Small Gardens, and How to Make the Most of Them

s, and How t

eath them-Selection of hardy shr

ewals are made, very little can be grown in their immediate vicinity; the class of plants that will do best beneath their branches also find the soil they are growing in best renewed by the leaves which fall therefrom. For the sake of tidiness, these of course are swept away, but they should be kept for two or three yea

choose the large kind; those elegant varieties with long pointed leaves are more ornamental and just as easy to grow. Their roots must be restricted when other plants are near, or they will soon take up all the room. Ferns will do very well under trees, if they are plentifully watered during the dry season. Here also a few of the choicest kinds

hed turf of it; strong clumps cost about 1s. 6d. each; plenty of water must be given

and in summer when the golden cups filled with anthers issue forth from the axils of the leaves, the effect is beautiful. Hypericum calycinum is the Latin term for these plants, and though they will do on the drye

he aubrietias flower with unfailing regularity under trees, even when the aspect is north, and no gleam of sunshine reaches them; their greyish-green rosettes resist drought splendidly,

dicular surfaces, such as the steep side of a bank or hedge. A raised border, with facing of bricks, is rather

meander charmingly over the roughest stones, and in the most dreary spots; their glossy ever-green leaves, and fresh bright little flowerets always looking cheerful whatever the weather. They creep quickly, rooting every few inches as t

wers, all will make a fair show if planted out just before flowering, but, unless a few hours' sun daily shines on th

specially those which blossom before the new leaves on t

le soil suits them best). Tulips only do well when planted afresh every autumn; but, as they are so cheap, that is not a great matter. The megaseas, mentioned in another

wers, and then succumb. Even pansies wilt and gradually fade away under trees, for their soft, weak stems and

the shrub tribe succeed very well, particularly barberry, pernettyas,

ave the added charm of novelty. One of the nicest for small gardens is cotoneaster microphylla; this is a joy to look at, all through the winter months, when it is at its best; the branches grow in an uncommon manner, and are of somewhat prostrate habit; they are thickly clothed with dark, small leaves the whole way up the stem, and shining amongst them are the pretty crimson, almost transparent berries. It is quite distinct f

will do in almost any position; it bears lovely yellow flowers in spring, purple powdered berries in August, and the foliag

er is the month for most other shrubs. The old pyrus japonica makes a good bush, though most often grow on a wall; its bright flowers, carmine-scarlet in colour with yellow anthers in the centre, appear early in April, a week or two later than the climbers, which of course are protected. When grown in bush form, it is sometimes

asts. There is a magnificent specimen in the nurseries of Messrs. Veitch, Kingston Hill, Surrey, planted about 1865; its ornamental appearance is greatly due to the number of young branches springing ou

nclude all the good sorts; a variety that bears fruit when quite young is ilex glabrum, of which they have a large

ican visitors to our gardens are bright and cheerful. The dwarf erica carnea, both pink and white, show their buds as early as November, and

; its beauty lies in the red glow of its leafless

d a habit somewhat like the valerian. The snow-berry is good in autumn and winter, havi

junipers are most fascinating little trees, with flat spreading branches of the loveliest shade o

size and colour it will be as well to examine the stems close to the soil, and you will probably find a fine crop of suckers; all these mu

low jasmine, with its golden stars on leafless stems. Just as the latter, however, is going out

and white flowers and easy cultivation. They bloom late in spring, and should be placed by preference against a

of those shrubs that should not be overlooked on any account; its leaves are somewhat like those of a heliotrope, and its flowers are blu

In early August it is a striking sight, with its curious inflorescence quite

the way they should go, by pinching out shoots which would tend to give a lop-sided effect. Such things as firs must be unobtrusively staked till they are able to support themselves, as symmetrical growth is part of their charm, and we must remember that "as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined." Standard rhododendrons require to be very carefully staked until they have a fair hold of the ground, or their big heads are caught by the wind, and this loosens the soil to such an ex

e-white flowers, and a graceful habit. The shade of the shrub is most beneficial to the lilies, as they dislike strong sunsh