reverence for the grand old heritage and that sound taste and knowledge
that create and maintain well and wisely.
From the portions of the site of the old moat that are now grass, a turf
slope rises to a height of about eight feet. On the upper level is a
gravel walk, and beyond it a yew hedge about four feet high, with
ornaments of peacocks cut in it at the principal openings, and of ball
and such-like forms at other apertures. This is on the level of the main
parterre. A wide gravel path divides the garden into two equal portions,
swinging round in the middle space to give place to a circular
grass-plot with a sundial.
This beautiful place offers so few details that can be adversely
criticised that these few are the more noticeable. The sundial has a
handsome shaft, but should stand upon a much wider step. The
introduction of pyramid fruit-trees at concentric points, both here and
in other parts of the design, is an experiment of doubtful value, that
will probably never add to the pictorial value of the design. The garden
critic may also venture to suggest that the pergola, which is well
placed at the eastern end of the parterre, deserves better piers than
its posts of fir. Here would be the place for some simple use of
specially made bricks, such as a pier hexagonal in plan built of bricks
of two shapes, diamond and triangle, two inches thick, with a wide
mortar joint. Each course would take two bricks of each shape, and their
disposition, alternating with each succeeding course, would secure an
admirable bond.
The great parterre has main divisions of grass paths twelve feet wide,
each subdivision--four on each side of the cross-walk and sundial--of
eight three-sided beds disposed Union-Jack-wise, with bordering beds
stopped by a clipped Box-bush at each end. Narrow grass walks are
between the beds. The borders are roomy enough to accommodate some of
the largest of the good hardy flowers, for the garden is given to these,
not to “bedding stuff.” Here are some of the tall perennial Sunflowers,
eight feet high; the great autumn Daisy (_Pyrethrum uliginosum_); bushes
of Lavender with Pentstemons growing through them--a capital
combination, doing away with the need of staking the Pentstemons; the
last of the Phloxes; for the time of the picture, which was painted in
this part of the garden, is September.
This bold use of autumnal border flowers invites the exercise of
invention and ingenuity; for instance, August is the main time for the
flowering of Lavender, and, though a thinner crop succeeds the heavier
normal yield, yet the bushes then look thin of bloom. Clematises,
purple, lilac and white, can be planted among them, and can easily be
guided, by an occasional touch with the hand, to run over the Lavender
bushes. The same capital autumn flowers should be planted with the
handsome white Everlasting Pea. The Pea is supported by stout branching
spray and does its own good work in July. When the bloom is over it is
cut off, and the Clematis, which has been growing by its side with a
support of rather slighter spray, is drawn close to the foliage of the
Pea and spreads over it.
The working out of such simple problems is one of the many joys of the
good gardener; and every year, with its increased experience, brings
with it a greater readiness in the invention of such happy
combinations.
[Illustration: CHINA ROSES AND LAVENDER, PALMERSTOWN