January 1, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
11 
Evelyn, as they are mentioned by him in conjunction with many other 
then magnificent examples growing in this demesne. Charm'ng views of 
the surrounding country are to be obtained in this park, owing to its high 
situation. A splendid herd of deer lend by their graceful forms a charm¬ 
ing addition to the beauties of the scenery. 
Turning to the pleasure gardens surrounding the mansion we find 
much that is of interest. As seen from the engraving the grounds imme¬ 
diately in front of the principal entrance contain a great number of very 
large Elms. A fine terrace, too, is formed around the mansion in order to 
harmonise the sloping lawn with the mansion. Bold and sk lfully dis¬ 
posed groups of Rhododendrons and choice shrubs form a pleasing fore¬ 
ground to a picture which must be truly lovely in early spring. The large 
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum calycinum) is employed to good effect in 
covering bare and unsightly places underneath the shade of the large 
trees. Stretching far away from the limits of the front lawn is a valley 
richly studded with trees, and further still glimpses are to be seen of the 
towering steeples, &c., of busy London and its noble river. In Evelyn’s 
time scarcely a house was to be seen or even a steeple, as this side of the 
river was then rich in umbrageous dells and amphitheatres of noble trees. 
looks very pretty in spring and summer. Foxgloves are encouraged to 
grow in abundance, and very charming they look when in flower. Various 
other good old-fashioned plants are quite at home growing among the 
t-hrubs. On the right hand side of the lawn is a noble specimen of the 
Horse Chestnut. The branches of this tree descend from the main stem 
or trunk to the ground. Th'-se have taken root, and are in their turn 
forming trees, some of which are of considerable size. It can well be 
imagined what a noble appearance such an example of this handsome 
tree presents, with a diameter through the centre of the branches of 
upwards of 70 feet! 
Following a winding grass walk we come to the Rose garden, sheltered 
on all sides from winds, in which are growing a good selection of Roses. 
Similar winding grass paths leading through the shrubberies under a 
canopy of foliage, where giant Aucubas and Rhododendrons are thriving 
in great luxurian e, now and then opening up to view some new point 
of attraction and interest, and rendering it a delightful promenade, 
e a pecially when I saw it during the fierce heat of August last. Spring 
flowers come up in abundance in this sylvan garden. The margins of tire 
j shrubberies are planted with various herbaceous plants, such as Phloxes 
Fig. 2.—CHARLTON HOUSE. 
But things are altered since then—thousands of houses are now nestling 
for miles round at the foot of the hill. Moving to the western front we 
have a view of a thousand natural beau'ies in the shape of picturesque 
scenery—richly wooded hills and dales. The hand of man has not as yet 
ruthlessly destroyed the character of its scenery. In the formation of 
the lawn facing this front no attempt was made to introduce meaningless 
walks. Nature has been consulted to a great extent, thereby avoiding 
much of the formalism so conspicuous in the design of many gardens. A 
bold and free style has been adopted here. The lawn stretches away 
boldly for a considerable distance, and is separated from the park by a 
ha-ha. The splendid avenue of Elms previously mentioned commences 
at the end of the lawn. Bold and sweeping belts of hardy shrubs and 
trees flank each side of the lawn. The margins of these belts are en¬ 
livened in summer by masses of bright showy bedding plants, which 
render them very attractive. Winding walks occur through the interior 
of these belts, which are here and there of considerable dimensions. In 
one of these there is a splendid avenue of ancient Yews, which are sup- 
pesed to have been in existence long before the present mansion was built. 
Fvelyn also mentions in his “Sylva” of a fine row of the evergreen 
Cypress then growing there, but all have disappeared save a solitary 
specimen. A very large trunk of Robiuia Pseud-Acacia stands in the 
shrubbery, having lost its branches in the last century. The late Sir 
Thomas Wilson caused a plant of the Traveller’s Joy Clematis to be 
planted against the trunk of this tree, which has almost covered it, and 
Funkias, Monkshood, Statice cordifolia, and many others. We must not 
omit to mention the “ Lime Tree Walk,” on each side of which are some 
fine Lime trees, also a very fine specimen of the Judas Tree. The late 
S r Thomas, as a botanist and true lover of gardening, made many 
improvements in the pleasure ground as well as planting many beautiful 
trees. Retracing our steps, we arrive at the southern end of the mansion 
and pass through an ancient gateway into a small enclosure surrounded on 
all sides by an old wall ; this is cslltd the Dutch flower garden. This is, 
in fact, the only flower garden existing here in the ordinary sense of the 
term, as the beautiful lawns are not deprived of their boldness and 
extensiveness by being cut up into formal beds. In this enclosure, 
then, we found beds of Gaillardia grandiflora, Phlox Drummondi, 
Chinese Pinks, Violas, and other shiwy annuals. I was particularly 
struck with the bed of Gaillardias, these making a most effective 
display. Mr. E. Gilbert (the courteous gardener and steward) states 
that he raises his stock every year from cuttings in precisely the 
same way as bedding Calceolarias are done. An old Fig tree is 
growing rampantly asainst one of the walls, as also are Easter 
Beurrd and Duchesse d’Aogouifime Pears, trained horizontally. Leading 
out of this garden is a small kitchen garden and reserve ground. The 
old-faahioned herbaceous borders occur around the walks. In these are 
growing large clumps of the old White P.nk and other useful plants for 
affording cut flowers. Id ihe reserve bsrders are seed beds of a splendid 
strain of Pentstemons in fl >wer, also Hollyhocks, Campanulas, and other 
