THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
DECEMBER 1, 1902. 
es 
SN 
These gardens are attractive at all sea- 
sons, but when the Roses are in flower, 
when the water garden is at its best, and 
the trees are radiant in their spring foliage, 
they are quite irresistible. On that broad 
expanse of lawn one can breathe freely, 
and enjoy to the utmost the extensive view 
it commands of the surroundings. On this 
particular morning there was just enough 
breeze to silver the poplars, and to make 
Malvern Gardens, Victoria. 
the long grass shimmer, just enough sun 
to intensify the colors, just enough 
shadow to multiply the tones. Through 
the dark pines a little distant, delightful 
vistas of sunny uplands, with scattered red- 
roofed cottages, an occasional cyprus, sen- 
tinel-like, dark and grim, but picturesque, 
undefined masses of soft foliage, hollows 
veiled in blue mist, beyond all the ranges 
ever so faintly blue and melting into the 
distances. Here, then, are the advantages 
=) Sees 
of the situation, this view that lends such 
enchantment to the scene and the slope of 
the gardens by which the effect is so won- 
derfully enhanced; no uninteresting, im- 
possible dead levels to deal with, but a ris- 
ing ground lending itself to artistic treat- 
ment. This is no doubt due to the wise 
forethought of Mr. Pockett, to whom they 
owe their existence. 
What an adept in the art of innocent de- 
ception the landscape gardener is. Here, 
for instance, the eye travels over the cool 
green turf where the clover is coming out 
“Tn constellations on the lawn” 
over multi-colored flower beds and a per- 
spective of small lawn and soft shrubby 
things, amongst which the unique blue of 
Ceanothas divaricatus stands out in high 
relief. Beyond all a distant vista framed 
in soft foliage, a vista of delicate green and 
View of Water Garden, 
‘Malvern Gardens. 
THE MALVERN GARDENS 
sre. 
aN 
vague intermingling tints, and the rich 
glowing crimson of Mesembryanthemums. 
It might be miles away, the effect is so ad- 
mirable. In reality, it is not much more 
than a stone’s throw. It is only one of 
many peeps. This is a happy hunting 
ground for the artist and photographer. ~ 
What a depth of shade under those oaks. 
They have not seen fifteen summers in 
these gardens, and yet they almost cover 
View of Rose Garden, showing method of training Roses. 
the pink gravel path that goes winding, 
winding in and out in a serpentine line 
till it loses itself among the trees. Golden 
oaks and variegated Géprosma give a bril- 
liant touch of gold to the foliage. Kleinia 
is made effective use of as a border plant; 
in color not glaucous quite, and yet not 
blue nor grey. It forms a subtle contrast 
to the warm greens with which it is group- 
ed. Yonder is another charming border 
plant not.often used for the purpose, the 
sS 
