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SOME XOBLE HAEDY PLANTS FOE THE ELOWEE 

 GAEDEN. 



BY KAKL PKOSPEE. 



[HEEE are many hardy plants of quite noble character 

 that are as yet comparatively unknown in English 

 gardens. It cannot be a mistake to mention them, 

 with a few words as to their appearances and habits, 

 and the cultivation they require ; for they are, generally 

 speaking, inexpensive in the first instance, and require no glass 

 houses and no expensive appliances or long-tried skill to keep them 

 when they are once obtained. I shall in this paper direct attention 

 to a few that I think should have a place in every garden where 

 handsome hardy plants are valued. First let me make a few remarks 

 on some that are tolerably well known, yet are not to be found in 

 many of the gardens of persons who nevertheless appreciate beau- 

 tiful plants. The Pampas grass (Gynermm argenteum) is one of 

 the most noble of all ; but unfortunately, in many of the eastern 

 and northern parts of England, it was destroyed by frost in the 

 winters of 1860-61, and 1866-67. But as it is cheap and grows 

 fast, its occasional destruction should not be an argument for its 

 omission from any garden. It was at first recommended to plant 

 this grass in richly-manured damp hollows, and it is true that in 

 such spots it grows most luxuriantly. But as it comes from a 

 warmer climate than this, it is far safer to plant it on a mound in 

 rich loam, as in such a case it has a good opportunity of growing 

 freely, and in the event of a severe winter is so comparatively dry 

 at the root (being elevated) it has a chance of escaping injury. A 

 fine example of it is one of the most elegant objects that can be 

 found in a garden, and the flower-spikes may be cut and kept for 

 winter bouquets, and will last several years similar to this. But of 

 dwarfer growth is the new reed grass, 



Arunclo consplcua, which begins to bloom in June, whereas the 

 pampas does not bloom till October. This, though fond of moisture, 

 is safest on an elevated bank, and I can say from observation, that 

 though in a very dry position it does not suifer, though in its native 

 clime it is a marsh grass. 



The Trltoma uvaria is one of the grandest flowering plants it is 

 possible to plant in an English garden, and so cheap and easily 

 grown, that I really wonder it is so scarce that I only see it in such 

 as I call good places. It may be planted in the most exposed 

 garden in this country with perfect safety ; even the terrible frost 

 of January last did not, I believe, kill a single plant anywhere ; 

 certainly I have seen it survive that frost unhurt, in gardens where 

 the Pampas and Arundo conspicua in the same bed were destroyed. 

 Plant it in ground heavily manured, and leave it alone several years ; 

 its splendour is not to be described, and it is not like anything else 

 in cultivation. 



Having mentioned these two fine subjects, I will now more par- 



