116 ON THE SCENIC EFFECT OF CERTAIN COMMON PLANTS. 



their stately habit or magnificent foliage, for deformed growth 

 and diminution of size would be in eitlier case subversive of the 

 object in view. Whatever agents, therefore, can be induced to 

 aid the perfect development of the plants, should by all means 

 be made use of in such cases. 



Foremost in the ranks of rich-foliaged plants are several 

 kinds of Rhubarb, but more especially Rheum palmatum and 

 R. Emodi, the former remarkable for its broad, deeply jagged- 

 edged leaves, the latter for its rough-looking, red-tinted foliage 

 of a pointed, heart-shaped figure. The leaves of both acquire 

 considerable size, and whether alone or in company with the 

 spiry flower-stems, are strikingly picturesque. One can scarcely 

 conceive any vegetable form more beautiful than a perfect- 

 foliaged plant of the jialmate Rhubarb, spangled over, as it is 

 sometimes seen, with the sparkling crystals of an Ajiril snow- 

 storm. The blood-red flowers and fruit of R. Emodi, hanging 

 round its tall, upright stem, are also very striking. 



Another very beautifid object — reader, be not startled at the 

 name ! — is the Variegated Kale, with its tall stem, crisped-edged 

 leaves, and elegant variegations. When in full leaf, in form no 

 less than in colouring, it Avould stand out most strikingly in a 

 mixed border of dwarfer and brighter-coloured flowers. 



The Orach, too ! Ln rich soil, how noble in its towering stem 

 and ample green or coloured leaves ! The red-leaved or the 

 yellow-leaved sorts would be sure to " tell," if grouped with 

 almost any other ornamental plants. 



Then there is Maize, with its exotic aspect, which, though 

 not remarkable either for the colour of its foliage or the showiness 

 of its flowers, yet, in its habit and mode of leafing, equals, in its 

 way, the effective "Laurel-oranges" of Trentham. 



The Hemp is another plant of much elegance and grace ; its 

 single, upright stems of 6 or 8 feet high, branched on all sides, 

 bear a profusion of slender, palmated leaves, which give it so 

 graceful an aspect, that it might claim a prominent situation in 

 flower-gardens, and would serve to break up, without harshness, 

 their now too often monotonous surface. 



In situations where shade and moisture were sufficiently abund- 

 ant, some of the larger hardy Ferns would serve a similar 

 purpose. The lovely Lady Fern, the more stately Male Fern, 

 the spreading Shield Fern, and the drooping angular Shield 

 Fern, are especially applicable. Even the common Bracken, if 

 a very vigorous growth could be secured, such as occurs in the 

 sheltered, shady lanes of the South of England, would be found 

 to rival in elegance the most graceful vegetation of the tropics. 



These are but a few of the available materials with which 

 pleasure-ground and flower-garden scenery might be greatly 



