH * d °* n * tk 

 SS^Sk df the Plants, or of the growth of each individual, each specimen is continued into the plantations, and connect" tSf^ 1 * a *allc, ifi 

 is of sufficient proportions to present an effective appearance. In this respect 

 theydiffer materially from someborders that annuallycome under mynotice, 

 ind they may be described as excellent examples of the results that may 

 'be obtained from following the advice so frequently given in these pages. 

 The arboretum is situate on the eastern side of the Italian garden, and 



is continued into tne plantations, and connect* lu T Dyaw alk,»k^ 

 the. terrace garden. On the lawn a"e n Ui^i he . w * ,k ^Slt 



contains many noble specimens, chiefly of conifers. Prominent among 

 the deciduous trees is a magnificent example of the weeping beech, which 

 at once attracts attention by reason of its great size and elegant contour, 

 the long slender branches tumbling over each other like the spray of 

 a fountain. Especially noteworthy also among the deciduous trees is the 

 specimen of the double-flowered cherry, and in each recurring spring its— 



" Boughs above us spread 

 The whitest shade was ever seen, 

 And flicker, flicker, came and fled 



Sunspots between." 



The effect produced by this cherry when garlanded by its myriads of 

 snow-white blossoms is at all times good, but it is strikingly beautiful 

 when the tree is, as in this instance, associated with the sombre-hued 

 conifers. Remarkable for their height and development are the examples 

 of Cedrus atlantica, Abies canadensis, A. Douglassi, Picea pinsapo, P. 

 nobilis, Sequoia sempervirens, WelHngtonia gigantea, and Cryptomeria 

 japonica, these being sixty feet or so in height. Conspicuous among the 

 conifers of recent introduction are examples of the exquisitely beautiful 

 Ticea Parryana glauca, the silvery hue of these affording a pleasing 

 contrast to the dull colouring of the majority of the firs and pines. 



» n « to 



Here the cultivation of flowers in the grass has b 

 degree of perfection by Mr Hayes, and from Setim!^- t0 a %s 

 makes its appearance until the poet's narciss h-is 1™* \ e s " " 

 is bespangled with flowers of varied hues ; gold« ^S^™. 8 * 



produce so beautiful a picture that the visitor dunnV theT"- u ' 

 might well be excused if, when passing along the walk he K g i 

 exclaimed, — ' ' lin 11 



?*. < im * the snowd^ 



the turf 

 nd daffodi^ 



* 1C "k" JTk T a V" u Se ie »or ex.stence amones? b t£ tStb * 



may each be numbered by ^ the thousand, and the profusion of flf"* 



seaso. 

 the poet, 



er we turn our eves 

 Fresh beauties bloom and opening wonders use." 



By following the stream for some distance, and making a a . 

 through the ornamental plantation which commences near X J 7 

 the fine sheet of water that gives so much life to the landscar* a* 

 materially enhances its charms when seen from the battlement Z ,£ 

 mansion or the terrace, is reached. The lake has a large expanse aJr 

 probably the work of Brown, for it possesses some of the peculiarities 



te'VY- 



4 



ROSE GARDLN AND RUSTIC PAVILION. 



Contiguous to ihe arboretum, and on the south side of the kitchen 

 garden, is a broad expanse of grass, to which special attention has of late 

 years been given with a view to its greater ornamentation. It was 

 originally intended for an orchard, and a considerable proportion of the 

 area was planted with bush trees, but the position is not considered the 

 best possible for hardy fruits, and it is intended to form an orchard on a 

 more suitable site and to plant the space with gioups and specimens of 

 ornamental trees and shrubs. Alongside the broad walk are rustic posts 

 connected with chains, and over these may be seen— 



4i 



Virgin's bower trailing airily, 

 . , With others of the sisterhood." 



I he virgin's bower in this case comprises the finest of the large-flowered 

 uematis amongst which the popular C. Jackmanni is conspicuous, and 

 tne sisterhood includes several species of ampelopsis and lonicera, and 

 ne several subjects produce in combination a pleasing effect from early 



ESmS! ■ ^ autumn > whe n the ampelopsis take on their character- 

 Ll lfr 2??* A long the southern side of the enclosure is a broad walk 



sk-irtprl K,- u u , . ° 1UC UI u,c enclosure is a uruau waiK " ai « gmucn, aic uie nncsi oi »«i»v« • 



SM fA c fi led Wlth tea rose s distinguished by their robust with great luxuriance and bloom profusely ; their large plea 



SaWwS?? r and between the beds are specimens of flowers in contrast with the snow-white chalices o the 



room for the ^SLSltSSS? ^ theSC ' havi " g p,Cnty ° f ^ " S ° mUCh attCnti ° n from . vi ? it0r - S 



a.r, and become inT S^'iSK* S J°° tS t0 ? e SU ° and 



that characterise his style. Whether the lake is the work of Brown « 

 not, it forms a charming feature, and it is a point of some im P° mn "" 

 mention that in no part is the bank so crowded with trees as t 0 ^ 3 * 

 deep shadow on the water and give it the gloomy aspect chara^ 

 teristic of so many water scenes in the United Kingdom. .» ct ' 

 is sufficient vegetation to give life and diversity to the margin, ano» 

 produce a variety of lights and shadows on the water. On turning ; i 

 the broad features of the water scenery to the details ot the 

 gratifying to find that the cultivation of water plants is here, » ™ w 

 other great gardens, receiving increased attention. Hardy ramww « 

 being grouped in suitable positions on the banks of the lake. .™ M 

 margin is fringed with the most beautiful of the semi-ac mat a ^ 

 form a large group of exceedingly interesting plants. Un tne ^ 

 of the lake float the hnest of the water lilies, which have ot x 

 augmented in numbers and enhanced in beauty by the art ot . 

 With the several hardy species well known to al who are intere* 

 water garden, are the finest of Marliac's hybrid ^JSSSS^^ 



stately f 

 meroxn** 1 



beautv Thl Zl "f SeaSOn ^landed with flowers of exquisite being conducted on an adequate scale and with much success rf j 

 favourable to fL r ° Ses , L a X e ev,d emly been placed under the conditions Ashby, for the gardens are visited annually by large n « 

 i Z . lr . h ! r wel be, . D .ft and consequently thev erow vieorouslv classes, and it is reasonable to assume that the object lesson « 



and bloom profusely Znd S^?* c ,? nsec l" ently they gr °A vi & orousl y 

 Along the bwer side o? this tawn y l ° * attraCt,onS ofthe - rounds " 



w;»k _• j . " The copious stream 



The ch '^ip g , f aCe the State 'y cu "«nt ^ads, 



e of g real «T 

 condition***" 



in extending a knowledge of the most ueauuuu --_ vO st0»' 



which they attain the highest degree of development, ana u» 



which they appear to the greatest advantage. . intere*^ 



u„ «/<>rpnr(> to the vaneu^ *« _ . -gg 



And 



emulate its course. 



egard 



park** 



