5 JULY 1940, Page 18

In the Garden

The most beautiful of the mallows, Abutilon vitifolium, was cut down but not killed by frost. It is an aristocrat among wall-shrubs. The soft green leaves are vine-shaped, the stems olive-green. The flowers are large silver-mauve cups, not so stiff as hollyhocks, with centres of bright orange. Their beauty comes out clearly against a wall of quiet grey stone: a lovely sight. H. E. BATES.