Aquatic Plants for Every One's Garden 



By Samuel D. Zehring, Massachusetts 



In most any garden, regardless of size, shape or con- 

 ditions of the grounds, water may be introduced, provid- 

 ing it be in harmony with its surroundings. Where 

 natural sheets of water do not occur, an artificial pond 

 is of easy construction. These are usually more or less 

 formal or geometric in outline. The restriction of cer- 

 tain plants is more pronounced here than in the natural 

 lake; and almost limited to the lilies and grasses. If 

 the more tender aquatics are to be used, it is important 

 to protect the pond from north winds by trees and shrubs, 

 evergreens preferably, placed back far enough not to 

 over-shadow the waters. 



Probably no aquatic is more appreciated than the Xym- 

 phaeas. Their colors range from purest white, through 

 delicate pinks to deep reds ; from purples to lightest 

 blues ; and from pale \ellows to deeper salmon. They 

 dilTer not only in color, but in their time of blooming. 

 Some open at (la\ break, others later in the dav. while 

 the Nymphaea Lotus appears with the evening star, and 

 with others remain open throughout the night. .Most of 

 the blossoms float on the surface of the water, but some 

 are carried 18 inches above the surface and vary in size 

 from 3 inches to 15 inches in diameter. .\ few of the 

 stronger ones rise to a hei,ght of 6 to 8 feet. 



-As to grasses which may be well grown in the formal 

 pool, the long, narrow leaved ones, ornamental or col- 

 ored, are better than the larger coarse plants, except such 

 as Caladiums. which are quite attractive about the foun- 

 tain. 



Erianlhus Ravennae. resembling the Pampas Grass 

 in habit and flowers, is one of the best. The leaves and 

 stems are tinged with pm-ple. and the flower plumes are 

 Ijorne on stems .t to 10 feet high. It should have a deep, 

 rich soil and be exposed to the sim. 



Eulalia gracillimus has narrow, green leaves, witli a 

 white stripe down the center of each. It is very grace- 

 ful with its leaves. 8 feet in length, drooping to the 

 ground. It attains its greatest development when used 

 as a specimen plant. 



The well known Pampas Grass (Gynerium argen- 

 teum) is one of the best we have, but is rather tender 

 and should only be used on sheltered position. 



The Calamus gives several good varieties. Acorns 

 gramineus variegatus is one of the most attractive, with 

 its narrow, grass-like leave; striped with white. It does 

 well in moist soil or shallow water. 



C\perus alternifolius. tlie Umbrella Plant, makes a 

 beautiful specimen, growing 3 feet in height, and send- 

 ing up symmetrically shaped leaves radiating from the 

 tips of the stenis. having the same tufted head as C}perus 

 Papyrus. 



For the natural ponds and streams, almost any of the 

 water-plants can be used to advantage, and from the 

 almost unlimited assortment, the gardener can produce 

 any effect or motif desired. But for the natural planting, 

 the variegated forms would best be omitted excei:t in 

 few occasions. 



When a background is desired, any of the evergreens 

 may be used. Rhododendrons also, give excellent re- 

 sidts when planted at the water's edge where their charms 

 are doubled and enhanced. The Kalmias, like the Rhod- 

 odendron, delights in a moist, peaty soil, and is one of 

 our most charming native plants. Neither of these should 

 be planted on a small island, but on the mainland, where 

 their mass will not counter-balance their setting. 



Cornus Stolonifera. growing 6 to 8 feet in height, is 



very effective along the water. The leaves are light 

 green above, and pale beneath. Its attractiveness is even 

 greater in the winter when its bright red growth is so 

 prominent. To preserve its beauty a severe pruning is 

 necessary in the spring. 



Magnolia glauca also finds itself at home in the 

 swamps. It is a slirub-tree with bluish green leaves, 

 and sweet-scented, cream-colored flowers. 



Cyperus I'apyrus is one of the most graceful plants 

 in the water gartlen. It should be planted in a box of 

 soil and set a few inches below the surface of the water. 

 Its long stems grow 10 to 15 feet high, and bear fluffy 

 plumes of fine grass-like leaves at their tips. It is tender 

 and must be protected. 



Lizard's Tail ( Saururus cernuus ) is fine for the mar- 

 gin. It is a hardy perennial with heart-shaped leaves, 

 and fragrant white flowers. It reaches 2Vj feet in 

 height. 



Typha latifolia. the common Cat Tail is well adapted 

 for planting along the water. The leaves are flat, long 

 and narrow. The flower is a brown cylindrical spike, 

 borne on a 6-foot stalk. 



Calathea zibrina requires a shady spot. Tlie leaves, 

 3 feet long and half as wide, are a beautifully velvet 

 green, barred with purplish green. 



Fatsia papyrifera is an interesting plant. .S feet high. 

 Its leaves are cordate, 5 to 7 lobed, and about 1 foot in 

 diameter. 



Monstera deliciiosa is a good border plant with per- 

 forated leaves. 3 feet long and 1 foot wide. The margins 

 are deeply cut. 



-Acorus calamus has erect lance-shaped leaves, 3 feet 

 hi.gh. and does well in shallow water. 



Pontederia cordate, the Pickerel Weed, is one of the 

 handsomest of aquatics for shallow plants. It grows 

 2 feet high, bearing purple flowers throughout the sum- 

 mer. 



Many other plants mav be used and each having a 

 place that can be filled b}- no other. Besides the foliage 

 af(uatics. there are a great many perennials adapted to 

 moist soils and useful for their flowers. 



Proliably none in this class are so common nor yet so 

 fine as the iris which has been so emphasized in the 

 Japanese gardens. A great variety of tints, shades, and 

 combination of colors are to be found here in the vari- 

 ous types. They are particularly fine for massing along 

 the open margin of the lake or bordering a small stream 

 in clumps. 



The flowering rushes resemble the Iris in foliage. They 

 grow 3 feet high and bear rose-colored flowers. 



Dicentra spectabilis, while not preferring wet soil, de- 

 light in a moist shady spot, where they reach 2 feet in 

 height, and send out long, graceful recemes of rosy- 

 crimson flowers. 



Lobelia cardinalis should be largely used annmd the 

 pond. It grows 2 to 4 feet high and its flowers are 

 bright, cardinal red. on long spikes, from July to Sep- 

 tember. 



Spirfea aruncus, one of the finesr, grows luxuriantly 

 in a rich moist soil or at the water's edge. It stands 3 to 5 

 feet high, with beautifully divided leaves and white 

 .gracefullv drooping plumes in June and July. 



This article hardly seems complete without mention- 

 ing the Wee]iing Willow always seen along the pond. 

 Its most fitting place is by a falls where the vertical lines 

 of the water will be in harmonv with those of the tree. 



