MRS. J. C : RATHBONE’S GARDEN AT REFUGE PLANTATION 
Pink, white, blue, and lavender is the color scheme in this garden on the banks of the Mississippi and here flourish Alyssum, Pansies, Phlox, Cornflowers, Cali¬ 
fornia Poppies, Belladonna Larkspur, Snapdragons, Lupins, Pink Beilis, Baby’s-breath, Madonna Lilies and many Roses (including Duchesse de Brabant, 
Radiance, and the lovely coppery-toned Madame Edouard Herriot). Hedges, quite eleven feet high, of Oleander, Privet. Ligustrum, Bay, Arborvitae, 
Bamboo, and Pittosporum shut it in a charming secrecy though not so close as to obscure the sails of ships going by. Awarded the Henderson cup in 1921 
GARDEN SPOTS IN OLD NEW ORLEANS 
CECILE WILLINK 
Where the Flavor of Ancient France Lingers in Mellowing Beauty and Flowers Grow in 
Tropical Luxuriance Fostered by the Intelligent Enthusiasm of a Very Up-to-date Club 
“The city of my dreams, bathed in the gold of eternal summer - Oh, the silence, the perfume, and the romance of it." 
Lafcadio Hearn 
M OR all their witching variety, New Orleans gardens 
possess certain dominant characteristics in common, 
like family traits and traditions unconsciously lived up 
to, and it is in these that they differ from other gardens, 
for you must know, or else take it on faith, that they are differ¬ 
ent. 
Their very profusion is one difference. When flowers bloom 
bravely in tomato cans; gayly down the centre of spacious 
streets; around public buildings, churches and convents; in 
nooks and crannies; and in the yards of rich and poor, their 
spendthrift opulence is worthy of attention. What’s more, 
these gardens bloom the year round—though, of course, they 
cannot give themselves airs for this distinction, thanks being 
due the semi-tropical climate. 
One of the charmingest distinctions of New Orleans gardens 
is the lacy iron fences that enclose them. For just as everybody 
has a garden, almost every garden has a fence. Only occa¬ 
sionally do New Orleans gardens hobnob with the sidewalk, or 
“ banquette,” as it is still called. The name is a diminutive of 
“banque,” given it by the early emigres, who brought over 
“gardens enclosed,” and courtyards, and also the old European 
custom of secluded family life. The Old World manner of living 
is still observed in New Orleans in many ways: it is evidenced 
in the perpetually closed front shutters of many homes; in the 
locked gates which must be opened before the door is reached; 
and in the charming, shrubbery-hidden, high-fenced gardens. 
Some of the fences are low, though many are four and five feet 
and even higher; many are walls of brick or concrete with post¬ 
ern gates or lattice doors; and the lure of not a few is in rare pat¬ 
terns of exquisite, old wrought iron. 
Then there’s the prodigal use of vine and shrub. Garden 
walls and fences are garmented in beauty by these lovely tresses 
of nature; prosaic angles of the garage and servants’ house are 
changed by them into a maze of evergreen curves; and planted 
at the base of trees, vines climb into the branches with very 
pleasing effect, especially Wisteria, Bignonia, and the Trumpet- 
vine. Deep blue Morning-glories and the Coral-vine (also 
known as Rosa Montana and Cadena d'Arnor) are also effective. 
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