The end of June and beginning of July--when the days are hot and long,
and the earth is warm, and our summer flowers are in fullest mass and
beauty--what a time of gladness it is, and of that full and thankful
delight that is the sure reward for the labour and careful
thoughtfulness of the last autumn and winter, and of the present earlier
year!
The gardens where this reward comes in fullest measure are perhaps those
modest ones of small compass where the owner is the only gardener, at
any rate as far as the flowering plants are concerned; where he thinks
out good schemes of plant companionship; of suitable masses of form and
stature; of lovely colour-combination; where, after the day’s work,
comes the leisurely stroll, when every flower greets and is greeted as a
close friend, and all make willing offering of what they have of scent
and loveliness in grateful return for the past loving labour.
This is the high tide time of the summer flowers. It may be a week or
two earlier or later according to the district, for our small islands
have climatic diversities such as can only be matched within the greater
part of the whole area of middle Europe, though inclining to a temperate
average. For the Myrtle of the Mediterranean is quite hardy in the South
and South-West, and Ivy and Gorse, neither of which is hardy in North
and Middle Germany, are, with but few exceptions, at home everywhere.
Given, therefore, a moderately good soil, fair shelter and a true love
of flowers, there will be such goodly masses as those shown in the
pictures.
Advisedly is the word “true” lover of flowers used, for it is now
fashionable to like flowers, and much of it is pretence only. The test
is to ascertain whether the person professing devotion to a garden works
in
[Illustration: ORANGE LILIES AND LARKSPUR