IRISH GARDENING. 



23 



at Mount Us.sher in Co. Wicklow, where water is 

 plentiful and made good use of. In the par- 

 ticular view here given advantage has been 

 taken of a small stream which runs through a 

 little valley just inside the main entrance. The 

 ground on each side of the stream is low, and 

 rises very gradually to a higher level, where 

 various choice shrubs find a congenial home. 

 Next the water, where the soil is always moist, 

 colonies of moisture-loving plants are grown, 

 and in spring and early summer make a fine 

 display. On the right of the picture will be 

 noticed a fine piece of the beautiful Himalayan 

 Gaultheria nummularifolia. which, rejoices in 

 moist sandy peat ; while on the left are many 

 colonies of 

 Primulas of 

 various kinds, 

 and standing 

 out promin- 

 ently Avill be 

 noticed the 

 h a n d s o m e 

 spikes of a 

 Dodecatheon 

 or American 

 Cowslip, as it 

 is called. 



The possi- 

 bilities in this 

 kind of gar- 

 dening are 

 infinite, given 

 the necessary 

 water, either 

 natural or 

 artificial. 



In addition 

 to the Prim- 

 roses of many 

 kinds, 8pi- 



rteas, Astilbes, Scarlet Lobelias, Lysimachias, 

 Trolliuses or Globe Flowers, Anemone narcissi- 

 florum, Meconopses, &c., can be used effectively, 

 while where the water surface is more ample, 

 and sufficient space is available on the banks or 

 sides of the stream, plants of noble dimensions, 

 such as Gunneras, Bamboos. Polygonum cuspi- 

 datum, P. sachalinense, tSaxifraga Peltata, Rod- 

 gersias, Podophyllums, &c., are capable of 

 effects on the grand scale. 



Another as^Dect of waterside planting is depicted 

 in the photograj)!! taken in the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens at Glasnevin. Here the effect of arboreal 

 vegetation is more emphasised, and even though 

 the season is winter — as seen by the leafless con- 

 dition of the trees — the wonderful effect of the re- 

 flections in the water bespeaks a calmness which 

 finds its reflection in the mind of the observer. 



Though ver}' tall trees, close to a pond such 



as is shown, are rather an evil when lesser 

 plants are grown on the margins or Lilies in the 

 water, yet their presence some distance away 

 adds a charm and dignity to the scene. Dwarf er 

 woody plants, such as the Dogwoods, especially 

 thoseAvith coloured bark, Golden Willows kept 

 cut down annually, and in fact most of our 

 showy flowering shrubs, may be planted closer 

 to the water without injury to the herbaceous 

 plants enumerated above and without inter- 

 fering with the free play of the sun on the water. 



B. 



Primula Listeria 



A FIRST glance at the accompanying illustration 



leads one to 

 surmise that 

 it is a print 

 of P. obcon- 

 ica, which it 

 V e r y m u c h 

 resembles. 



The subject 

 oftheillustra- 

 1 i(m(seep.2o) 

 is of recent in- 

 troduction — 

 coming from 

 the Himalaya 

 — and may be 

 described as a 

 worthy acqui- 

 sition to our 

 de corati ve 

 Primulas for 

 indoor use. I 

 do not think 

 the species 

 can be de- 

 scribed as 

 hardy, al- 

 though I have never seen. tb,e result of any 

 outside trial in connection with P. Listen. The 

 flowers are white and borne in spreading clusters 

 quite early in spring, the pedicles varying in 

 length, thus making the plant more graceful 

 and attractive. The flowers last for a consider- 

 able time in a fresh condition. 



Successful cultivation of the plant is easily 

 accomplished by giving it identical treatment 

 to P. obconica. Its propagation is secured by 

 seeds or division. 



There is a Chmese form of the Primula in 

 question — P. sino Listeri — and it is stated by 

 some authorities to be more amenable to culti- 

 vation in this country. The flowers are also 

 said to be larger, and the whole plant more 

 vigorous, although very vigorous qualities are 

 assets of P. Listeri. 



H. C. Elsdon. 



;l)Kx.s at MorxT I'shek, Co. Wicklow, 



