GARDEN PATHS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1939, Page 5

GARDEN PATHS

• . SUITABLE EDGINGS. Flower beds, and paths edged with dwarf flowering plants, are much more attractive than those having edgings of tiles, stones or cement. For one thing, they are less formal in appearance, and also provide a means of cultivating large numbers of attractive rock plants. Where the path is well below the level of the adjoining lawn, a rock edging is ideal. This is especially valuable where there is not sufficient space for a rock garden proper. By the side of the path many choice rock plants can be cultivated, provided a little care is exercised in preparing the site. If masses of colour are required, it is merely necessary to arrange a few stones along the edge, fill in the spaces between them with soil, and plant small tufts of some of the easier grown rock plants. Saxifr.aga ceratophylla, a plant which in winter forms cushions of verdant foliage, and in early summer is smothered with spikes of white flowers, is admirable for the purpose. Campanula portenschlagiana is also ideal, as it creeps so rapidly over the stones, which it covets with deep green foliage and bell shaped blue flowers. Another saxifrage, well adapted for planting on a rock edging, is S. bathoniensis, as it is evergreen and bears large numbers of deep crimson flowers in early summer. Where an edging of one type of plant is preferred, there ate many suitable kinds. If the soil is light and sandy, the sea pink (Armeria maritima) is hard to beat. Old clumps may be divided into small pieces, and if these are dibbled in along the border, they will quickly form a continuous edging with evergreen ttlfts of foliage. When in full bloom, the round heads of pink blossoms make a charming display. Aubretia plants, raised from a packet of mixed seeds, will edge the path with a blaze of multicoloured blooms, and provide an attractive feature throughout the summer.