May 5—The dignified Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is now in full flower and the tall Mower spikes, rising out of a mass of handsome leaves, are adding charm to the herbaceous border. "Fairy thimbles," as these lowers are often called, are bienniats; but they will flower with the sine treatment as that given to one nals. This year, we have seen beds of plants grown from seed sown late in September, the flower spikes are not so tall as those on plants grown (rom earlier sowings, but they were very pretty, nevertheless. We did not seo any foxgloves in a charming little garden we visited fon Tunsin Road a few days ago, but there were dozens of other annual in flower: as a matter of fact, the place was literally a mass of bloom, 'There was a garden within' garden on the fast side of the residence: a white "Wendy" house, looking very neat and tidy with its wine dow boxes full of scarlet geraniums and. its white garden railings enclosing a small garden planted with violets and phlox and protected from cold winds by a tall euonymus hedge. In front of the "Wendy" house there is a. very high swing which must give much pleasure 10 the youngsters, for all members of the younger generation love to "fy" so high as they can do on the swing we saw. The lawn is divided into two sections by a large group of trees growing, a mound: there were maples, flowering peaches and many other trees with a bed of verbena here and there and an occasional globe artichoke to add a touch of colour to the sce Along the east side of the garden, fronting mixed shrubbery, a large flower-bed was looking very gay with antlrehinums, pansies, phox, stocks, "larkspurs and' other plants. A closely clippett "Box" hedge along the front of the terrace gave it a neat appearance and provided 2 nice foreground for the geraniums and agaves. Tulips in the beds In front must have been beautiful a few weeks ago, for there were plenty of flower stalks when we saw them. On the west side of the garden there is another long flower border which Is a mass of colour in front of a Wisteria-covered pergola that separates the flower garden from the vegetable section. Further south, red maples-were bright ening up the garden, while hollies and cercis shrubs were planted as "dot" Plants on the lawn. The vegetable garden was well stocked with plenty of good things to ea as (ell as young bedding plants for Autumn May 7—There are few trees more attractive when in bloom than the Horse Chestnut. We saw a tree of the pink-flowered Aesculus cornea about ten days ago, while on Sunday we were admiring a fine specimen of what we believe to be the Japanese Horse Chestnut (A. tur-Dinata). The individual flowers of the latter were smaller than those of the European species Dut the tree was almost perfect. It was growing in" group on the lawn so perhaps its posi. tion had something to do with its shape: posure docs help a tree to develop correctly. Tt twas covered with terminal panicles of flowers which showed to advantage against its hand. some leaves. The pink-flowered species was growing Ina more sheltered position in another garden and although the tree was not quite so symmetrical ay the one seen on Sunday, it was a gorgeous sight: the pink flowers were vers attractive and showy. We notice that the Water Lily is starting to flower: the one we saw was probably Numphew alba, its flowers were larger than those of the Chinese spedes N. pyomaa. Garderiers are heinning to get busy preparing for the Flower Show scheduled to be held on May 24 and 25, We notice many Ivy-leaved and other geraniumy being carefully trained fo bam~ Boo frames, while ina garden on Aventie Hal, we saw six beautiful pots of the Star Jasmine (Prachelospermim jasminoldes). They were very large plants and in full flower—a gorgeous sight—and we hope that they are not over by the time the Flower Show comes along. This plant is often called the white Jasmine and a few. years ago we had many enquiries for it from England where it does not appear 10 be too plentiful. Tt iv a native of China and the branches have the same habit as Ivy; they emit Toots when they come Into contact with moist places and the plant soon covers a large area if Toft undisturbed. The largest specimen we know Is growing on the bungalow at "Delaware Heights." It's propagated by the Insertion of half-ripened cultings and It is well worth growing for its handsome foliage ay well as its Aeliciously fragrant flowers—W.k, May 10—A heavy downpour of rain did not Prevent us going to see Mrs. Gande's roses this morning. We like the freshness of a garden afler rain; many of the weaker Mowers hang their heads, it is true: but the trees and shrubs look brighter than they do at other times and the colours of the leaves show to belter ad~ vantage. We saw some beautiful roses in the garden and first place must be given to "Mme Gregoire Stacchelin." What a charming rose this hybridtea Is! The flowers are very large and of a delicate pink colour, the petals being attractively curled. It would be dificult to find better specimen than that In Mrs. Gande's garden, It ig planted on the east side of the house and it has grown about 25 foet high, The flow: them; appeared to add to their beauty when fom round level. Climbing "Lady Hil. growing almost as' strong as the preceding, which is rather surprising when we consider that it is growing on the south side of the house in full sun. This rose is producing [deep orange-yellow flowers In great profusion, dozens of them being open at the present time.
Blaze" and "Etoile de Hollands" other climbers soon attached to the walls the house. "Blaze" Is the more vigorous of the {wo and this bears scarlet lowers not unlike Paul's Scarlet Climber, but Inrger. The climbing lille de Hollanide" may not be sich 9 vigorous grower og "Blazo™ oF the others previously mentioned, but its flowers and foliage make up for any faults if may have. The flowers are deep crimson, shadowed black and they are very sweetscénted: the foliage Is large, healthy. and dari green. We have a specimen before us ax we write and it has been a dificult Job to Keep it during the afternoon: we have had 10 retrieve it {rom more than one handbag!!! The ower is only half open, a long, pointed bud measuring almost three inches from the base 0 the top of the petals: its fragrance Is deUghtful. ""Alberic Barbier" was also making.
fine show; but this small-Aowered Rambler suffered by comparison with the larger-flowered varieties close. by. A abler that we saw in flower on a rustic are ray nearby may have been "Golden Rambler," 4 beautiful little rose flowering in clusters, An "full of buds but not yet in ing another archway. Amongst "Karen" and "Kirsten Poulsen" were making a fine show, these hybrid polyantha roses are hard to beat for hedge Planting. There are many standard roses grow ing in the garden and amongst them we saw the beautiful "Golden Gleam" which produces those charming flowers that have a splash. of searlet_on the petaly whilst In bud, "Lady Forteviot" was producing "its "golden-yellow Mowers, shaded apricot and there were many others too numerous to mention—w.l.k,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.