Sweet William and Stachys Lanata. 
The silvery-green leaves of Stachys lanata form a thick velvety 
carpet from which rise slender leafy stalks clothed irregularly with rosy 
lavender inconspicuous flowers. It is generally used as a border or 
edging plant, in which case it is not allowed to bloom. This treatment 
I heard recommended by a garden lecturer. It would rob our gardens 
of the etheral charm which is presented by a mass of Stachys lanata in 
full bloom. The effect is indescribably lovely, suggesting the rosy flush 
of dawn. When Sweet William is planted with Stachys lanata for a 
foreground, so that the clustered heads of the Sweet William (in the 
soft old-fashioned shades) appear through and above the widely spaced 
spikes of Stachys, we have an effect that is cumulative. 
Hollyhocks and Bocconia Cordata. 
The foliage of Bocconia cordata (plume poppy) is ornamental, 
whereas that of the hollyhock is coarse, when insects and disease leave 
any foliage at all. If Bocconia is so planted as to screen a large group 
of hollyhocks without hiding them, an unusually lovely effect is attained. 
Every stalk of Bocconia is topped by a large lacy plume of creamy 
white, which sways in the gentlest breeze, thus lending a mysterious 
charm to vivid colored hollyhocks by half concealing and half disclos- 
ing them. Bocconia is a rampant grower, capable of taking possession 
of a whole garden if unrestrained. 
Matilda A. Donoho, 
Garden Club of East Hampton, L. I. 
The two beautiful sisters, Irises Pallida Dalmatica, and Pallida 
Juniata (taller and darker than Dalmatica) ; a number of the delicate 
rose-pink Oriental Poppy, Rose Queen; some long-spurred white Co- 
lumbines, edged with Myosotis Nixenauge, is a most satisfying combina- 
tion for the border in May. 
A background of Tamarix Africana and T. Indica; masses of 
that heavenliest of blue Delphiniums, Capri; the gold-banded Iris, 
Ochroleuca, borne on five-foot stems ; white Japanese Iris ; a little 
Gypsophila paniculata, to lighten the group; finished with an edging of 
Cerastium tomentosum, is a good arrangement for June. 
In the wilder parts of the shrubbery borders, or in the wild 
garden, try Hemerocallis fulva (the brown-orange day lily) with 
Asclepias tuberosa; lightened with a free planting of Wild Carrot 
(Queen Anne's Lace). It is too lovely in July! 
Buddleia veitchiana with its exquisite lavender spikes; the in- 
comparable white phlox, Frau Antoine Buchner; flesh-pink zinnias; that 
lovely dwarf white phlox, Tapis Blanc, and an edging of Nepeta mus- 
sini, the flowers of which repeat the lavender of the Buddleia blossoms, 
is a combination to delight the heart of any artist in July. 
Lawson Melish, 
Garden Club of Cincinnati. 
