THOSE AWKWARD CORNERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20448, 30 June 1928, Page 3

THOSE AWKWARD CORNERS.

There are in many gardens small spaces that arc decidedly ugly, and out of keeping with the general effect. Spaces too small in which to grow things successfully and odd corners where nothing will grow. I have often seen awkward corners made bright by sowing a small packet of Shirley JPoppy, or a plot where nothing would grow simply paved with square blocks, and ornamented by tubs of flowers, making quite an effective feature- ‘ In my garden was one particular “ eyesore ” in tho shape of a plot oi land behind a flower border at one end of the lawn. This plot had a path along two sides of it, and along the othei two sides were currant bushes and the hack of the flower border. It had usually been utilised in the production of “ lessor ” vegetables. One day last spring, however, I: had a brilliant idea, to do a little designing and paving, and to construct a. small sanctuary. First of all I dug up the existing pathway, and .aade the plot go right up to a wall at one end. The next thing was to cut a path through the flower bed from tho lawn. A drystone wall supplied me with stones, and t started to make a scries of shallow steps across the border. In the centre of the plot 1 laid the stones in a ring and worked on until I had a complete circular rockery filled, and from this centrepiece I laid turf paths to cether end of the little garden. The time spent in doing this was altogether a day and a-half, but I feel that I had accomplished something. Then I planned how it should best be planted. In the border at one end I would have sunflowers and delphiniums to hide the currant bushes. There were also to bo Anchuea Dropmore, golden gaillardias, old-fashioned marigolds, veronicas, and campanulas, and the border edging,_ a peculiar little yellow-leaved nettle, with its tiny mauve flower. On one side of the 'first grass path were to be rny favourite roses and carnations; while on the other I intended to have “ white ” annuals. The other borders I would plant with stocks and pink annuals. Thus the scheme of my fancy. The garden last summer was a perfect dream. 1 have placed a figure in the centre of the rockery, and in one corner is a covered shelter over which a com-mon-wild clematis is gradually creeping, to meet the sweetbriar planted at the entrance. Against the wall the ivy is cut away to make room for a plaque, which bears upon it the beautiful thought: “ A garden is a lovesomc thing. Nay, but I have a sign ; ’Tis very sure God walks in mine.” IV.R.E., in Amateur Gardening.